Wow, what a day. Up at 5am and off to the dentist. I’ll add prices as so many people seem to be interested about health care costs in South America. I told my dentist I was concerned the root canal was bad and my bone infection was spreading to my brain as my ears were killing me and my head felt like it was about to explode. She took 4 x-rays to check all of my jaw bones and didn’t find an infection in the bone. What she did point out is that my sinus aperture was not hollow and was filled with “material”, all my x-rays and appointment was $20.00 She did suggest that I have both of my compacted wisdom teeth pulled and gave me a quote of $175.00 each as they are not visible and require oral surgery. She saw me cringe and told me if I would endure it and do them both in the same setup she would only charge me for one of them.
She suggested I see a Doctor friend of hers immediately about my sinus and ear problems. She sent me to the public hospital in Colon. Colon is the nastiest $-hole I’ve ever been to and was not looking forward to the experience. I suggested the hospital in quatro altos (where all the white people go) and she assured me not to worry as she was sending me to a doctor that she entrusts her children’s health to.
I showed up at Centro Medico del Caribe to meet with Dr. Jorge Angelkos. He spoke okay English and told me his father was Greek and his mother Panamanian. He looked into my ears and informed me of my surfers ear but more importantly pointed out that the membrane between my inner ears and outer ears were very red and inflamed, I have a sinus infection. Anyway, he doubled my dose of antibiotics (1 gram of Augmenton every 12 hours for 14 days and prescribed menaxol and histaclor both of which he gave me for free. My doctor visit was $15.00 and I spent another $18.00 at the pharmacy. He asked me to see him after my charter and asked if I could afford a complete blood work as he likes to know his patients and get me a PSA which I want anyway. All the lab work will be another $80.00 when I get back.
The neti pot is my new best friend and I’m going to use it religiously from this point forward:) It really relievd my sinus and ear pain. If your prone to sinus and allergy problems I highly recommend it.
I’m going to spend most of my new found charter money ($600.00) on myself and health stuff (sorry Splendid). I’m going to get my impacted wisdom teeth pulled (she said it would relieve pressure and make me more comfortable), get a complete blood work, see a specialist about my surfers ear and get a estimate on ear surgery, and go to see an eye doctor for glasses. I really want to deal with the surfers ear as it really aggravates me after being in the water, it’s really hard to clear my ears and as a rusult makes me prone to outer ear infections. I haven’t been in the water for 6 weeks now and it really bums me out.
Anyway, I’m off to the San Blas in the morning, I’m excited :) I’ve been stuck here far too long and this is a really good thing, plus I really need the denero.
I’ll try to post while I’m there but I’ll be busy entertaining my guests and will post pictures and video upon my return in a week.
Cheers everyone.
Peace, Love, and coconuts
Alex