And unfortunately Judy and I have decided to head home early to get my Atrial Fibrillation under control. The erratic heart beat isn’t strong enough for my body to clear the fluids and as a result my legs and feet are swollen.
Right now I’m imprisoned in the ICU of the Royal Angkor Internstional Hijhospital in Siem Reap, Cambodia. We flew here this morning with the OAT group. Our insurance, Rebecca and common sense said I should get checked out before flying again. Sure enough, after ECG, blood work and chest X-ray the doc said I should check in overnight, get some Lasix to get the swelling down. So that’s the plan: overnight in the hospital, Lasix tablets tomorrow and fly home Monday. “Just stay overnight,” doesn’t make me comfortable. “One more test, one more night,” is my fear.
The hospital is a marvelously modern, clean and professional building and the staff are modern, clean and professional too. They inspire confidence and their approach is entirely Western.
Western except for one thing: dress. Nurses wear starched caps and thigh-length uniform skirts. No blue jeans and scrubs, no siree.
Western big time when it comes to fees. So far:
Table stakes to see a doc: $110
Lab tests and X-ray: $550
One night in the ICU: $800 down payment
No wonder the doc wanted to book me overnight!
The ICU is surreal. Eight beds in a ward plus six or so private rooms. I was solo in the ward until they moved me to a room (“So you can sleep”). No sound beyond the low hum of the ventilation system. A nurse and an aide. No talking, no phones ringing, no beeps, tiptoes only. Oh, and no TV. Everyone is supposed to bring their phone I guess.
I arrived in the ICU at 26% on my iPhone. Judy’s supposed to bring my charger sometime after dinner (8?). It’s 7:52 and I’m at 5%. My only other form of entertainment is my bedside urinal, which is a man’s best friend when he’s on Lasix. I wonder how much a psych consult runs in this swanky joint.
At any rate, I’ll be fine and home soon. We’ll keep you posted as we go.
Thanks for letting me vent!
