(Note: This is a long series of posts of a recent "journey")
Who would have thought upping the exercise and going paleo diet would lead to a long test of the Dominican medical system?
Certainly never occurred to me.
But that's changed. So I thought I'd tell my tale so folks have a better idea what's what here should they need info.
One question often asked by folks about living in the DR is the medical system. I've had a few chances to use it the 7 years living in the DR, a couple of motorcycle crashes, a planned colonoscopy & cardiac workup, but that's it. Nothing really chronic or extraordinary.
................................................
We've gotten some good, solid feedback on a large, 2-year project coming to fruition soon so three months ago I started the grind to actually get back into good shape, lifting weights, a lot of walking, aerobic swimming every evening after dinner and going hardcore paleo. I mean GOOD shape, even for a younger guy. After all, doesn't the camera add like 10-15 lbs? I'm a large human anyway, so I don't need that. And I LIKE serious, hard exercise.
Well, the project and MotoCaribe Tour season was on the horizon, so the mentality was like football Training Camp...
And in two months I'd lost 20lbs. Easily. Felt great and was making serious progress. I especially enjoyed the evening 40+ laps in the pool before going to bed. The sleep had been amazing. I was dedicated to losing much more and was enjoying the process.
But I had a nagging swimmer's ear, not too bad, but it wouldn't go away after three weeks as usual. At the same time I noticed a tiny hard spot below the ear and inside & up the jaw line that when I added firm pressure gave me a minor "electrical" twinge. Nothing serious, but the other side didn't have it. We all---me, Mom CB and Alida--- figured it was somehow all connected.
So I called a motorcycling buddy, a bright ENT @ Clinica Coriminas in Santiago named Andy, and made an afternoon appointment to visit him next time to town.
The day came and we got there at 2pm as suggested and signed in...#8, first-come-first-serve, gave the receptionist my cedula & insurance card. And waited. I actually took a couple of walks to pass the time. No big deal, all we had left to do was a PriceSmart run before heading back up the hill.
4:30 came and finally was my turn. It was both weird and comforting to see a friend in a professional environment. There was no motorcycle chat, all professional medical issues.
Who would have thought upping the exercise and going paleo diet would lead to a long test of the Dominican medical system?
Certainly never occurred to me.
But that's changed. So I thought I'd tell my tale so folks have a better idea what's what here should they need info.
One question often asked by folks about living in the DR is the medical system. I've had a few chances to use it the 7 years living in the DR, a couple of motorcycle crashes, a planned colonoscopy & cardiac workup, but that's it. Nothing really chronic or extraordinary.
................................................
We've gotten some good, solid feedback on a large, 2-year project coming to fruition soon so three months ago I started the grind to actually get back into good shape, lifting weights, a lot of walking, aerobic swimming every evening after dinner and going hardcore paleo. I mean GOOD shape, even for a younger guy. After all, doesn't the camera add like 10-15 lbs? I'm a large human anyway, so I don't need that. And I LIKE serious, hard exercise.
Well, the project and MotoCaribe Tour season was on the horizon, so the mentality was like football Training Camp...
And in two months I'd lost 20lbs. Easily. Felt great and was making serious progress. I especially enjoyed the evening 40+ laps in the pool before going to bed. The sleep had been amazing. I was dedicated to losing much more and was enjoying the process.
But I had a nagging swimmer's ear, not too bad, but it wouldn't go away after three weeks as usual. At the same time I noticed a tiny hard spot below the ear and inside & up the jaw line that when I added firm pressure gave me a minor "electrical" twinge. Nothing serious, but the other side didn't have it. We all---me, Mom CB and Alida--- figured it was somehow all connected.
So I called a motorcycling buddy, a bright ENT @ Clinica Coriminas in Santiago named Andy, and made an afternoon appointment to visit him next time to town.
The day came and we got there at 2pm as suggested and signed in...#8, first-come-first-serve, gave the receptionist my cedula & insurance card. And waited. I actually took a couple of walks to pass the time. No big deal, all we had left to do was a PriceSmart run before heading back up the hill.
4:30 came and finally was my turn. It was both weird and comforting to see a friend in a professional environment. There was no motorcycle chat, all professional medical issues.