[Post from Beth]
So, readers you may be wondering why there have been no recent entries as you know the ship has gone on through the Panama Canal and on to Nicaragua.
Well, Mary Sherwood couldn’t help herself and created a big brand new adventure! She is now in a hospital bed in Santa Marta and Beth is enjoying a beach hotel that has nearly non-stop partying ??????
No worries as she is recovering well and will have lots of stories to tell. [Editors note: Not sure if this refers to Mary Sherwood or Beth.] Much of this week really has been like being in a living comedy with the cultural and language differences providing an ever evolving opportunity for misunderstandings and slapstick with the ever present edge of worry and family drama.
Mary Sherwood had not been feeling well so dragged herself to the Medical Clinic on the ship as she could not wait for Beth to return to cabin from her trekking excursion and showed up fully out of breath and nearly collapsed. When Beth checked in there was an emergency message to go to the clinic (never a good sign). Mary Sherwood was told she needed to go to hospital as she was experiencing an exacerbation of her COPD and CBC indicated some infection. Telling Mary Sherwood what to do is not always a pretty sight….but with Beth’s support for plan and having to pack everything and then way over an hour of waiting for an ambulance to arrive!
Many agencies become involved and are standing around to assure things get done correctly including the ship ( Doctor and Captain) the country and the Port Agent. Mary Sherwood is whisked away with Beth into the throngs of Santa Marta where there is a major holiday, Dia del Reyes Magos or Three Kings Day. Admission to the Perfect Body Medical Center occurs fairly rapidly and Mary Sherwood is placed in ICU and a hotel room is eventually found( few in city due to festivities) for Beth and another man from the ship whose wife had been taken off ship that morning. These are just a few details, though hopefully enough to give an idea of the many comic elements with tension, drama and human foibles.
The Medical care has been good…. I think? Hard to know sometimes as much is lost in whatever translation can be found. A Google search indicated this country has the least number of English speaking citizens of all of South America. However, we have found Colombians to be friendly, helpful, warm and generous. Mary Sherwood was transferred to a hospital bed today (they call it outpatient) and likely has 3 more days before being discharged and maybe another day or two before flying out of South America.
There are many more hoops to go through before she gets approval to fly and then approval from ships Doctor and the ship’s captain but she’s determined and will get back onboard, hopefully in Los Angeles. Mary Sherwood is again feisty, questioning, making friends with the doctors and nurses (at least the ones who aren’t mean) and will be up and about very soon. She plans to write a few blog entries on her experience so hold on to your hats.
Some pictures to help document below.
Feel better Mary Sherwood! Much love to you.
Thanks Bret! We now know it may be 10 days before Mom is given the Ok to fly. Columbia is not a bad place to hang out
Seems suspicious to me. The two of you in Columbia at “The Perfect Body Medical Center.” So when you come back looking all “relaxed and rested” how will we know you weren’t just getting a little work done? HMMM? Just kidding! I know you’re making the best of it and drinking great Columbian coffee and wine. Maybe some can sneak it’s way into Mom’s room! Take care.
Keep getting better! Thank you for getting in touch and linking me to the blog. ?
How clever of you to plan this blip in your trip to add to the adventure. Sure to be a hit with the NN natives who will be anxious to hear all about your adventure over many glasses of wine.