Clinica St. Gabriel is housed in a small building on the corner of Calle Cuarta and Espinoza in downtown Ensenada. Two medical aides were called to
the car. Once they determined that I was too weak to walk they produced a wheelchair and rushed me into a rustic and narrow elevator and into the
bowels of the building. I was deposited in the only hospital bed in room 4, somewhere upstairs a story or two from the surrounding inner city.
Dr Jorge Catalan rushed into the room, introduced himself and began the process of establishing an IV drp from several bottles into my armp. Two
nurses were on duty and they were assisting Dr Catalan when Dr. Rodolfo Munoz, a gastrointestinal specialist entered the scene.
My stomach was feeling nauseous once again and within 30 seconds I had cut loose with yet another large quantity of blood from my stomach. This issue
was at least a quart of blood and covered the entire corner of the room. The nurses cleaned up the mess while one of the doctors began an extremely
painful process of inserting a pair of tubes through a nostril and deep into some pit within my body.
I had assumed in my somewhat deranged state that my bleeding stomach was related to my prior accident. It was, but not in the context I had assumed.
The doctors asked about the specifics of the accident and I described them.
?Did you take anything for pain? Dr. Catalan inquired.
I had taken nothing Tuesday night after it occurred, but the pain was so severe in my back that I began taking Ibuprofen. After several hours I
wasn?t feeling less pain and I added a number of aspirin and 4-6 ounces of rum? I said.
?That?s what caused your bleeding.? Dr. Catalan said. ?You can?t mix Ibuprofen and aspirin together; they eat holes in your stomach.?
Now this was truly welcome news to me. I thought I had somehow run a remote rib or other bone through my stomach; I could not imagine that much blood
in such a short time. For the first time that afternoon I began to believe I wasn?t going to die.
Via the tube entering my body the hospital staff emptied my stomach of all remaining blood. They pumped icy water down the tube and into my stomach.
A smaller tube, inside the larger one, was a return for that same water after it had reached it?s destination. After a number hours of the hydration
process the return water became clear rather than red.
While this process was ongoing we were told I needed two units of blood to replace at least a portion of what I?d lost.
?The bleeding has been arrested.? Doctors?.Catalan and Munoz told me. As the events of the evening drew to a close that hospital staff set up a bed
next to mine for Mary Ann. I was glad she?d be there.
For three days I lay there on my back with tubes everywhere it seemed. I was dehydrated from the loss of fluids but there is some ?setting? time for
the stomach to recover and it must be completely empty during that period. For two days I was thirstier than I have ever been in my life. I could
not have a single drop of water. When the staff came in every several hours to pour ice water into my tube, I could feel the iciness against
tangential conduits of my body and I imagined I was drinking it. But alas I was left totally thirsty and uncomfortable with all the tubes and needles
penetrating me. A personal invasion.
On Friday evening Dr. Catalan checked in for the nth time to see how I was feeling. Perhaps I was so rewarded now that I knew I wasn?t going to bleed
to death that I seemed to feel almost normal except that my back was now the focal point of my entire body. It took me several minutes to get out of
bed and just as many to return. Over the three day stay I consumed a small lemon Jello serving.
?If things continue on track tonight, we can consider letting you out tomorrow, Saturday.? Dr Munoz told me. I was surprised. But I was feeling much
more stable since the bleeding issue had been stopped. The Dr. told me I should have my U.S. physician look at my back. While I had assumed I had
smashed two disks, the doctor didn?t think so. At any rate that biggest and immediate problem with the stomach bleeding had been put an end to.
There was a Baja Authors Book Signing at the Pyramid Hotel starting at noon on Saturday. We?ve attended this every year and it is really a blast and,
even though I was still in extreme pain I had a new book out and not ony wanted to be there but was expected. I had a table and could relax while
visiting. Mary Ann had spent the night at the hotel and she and friends Suzanne and Pete had set things up for the next day. Then she returned to
Ensenada to gather me up, pay the bill and head slowly north.
Saturday morning arrived and I took a shower with all the IV?s still attached and dangling from my arms as I tried to clean up. I dressed in the
clothes I had worn to the hospital. I packed my duffle slowly. It was impossible to bend from the small of my back. But the majority of my
self-perceived life threatening problems were behind me. I was still weak but ready to continue on from there. When I heard Mary Ann?s voice I was
up and pacing, pulling the IV carrier behind me. We were both anxious about the hospital bill as we had a limited supply of cash and the hospital
could not take checks. When we asked for the bill for the three days in the hospital, including both doctors, all the support, medications, etc came
to $768, $350 for the doctors and $418 for the hospital and lab work. I had received two units of blood when I had first arrived. These totaled at
$430. The entire stay, all inclusive had cost just under $1,200. Obviously we were well pleased and I can?t begin to guess what this would have cost
in the US.
Primarily though, even without considering the cost, the doctors and the entire hospital staff was very professional and efficient. I was in pain; I
needed constant attention until that final discharge morning. All my needs were met with smiles and pleasure in the ability of one person?s ability
to help another. The hospital is small; I saw only four rooms that appeared to be for patients. In fact I believe I was the only patient admitted
during my stay there. But much of that impression was based on audible information as it was extremely difficult to venture outside my room.
Once Mary Ann arrived and we had paid the bill, We shook hands with the good doctors Catalan and Munoz and with the entire staff. In my eyes at least
we had been through a lot together. I would not for an instant question the quality of this small hospital in the noisy heart of Ensenada. You don?t
walk away from threatening events without carrying a memory, permanently etched in your soul. And there it was.
The staff wheeled me down to the ground floor and slowly, gently helped me negotiate the climb into Vaca Blanca. Mary Ann drove of course and took it
slowly until I settled into the passenger side front seat. We stopped at a pharmacy north of Ensenada to fill the prescriptions the hospital had
issued. As usual, they were a small percentage of what they would have cost in the US.
On to the book signing at Pyramid Hotel. I wasn?t sure how I would hold up for a full day and night of partying. I knew I had been given guarded
instructions regarding what I could and couldn?t eat and drink. We?d just have to wait and see.
My hat is forever tipped to the good men and women of the Clinica St. Gabriel.
To Be ContinuedSkeet/Loreto - 5-19-2006 at 04:42 AM
Mike:
God Bless you!
I wish you a speedy recovery!
Skeet
Mike--------
Barry A. - 5-19-2006 at 07:07 AM
-------what an incredible story, and such a happy ending!!
And the info on Ibuprofen and Aspirin mixed being a total No-No is worth it's weight in gold-------I, for one, was not aware that you could not mix
them, tho I never have.
And then, you go to the Book Signing!!!!!------ Mike, YOU are da man!!!!! in my book.
You have our prayers for a total and complete recovery.
Barry AshworthBruce R Leech - 5-19-2006 at 07:23 AM
glad you are still on this side of the fence Mike, good story, take it easy.Bob and Susan - 5-19-2006 at 07:28 AM
i thought it was...
taking aspirin and drinking alcohol on an empty stomach that could cause stomach internal bleeding.bajajudy - 5-19-2006 at 08:39 AM
I have been aware of the not mixing aspirin and advil but cant believe that the symptoms came on so fast. I assumed that it was a problem with long
term use...
Yikes scary stuff, Mike.
Glad you made it.
On to the booksigning!Bajalero - 5-19-2006 at 09:03 AM
Mike , interesting story , albeit very unfortunate.
Must say though , that unless you have been abusing aspirin and/or other NSAID's sudden bleeding from the stomach is highly suspect, because of the
trauma you suffered, and should be examined thoroughly. If you are still symptomatic you should be screened for possible splenic or other structure
rupture. I would suggest a facility in the states if you have that available to you
Best of luck
LeroDavid K - 5-19-2006 at 09:38 AM
Thanks for sharing Mike!
You have nine lives for sure!
Was good to see you at the Pyramid!!!
You didn't show any signs of pain you obviously were experiencing!Sallysouth - 5-19-2006 at 10:39 AM
Wow Mike! That is quite a story!! So glad for you that it had a happy ending. You must have someone (thing) looking out for you.....SallyDebra - 5-19-2006 at 10:44 AM
He looks the same to me (mouth open) a little pale perhaps.
[Edited on 5-19-2006 by Debra]Diver - 5-19-2006 at 10:58 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
You didn't show any signs of pain you obviously were experiencing!
Um, you never said what they gave you at the clinic for pain ?!?! Something good to take with you ??
.Mike Humfreville - 5-19-2006 at 11:36 AM
If they were giving me anything for pain it must have been included in the drip. But until the bleeding stopped that was my main fear and I tended to
not make a fus about anything else.Bob H - 5-19-2006 at 12:02 PM
Mike, WOW, what a story! You went through a lot and still made it to the book signing. That shows strong character. Audrey and I hope you have a
speedy and complete recovery from this awful accident.
Bob HMike Humfreville - 5-19-2006 at 12:38 PM
Thanks folks. Things begin to improve from here!capt. mike - 5-19-2006 at 03:11 PM
what did they charge for all of that?Mike Humfreville - 5-19-2006 at 04:13 PM
Transfusions plus all meds, plus private room plus all hospital staff plus 2 doctors all over me for 3 days and total was just under $1,200.Skipjack Joe - 5-19-2006 at 04:59 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Debra
He looks the same to me (mouth open) a little pale perhaps.
[Edited on 5-19-2006 by Debra]
Ouch!
Glad to hear that things are improving. All of this must've been frightening. You want to look forward to a looong retirement and not this sort of
thing.
The cause of all this blood loss seems a bit suspect to me. On the other hand they did stop the bleeding. I agree with bajalero and would do some
further testing stateside just to make sure all the gastrointestinal stuff is ship shape. You can never be too careful with your life. That's my dos
centavos.
[Edited on 5-20-2006 by Skipjack Joe]capt. mike - 5-19-2006 at 05:41 PM
wow that's cheap!
i was in a phx hospital 3 nites 4 days in 2004, post accidente, and it was $19K!!
does/did your insurance cover that? i mean in mexico.
why didn't you go to the states? just curious. i am around mexican health centers off and on, if i thot i was really sick or injured, i'd head for the
states, just my bias. in spite of the costs, USA medical expertise is one of the world's standards IMHO.
Mexico can keep you running though, just like they do miracles with autos!
Capt Mike
Mike Humfreville - 5-19-2006 at 09:43 PM
I had lost too much blood in a halfhours time (by the time I first got settled in the hospital I would guess I'd lost1 1/2 qts of blood and was barely
functional. But as I've said, I respected the hospitalas much in some ways and more in others after my ordeal was over. Also, US Dr. aproved of the
thorough job the Ensenada hospital had done.
Ouch
El Camote - 5-19-2006 at 10:02 PM
holy red upholstery, Mike!
You know, you're a brilliant writer but I think it would be in your best interest to switch to writing FICTION.
You really don't have to experience first-hand the adventures you write about, you know! A hazy story about a friend-of-a-friend, a little medical
research and the next thing you know you could be spitting up a beating heart or a smoking gun or anything you want...in your imagination though!
Seriously, instead of the ibuprofin/aspirin c-cktail try this:
Take ALL 5 pills together every 4-6 hours for pain
from my doc, supposed to have the same therapeutic effect as Vicodin. Not sure about that but it does help with pain.
On second thought, at this point maybe you shouldn't take anything not prescribed by your Doc!
Camote,
Mike Humfreville - 5-19-2006 at 10:37 PM
I stopped all pain pills and have been eating bland foods. So far so good. The back will just take more time.David K - 5-20-2006 at 09:23 AM
Good morning Mike,
Of interest, my web host Dick Van Bree (you know from my Viva Baja parties) emailed me a reminder that Dr. Catalan was also the former mayor of
Ensenada and I had met him at the Ensenada Apprecian Day event at the San Nicolas Hotel in 2002. Doug Means was there as well...
Dick is one of Fred Metcalf's moderators and saw your story posted on Fred's board.
So, your doctor is a very important Ensenada man in even more ways!DanO - 5-20-2006 at 11:11 AM
This whole story proves that most accidents happen very close to home, where your familiarity with your surroundings makes you less vigilant. Good to
see you pulled through it, Mike. I can relate to the thirst thing -- my step-dad recently suffered a burst gallbladder that resulted in peritonitis,
and he was intubated and deprived of fluids for several days as well. When I went to see him in the hospital in Santa Barbara, he said he was so
thirsty he'd pay five hundred bucks for a root beer float!DianaT - 5-20-2006 at 12:36 PM
Thank goodness you were in good hands with losing that much blood. Take care.
