Any Extra X-Ray Machines Out There?

One of the disadvantages of living in a more isolated place in Baja is the lack of many services----in this case, an x-ray machine.

With getting older, I do realize that one needs to be a little more careful than in the younger years,.

So while I was unpacking and not being more careful, I tripped and my nose crashed into the tile floor---the floor won, nose fractured. Never knew so much blood could come out of a nose! Good news, my glasses did not break; bad news, they cut the side of my nose..

We only went to the local hospital because I thought they might be able to close the gash on the nose----I was thinking I was only badly bruised, not broken. The doctor said an ex-ray was very important and soon. They suggest Santa Rosalia as there are more different doctors available there, but it is further away than Guerrero Negro.

So with the weather so nasty, off we went to Guerrero Negro. Especially coming back as the sun was setting, the drive was not fun---sun in eyes and lots of blowing sand on the road to hide the returning pot holes. Fortunately, there is only a couple of miles where they are quite deep, but they are digging out again.

Very nice people and great service in Guerrero Negro----there is a fracture, but fortunately it is in place. Surrounding area is beginning to look like a rainbow.

It sure would be nice to have an x-ray machine here in town----anyone have an extra one they can bring on down?

Wow. Hope you are feeling better and glad to hear that no major problem with the broken nose. It is good that you got the x-ray and nothing more than the fracture showed up.

Figured I better put a in the post.

[Edited on 2-3-2011 by BMG]

No photos??

Sounds like you are very lucky, what with just the nose injury. Coulda fractured your skull.

Never thought about the idea that a hospital could exist without such basics as an x-ray machine.

Those will put out as much x-ray in 1 minute as they will allow a power plant worker to get in 1 year. But your mom could look through your foot!!!

Weren't those old foot x-ray things outlawed because of the radiation hazard??

And yes, I was kidding, DT!

Brings me to a thought your unplanned tumbled gave me. While it's pretty obvious to all around here that view your posts that include what seems to be almost non-stop travel by you and John, this isn't the first time it's occurred to me that there are probably too many old farts that live in denial about their infirmities brought on by aging, but yet continue to play chicken by heading out into remote places.

I'm not including you amongst that group. Just saying that I've seen quite a number of stories, both first hand and on line involving people who should be more honest with themselves about what their limitations are.

So, while you are probably feeling a bit of discomfort, and are not ready to pose for any family album photos right now, I have to believe this same thought may have crossed your mind.

A word to the wise, Diane.... stay off the ladder, allow someone else to paint

I am sorry to hear of your injury, am glad you're gonna recover. Get well soon.

nena

Diana,

I am very sorry about your face plant. Good news that it was a local break and should heal soon. You are lucky that you were able to stop the bleeding.

I had to drive myself the half hour to the ER in Grass Valley with a nose bleed that was hemorrhaging. That is the first nosebleed I have ever had. (It happened last August).It was scary! I carried a towel in my left hand and held it over my nose. It was splattering on my shirt and pants too. I drove with my right hand. I had to keep stopping every five minutes to open the door and spit the mouthfuls that was backing down my throat and into my mouth.

When I got there a nurse put a plastic clothespin type thingy on my nose and then made me wait for 1 1/2 hours for my turn to get treated. They gave it a chemical cauterization and a spritz of nose spray (which Medicare disallowed...the bill the hospital sent me was for over $50.00 just for the nose spray and the small plastic tube the doctor used to stick in my nostril to dab the chemical on the lesion.) They charged Medicare $900+ for the chemical, the plastic clothespin and the visit.

Dennis,
We used to play in those foot Xray machines in shoe stores when we were kids. I think that overexposure will come back to bite us in our older years.

Diana,
I hope you are starting to feel better now.

Mike, yea, doubt an x-ray machine will happen anytime soon. What is really difficult is for many of the locals when they or a child need an X-ray----it is not a cheap trip considering the price of gasoline!

Dang, those foot x-ray machines were fun way back then. Getting new shoes was not as exciting as getting to use those machines---and they were such a bad idea. Surprised that many of us do not have feet that glow in the dark.

Tony, driving yourself to the hospital under those circumstances had to be AWFUL.

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT Mike, yea, doubt an x-ray machine will happen anytime soon. What is really difficult is for many of the locals when they or a child need an X-ray----it is not a cheap trip considering the price of gasoline! Dang, those foot x-ray machines were fun way back then. Getting new shoes was not as exciting as getting to use those machines---and they were such a bad idea. Surprised that many of us do not have feet that glow in the dark. Tony, driving yourself to the hospital under those circumstances had to be AWFUL.

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd No photos?? Sounds like you are very lucky, what with just the nose injury. Coulda fractured your skull. Never thought about the idea that a hospital could exist without such basics as an x-ray machine.

no photos is good for now thanks. Glad you weren't alone and didn't get knocked out cold. Faces never win against floors. I think when you're talking head x-rays though, you might want a machine that didn't get there bumping along that road you just took. You may be better off not getting one and waiting another day, than getting zapped and glowing in the dark. My vet in Rosarito had a huge portable x-ray machine wheeled into his office (it came in through the front door) to check out a Lab puppy that ate a rock. The machine was in mint condition- maybe Korean war era? It still used the old-style plates. Very old style. Glad you're Ok. Portable X-ray for Dog Stomach-OK; portable X-ray for for your brain- not so much...

That sucks!!! Hope you back to your "normal" soon.

Sounds like you have provided a lot of good assistance and progress has been made in your area. Santa Rosalia is where the local clinic suggests people go as they say there are good doctors there. Donations of any type can be such a problem, especially with customs.

I imagine that serious medical care for the rural areas will continue to be a problem for a very long time, and it is something to think about when people visit or choose a rural area for a home.

My accident, while very bloody, was not that serious in the overall picture----getting to Guerrero Negro was an inconvenience, and if the head doesn't clear in a couple of days, we will head for more care.

Just one of many stories. A couple of years ago a friend fell on the cement while playing soccer and broke his ankle----very serious breaks. From here he was filled with pain meds and taken to GN and then from there, filled with more pain meds and taken to Ensenada. His situation was not life-threatening, but it was a very long painful trip with a foot pointing in a direction it is not meant to point.

For any serious treatment, the locals need to go to Ensenada, La Paz, Tijuana, or for some things, the mainland. Guerrero Negro or Santa Rosalia can handle more things than the very small hospital here, but they are also rather limited.

Just things to consider about the reality of living in the rural areas.

Me? all ladders have been locked in the bodega for now.
And bajabass, with the way my nose feels, when I read about what you did when you broke your nose, it really gave me the shudders-----OUCH, OUCH

Diana, I only did it so that I would not have to make a trip to the local hospital! I may have married a doctor, but I hate hospitals with a passion, and I'm cheap. Get well soon!!!