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Confined

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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.

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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.

Posted in

Bob Martin

Bob Martin is the Publisher & Editor in Chief of the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine. Bob is an Internet Entrepreneur. Bob is an American who lived in Mindanao from 2000 until 2019. Bob has now relocated back to the USA.

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DaveR
DaveR
9 years ago

Good Lord! What kind of insect caused that kind of reaction?

David
David
9 years ago
Reply to  DaveR

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!

DaveR
DaveR
9 years ago
Reply to  David

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 »

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  DaveR

Thank you, Dave. This can be caused by any insect. It just depends on what types of bacteria is in its stinger.

DaveR
DaveR
9 years ago
Reply to  MindanaoBob

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.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  DaveR

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.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  David

Your comments are spot on!

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  DaveR

Uncertain, but likely a spider or mosquito.

Rich N Colita
9 years ago

we pray you get well soon

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Rich N Colita

Thanks for that!

Arnie E
Arnie E
9 years ago
Reply to  MindanaoBob

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

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Arnie E

We also have PhilHealth. This will be our first time to see how it works.

Heinz Schirmaier
Heinz Schirmaier
9 years ago
Reply to  MindanaoBob

Get well soon my friend, please update on philhealth, I’m definitally interrested, have asawa ko and 3 kids I’m considering enrolling, thanks!

MindanaoBob
9 years ago

Thank you Heinz. I will be writing about PhilHealth and other health related things after I get over this.

Philip Nell
9 years ago

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.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Philip Nell

Thank you, Phillip.

rick miksell
rick miksell
9 years ago
Reply to  MindanaoBob

Stay away from starches and sugars. Hope you get better.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  rick miksell

Yep! Of course.

Tim Torres
9 years ago

Great attitude Bob.Praying for your full recovery.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Tim Torres

I appreciate that, Tim.

Casey Kyne
9 years ago

glad to hear your health is improving, Bob.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Casey Kyne

Me too, Casey.

Hector Santos
9 years ago

Get well soon, Bob. BTW, do hospitals there have wi-fi now?

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Hector Santos

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. 😉

Gerry Cordero
9 years ago

Bob, I’m praying you get out of there, FAST! That doesn’t look fun at all! 🙁

Bill Rosko Jr
Bill Rosko Jr
9 years ago
Reply to  Gerry Cordero

Bob..sounds like you’re in great hands!..Get well soon!!

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Bill Rosko Jr

Yes, I agree!

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Gerry Cordero

Thank you, Gerry.

Tom Ramberg
Tom Ramberg
9 years ago

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.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Tom Ramberg

Never considered that!

TIto Joe
TIto Joe
9 years ago

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 »

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  TIto Joe

Thanks for sharing that, Joe. Get well soon!

Scott D
Scott D
9 years ago

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.

MindanaoBob
9 years ago
Reply to  Scott D

Give me a shout, Scott!

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