Author: mqholt

[From Mary Sherwood]

Another day, another drama, this one good.

Still happily in hospital bed but got a room upgrade. Double windows!! Trees, sky and mountains in the distance. Same floor Piso 3, but definitely the penthouse suite. Paid for by daylong nebulizer. Tiled bathroom with separate tiled shower. The only problem is they are across the room. Eventually will need to find a way to ambulate over there, wonder if that was part of the plan to incentivize me to walk. No physical therapy yet, hopefully manana!

Even El Mundo mentions “he shall not be named” but more music and fireworks than T.  Luckily it’s all in Spanish and football gets more coverage. People here are confused and don’t seem to know the election was legitimate. It’s way to difficult and trouble to attempt to explain the electoral college, and lots gets lost in translation. Alexander Hamilton not Simon Bolivar!

All in order for Beth’s One Woman March.

We are ready.

Beth is sneaking in excellent Colombian chocolate for me and she is getting superb Colombian coffee somewhere in her explorations. Chocolates are supplementing potatoes three x/day.

I have become a bedpan expert and know the difference between pan and pot, and I can pronounce it!

Beth gets out in the afternoon to explore city as a Night nurse was found to relieve her from 24 hour duty. She brings me stories and observations of the city.

MS

[Dictated again by Mary Sherwood to Beth]

Thanks to everyone for their input and responses which I have I’ve immensely  enjoyed. Especial thanks to John B. And Wythe for your perspective from the barricades and the front line.

Today’s study for all may be found at the website for the Perfect Body Medical Center. When Beth accessed it today it was in English ( for those of you who are not fluent in Spanish) and there are pictures and explanations for their services you may find interesting.

My recovery continues to move in a good direction, with hopes for a hospital room (not ICU cubicle) in  a few days.

Love to all
MS

[All photos taken by Beth]

 

[All photos taken by Beth]

[Dictated by Mary Sherwood to Beth]

Greetings from Santa Marta,

This morning when the doctor came in I heard clearly that my health was deteriorating. Asked Beth when she arrived for noon visitation to remember the phrase “she died in the steamy equatorial jungle of South America;” and then was sort of disappointed to learn that this was not so, instead there was good news. Day after tomorrow I may be promoted to a hospital bed, this means a bathroom!

Temperatures are a little cooler than normal here, last night it got to a low of 79!

The food I get has been splendid, breakfast consists of 2-3 slices of thin cheese, several boiled potatoes,  sometimes a plantain, and always fresh squeezed juice and a heaping bowl of unidentifiable but delicious fruit. Beth is jealous.

Drugs are not a two-way street in Columbia, we understand it is easy to get out though not so easy to come in. Time is spent “making my medicine” as many of my Rx are illegal here. This morning the dear nurse who administers meds, arrived with a new plump pill for which she then gave me the “antidote” to swallow right after….or so she said. Yesterday they gave me too a foul tasting substance and the nurse said “dulce, dulce” for which I said “nasty, nasty.” We gagged with laughter. Beth later learned it was pure Potassium.  I have confidence that the drug making skills here are first rate.  They know what they are doing with drugs here.

Water temperature does not vary whether one turns faucet to cool or hot so my baths are a bit cool, though wonderfully given by thorough and kind nurses.

There is no spoken English here, there is no French, there is no Italian, there is Caribe and Spanish. So at times it’s difficult to really know about my medical status, but it is a fun challenge daily and has afforded some times of hilarity that even rendered the nurses to giggle.

I may not be going around the world but I’m enjoying myself and having my big adventure. Beth, on the other hand has had to struggle with morning  swims in the Caribbean Sea, drinking the best coffee in the world ( wish I could get some) and exploring a lively night scene.

We both feel very supported by a whole cadre of supportive, warm, and knowledgeable people and agencies; Princess cruise line,  the Port Agent, On Call International, insurance agents, and all the many medical professionals.  I have found the health care is excellent (and also seems like it is very inexpensive, according to USA standards.)

I will sign off now, but more stories to follow as my strength improves.

Love to all
MS

[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.

Elizabeth’s adventure today took her to the
Quebrada Valencia Nature Reserve for a hiking tour up to a waterfall.

Well this weekend is one of Colombia’s many holidays (Catholic in its cultural base and the celebration is for the Three Kings) and the reserve was quite crowded with many visitors.

The hike was nice, and went through several streams so water shoes were helpful. Tour guide was great and provided much information about Santa Marta.

A quick side trip to the nearby market and a couple of bags of Cruise Colombian coffee.

Then Elizabeth went back on board.

Ok I know this posting is late but much excitement has ensued.

Pictures will show ship’s arrival early morning to overcast though clearing skies after apparent rain.

Mom is feeling better this morning after taking a bit of a turn for the worse yesterday and chiding to eat her dinner in stateroom.

She had enjoyed afternoon of pampering in spa with a Stone Massage which left her feeling wonderful.

 

(Administrator’s note: I posted this for Elizabeth who is having some difficulty accessing the internet.)

The  Pacific Princess sails from Fort Lauderdale on January 3, 2017. Look below for the complete itinerary.