Health
Clinic in Nargana, San Blas, Panama
Thursday
22 May - Sunday 1 June
Thursday
we wake to a sunny day, with no wind it seems even more hot &
humid. After Steve's afternoon treatment we walk around the village
to stretch our legs. Friday morning Steve goes in at 7 AM, it is a
busy day at the clinic but Steve sees the doctor to tell him he is
not seeing / feeling any improvement. The Lab guy is back, so they
send him over to get blood work and a urine sample and tell him to
come back at 1 to see the doctor when they get the results. We both
go back in at 1, and first see the nurse who has been giving him his
IV injections, he calls Steve over to remove the IV then we go into
see the doctors and the nurse. His urinary infection is really bad,
normal is 0 to 3 and his level is 35. After reviewing his old lab
work with more attention they change his antibiotics. Another pill
and another IV twice a day, this one for the next 10 days. “Shakes”
as Steve likes to call him, puts in another IV connection to start
him on the new medication. The doctor tells us Steve will do another
urine test the following Wednesday to see if there is any
improvement, if there is Steve will continue with the treatment, if
not we will go to Panama City so he can see a specialist.
Saturday
morning we both go in, Steve gets his treatment and we bring gifts
for the 3 staff who have been helping us to show our appreciation.
Another busy day at the clinic, they have a prison here on this
island and today they bring 9 young male prisoners over to see the
doctors. After Steve's treatment we go get some fruit & veggies
and bread from the local stores. Back to the boat, since we will
be here longer then we originally thought, we decide to move the boat
from the east side between the islands and the mainland to the north
west side. Looking for a better breeze and less bugs. We get
re-anchored and the water is clearer, have a better breeze and less
bugs, but without the “big” island(s) blocking the waves, it is
a little rolly. A good trade off in my opinion. After Steve's 4 PM
treatment we talk to Bill & JoAnne again updating them on the
situation. They have been in contact with 2 other boats they knew
and who have been in the area for a while so were getting advise on
how to get to Panama City, where to stay, and doctor recommendations
if needed.
Sunday
morning while Steve goes into the clinic, I do some laundry. First
time to hand wash sheets and pillow cases and they turned out very
clean. We have plenty of extra sets, but then I would just have a
big pile of dirty laundry in the way so I figured this way was the
best. So hand washing sheets it was. Sunday afternoon Steve is the
only one at the clinic getting his dose of medication, they are
really giving him good treatment. The village is quiet, except for
the ball courts and fields where the kids are out playing.
The
next week goes by SLOWLY. Daily 7 AM & 4 PM, later moved to 5
PM, visits to the clinic and not much to do in between or afterward.
Steve had the IV stint in his left hand to begin with, with the
second location one afternoon the fluid started going into his arm
instead of the vein. They took the IV stint out of his very swollen
hand and arm, so swollen he could not even make a fist. Massaging it
and keeping it elevated over night to try to absorb the fluid. The
following morning they have to put in a new IV, his left hand / arm
is still too swollen so they have to use his right hand. Steve is
not happy about that since it would limit his mobility even more, so
they place it up above the wrist. This winds up being a good
location as it frees both his hands. He still can not get it wet, and
has to be careful not to hit it against anything. There are a few
tienda's / “stores” that we visit every few days to see if they
have gotten in any good fruits or veggies. It is very hit or miss,
mostly miss on what is available. The water surrounding these
islands is not swim-able, the NW side is clearer and has less trash
floating around BUT according to the 2013 census in the doctors
office Nargana has 850 people (age 1 month to 70+) living on it &
Corazon 500. There are only outhouses, all located right over the
water so swimming is out of the question for us.
The
highlight of the week came on Monday when Bill & JoAnne take the
4 mile dinghy ride over from Green Island where they are now
anchored. They had met back up with another boat Joanna, who
they knew well from Grenada. We also knew them but not as well, they
have been here in the San Blas for 2 years. They were all coming
over to Nargana to get some fruits & veggies and wine. It was so
wonderful to visit with them all. The ladies from Joanna, Kathy
& Maria know the area well and were confirming the info passed on
thru Bill & JoAnne on getting to Panama City if needed. This is
a get in get out island for most, so after their shopping and a stop
for a beer we said goodbye as they went back to Green Island. The
other boats that have come & gone in the anchorage seem to either
be picking up / dropping off visitors or waiting for owners to
return, as we have not seen any other cruisers on the island when we
were there.
On
Wednesday Steve got another urine & blood test & both results
are showing very good progress. The urine bacteria count that was at
35 is now down to 10, still have to get below 3. We make the
decision to stay here for 4 more days and continue with the
treatments he is receiving, and not go to Panama City at this time.
Between JoAnne & Bill gathering information and us checking web
sites we have all the info we need to go to Panama City if and when
we should need it.
By
Saturday 5/31 all the other boats are gone, we are the only boat left
anchored out.
Sunday,
hard to believe it is the first of June. We managed to do a few
minor boat chores during our time here but we are SO ready to get
away from this island. Steve gets his last two IV injections, still
has a few more days of pills, and will need to come back on Wednesday
(via dinghy) for another urine & blood test.
ALL
of Steve's care and medicine has been at NO COST !!!
We had heard when you fly into Panama, you get a form so your 1st
month has free medical care. We did not fly in and did not have the
form, but they treated us for free just the same.
Monday
we will leave and go to Green Island to spend the day swimming in
the water.
