Just going to a doctor or hospital here is different from what is normal practice in America. Here a doctor has his hours posted and it is a first come, first serve basis. Then if the doctor is late, has an operation or even needs to do hospital rounds, you just wait. If you need lab tests, you go to the lab, wait for the results and bring them back to the doctor.

If you are admitted to the hospital, you need to have watchers available. A watcher is a friend or family member that will take shifts staying with you in the hospital room. If your doctor prescribes a medicine, the watcher will take money and go to the pharmacy in the hospital to have it filled. If the hospital is out of the drug, your watcher will have to go to a pharmacy that has that drug in stock.

When it is time to be released, if the doctor is not on duty and is unavailable to come in, you will need to stay an additional day until the doctor can sign your release. Another doctor is not allowed to sign your release, unless arraignments were made to sign your release.

An expat I knew had a heart attack and went to Davao Doctors Hospital. Davao Doctors hospital is supposed to have the best cardiac care unit in Davao. A day hours after his surgery, I am not sure how long actually, he died. I do not know the complete story.

Some think about moving to the Philippines and live in the Provinces. They like the fact it is more rural and quiet and a lot cheaper to live there. The problem moving to a remote area is services such as landline phone, internet, shopping and medical. Even the urban areas in the Provinces can have less in availability and services.

I have a friend who spends the weekdays in Davao and the weekends with his wife and child in the Provinces. The area he lives is next to Kidapawan, which is more like a small city. A week ago, he felt pain in his lower abdomen. He went Saturday morning to the doctor and the doctor prescribed some medicine. The next morning his pain became sever and went to the hospital. He was suffering from Diverticulitis and it looks like it became infected and burst. His blood pressure was extremely low and the needed to operate. As I was told, because of the low blood pressure, they were afraid of using anesthesia so they operated on his intestines while he was conscious.  The hospital needed some medicine that was only available in Davao and before it arrived, my friend passed away.

Since most of the expats that move to the Philippines are in their retirement ages, we need to realize that as we get older, more medical problems can develop. Will your problem be able to be cared for correctly here? What happens if it cannot? These are things to consider, especially if you are not living in a more developed city.

Because of the location it was decided Elena would need a hysterectomy. She was admitted last Thursday evening into San Pedro Hospital.

Now I do not know about all hospitals in the Philippines but I have heard from other circumstances a lot of hospitals work this way. They figure out the cost of the room stay and the operation costs and that must be paid before checking in.

Elena also had to go to the Red Cross office and purchase 2 units of blood and bring them to the hospital when admitted.

During the stay, if there are any medications needed, the patient gets the prescription and someone staying with her has to go to the hospital pharmacy and pay for the medication.

There is also a tradition in the Philippines of having 24 hour a day family or friend coverage in the room with the patient. They are called “Watchers”. Watchers stay in the room, run to pharmacy, help the patient, call for a nurse if needed and keep the patient company. As shits change they also bring food from home to feed the watchers, visitors and even the patient.

The first night, the evening before the operation, Elena was in a ward. There are about 6 beds in the room with curtains to give privacy. When I saw the beds, I was reminded of old World War II movies where you see the hospitals. It was the type where the 2 ends have hooks and the spring platform attaches to the ends. Some wards have Air conditioners and some do not. Prices vary do to this choice.

The next day, after the operation, Elena was moved to a private room. This room was better. There was a wall air conditioner, a small TV on the wall. The bed was bigger and the head could be raised. Not remotely but with a crank at the foot of the bed. The bathroom was nice and clean. I had looked at meals. They are probably fine for the Filipino palate but it looked unappetizing to me.

The nursing staff was plentiful since it is a teaching hospital. They would come in and take vitals often and were available if needed.

There is very little parking near the hospital but there is a mall across the street with a multi-level parking so I would park at the mall. I had to remember to move my car before the mall closed with is 8PM Sunday -Thursday and 9PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Elena was supposed to be released on Sunday but her doctor never came to visit and sign the discharge forms so Elena had to stay until Monday.
Elena is doing well and not in much discomfort. At times she gets dizzy so it is good we still have the walker from her mother. Elena uses the walker as a safety as she moves around the house.

I am so thankful for our nieces for staying round the clock at the hospital and one would come home with me to open the gate to park the car at home. This is because we are on a main thoroughfare with no shoulder. With all the traffic I need someone to open the gates and stop traffic. Most main roads do not have shoulders to park on.

Also I am thankful for my new bosses. They let me leave when necessary and not have to work a full day on Saturday.

Elena’s cell phone has also been busy throughout this ordeal and still with text messages from friends seeing how Elena is doing.

Elena has the sweet personality to make friends with most people she meets and most are so caring too.

Now we are just watching the recovery times and I know soon Elena will be back to her same self.