Upon the completion of a 4-day crusade, my wife noticed a small sore on the side of her neck. Little did we know this would be the beginning of a 3-week scare. That sore turned into three, all on her neck and face. They then made their way to my face, then my thumb. I went to bed one evening with the one on my thumb being the size of a small pimple. When I woke up the next morning it was the size of a boil and my thumb and hand were swollen. I contacted a virtual physician back in the states who recommended that I go pick up some antibiotics. By noon I had red streaks running up my arm from my thumb. The virtual physician stayed in contact with me but by 4 pm he recommended that I seek medical treatment.
The hospital visit was unlike anything you would experience in the states. The place looked as if it were stuck in the 1940s. I was not allowed to proceed back for consultation until I paid that fee. As I lay on the hospital bed they would not draw blood for lab work unless I paid that fee. Once finished they calculated all of the items required for my treatment, you guessed it, pay that bill on the way out the door. I overheard a conversation with the man behind the curtain next to me. He was told to pay the admittance fee or he must leave. The windows were open and mosquitos were in full force. After an antibiotic IV and a heavy dose of Iodine on my thumb, I was released. The visit and meds from the pharmacy ran me about $110 US. The people were very kind and did the best they could considering the circumstances.
