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Here in the Philippines, if you are in the hospital, they call it being “confined” to the hospital. Kind of sounds like you are in prison or something.
Well, I have done nothing illegal, but I have been confined. Yep, I am in the hospital.
If you recall, a couple weeks ago I told you that I was very sick, and it all started from a bug bite. The bug bite caused me to get a very nasty infection called “cellulitis.” The infection, in turn, caused my arthritis and diabetes to go septic, which nearly killed me a few weeks back.
Since that time, I have been taking 3 different types of antibiotics, and in major quantities. On Sunday, I decided that 4 weeks was long enough to suffer with little relief, so I decided it was time to ask my doctor what we could do to step up the recovery. After discussing my situation, we both came to the conclusion that it was best for me to be admitted to the hospital.
In the hospital, I could take intravenous antibiotics, which are much more powerful and should help me a lot. So, as I write this, I am sitting on my hospital bed on the end of first day of confinement. If everything goes as planned I will be here for 4 days or so.
I feel really good about the care I am getting here. Every member of the medical staff that I have had contact with has been not only competent but also friendly and professional. I feel that the medical treatment that I am getting is second to none.
I will tell you this, it was not easy to get a hospital room in Davao, several that we checked were already full! I guess that is why almost every hospital in town is being expanded right now.
To tell you the truth, I am actually feeling pretty good with the exception of both of my arms and hands… gotta kick this nasty infection once and for all. I will keep you posted.
Good Lord! What kind of insect caused that kind of reaction?
Hi there. Doesn’t take much to get an infection in the Philippines. With the hot moist climate, and abundance of biting insects, such as those biting red ants! Or otherwise. Combined with a history of diabetes, and your more susceptible to infection as well. Cellulites is a nasty and painful infection. Good luck, and glad to hear that the hospital and staff are good!
I guess! I have been to Iloilo a bunch of times and found it to be nearly identical to where I grew up in the U.S., i.e. Miami, Florida. I suppose with a compromised immune system an insect bite could cause some serious problems. I am currently living in northern Arizona, and we have plenty of “bugs” to watch out for here as well (scorpions, black widows, brown recluse, centipedes, etc.). I am seriously considering moving to somewhere on Panay, but, I too have complications from diabetes and a few other things, so I am weighing the factors very cafrefully.… Read more »
Thank you, Dave. This can be caused by any insect. It just depends on what types of bacteria is in its stinger.
Wow! I’d be willing to bet that you got hit by a “redback spider,” which, from what I have read, is found on Mindanao. The redback is a first cousin to the North American black widow and the bite, in some cases can cause all the symptoms you described.
I don’t know. It is not a poisonous bite that I am dealing with, it is the bacteria that was transferred during the bite.
Your comments are spot on!
Uncertain, but likely a spider or mosquito.
we pray you get well soon
Thanks for that!
Glad to hear you are getting good care and treatment feel better soon I am living in Cainta our new home We signed up for Philhealth at least its something my age 59 and having high bp makes it hard to get private insurance
We also have PhilHealth. This will be our first time to see how it works.
Get well soon my friend, please update on philhealth, I’m definitally interrested, have asawa ko and 3 kids I’m considering enrolling, thanks!
Thank you Heinz. I will be writing about PhilHealth and other health related things after I get over this.
Praying for you Bob, in many ways you are an extension of myself. Many of my decisions have been a result of your experiences. Stay strong , I am the fly on your wall who listens and says little.
Thank you, Phillip.
Stay away from starches and sugars. Hope you get better.
Yep! Of course.
Great attitude Bob.Praying for your full recovery.
I appreciate that, Tim.
glad to hear your health is improving, Bob.
Me too, Casey.
Get well soon, Bob. BTW, do hospitals there have wi-fi now?
Not officially, Hector. I am using my cellular data plan. I did notice, though, that the hospital admin office has a wifi network and it is not secured. 😉
Bob, I’m praying you get out of there, FAST! That doesn’t look fun at all! 🙁
Bob..sounds like you’re in great hands!..Get well soon!!
Yes, I agree!
Thank you, Gerry.
Good Morning Bob,
I hope you are feeling better. I was laughing when you made the confinement comment because here if you cannot pay the bill then you can not leave the hospital. Kind of like a ransom demand.
Never considered that!
Hope ya get well soon Bob. I just returned to the states last Friday and unknown to me, I too had a hitch hiker of sorts. I have been on Cipro for the last 5 days due to a what looked to be SMALL but expanding infection on my ankle that started out as ANT BITES. Yup, I was taking some photos down around Caramoan and stepped in it…literally. First Aid was Alcohol, which did work to stop the itch. Seemed to be going away, but upon my return to the US, a rapid fever and low grade swelling in… Read more »
Thanks for sharing that, Joe. Get well soon!
It is nice to know the level of medical care is good. Hope you get well soon Bob. Maybe I will get to meet you in the near future after I get settled in there in Gensan.
Give me a shout, Scott!