Topic: Health

I have to keep swearing to Chuck that I'm not trying to tour all the hospitals for a multi part series on health care in Mazatlan. It's really not a goal of mine, and there are many things I would rather be doing that lying in hospital beds, like pouring alcohol on paper cuts or attending a live taping of the Jerry Springer show. It's just that fate keeps conspiring against me; well, that and my own stupidity.

The day after I got home from the hospital, Reku decided to get in on the act with an emergency of his own. He somehow managed to torque one of his rear nails off the quick. Well, not completely off, that would have been easier. The nail was still hanging on, just unwrapped from the quick. Ow.

I know a lot of you reading this are cringing in horror at the thought of going for surgery in a Mexican hospital. Many people conjure up a picture of a glassy-eyed bandito type with a knife in one hand and a bottle of tequila in the other getting ready to cut me open. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Last Saturday, I awoke with some stomach discomfort. I figured I was paying the price for the previous night. We went out with friends, drank more than is prudent, and had dinner at a restaurant I had never visited before. The dinner was the kicker: a salami and cheese sandwich and French fries. It was a shock to my system. I have become accustomed to a diet that prominently features fish, seafood, and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Recently, Sweet Tasha gave me the opportunity to investigate the quality of optometrists available here in Mazatlan. I went to Dr. Luis Ramon Ramirez at Galeria Optical located at 1664-A Camaron Sabalo, next door to Supermarket La Isla (GPS: 23 14.876N 106 27.253W) . I chose Dr. Luis primarily because he speaks English. Since this was a medical exam, I felt it pretty important that we understand each other.