My father

beaumontdave

abrub said:

When I was pregnant, I was advised to take Iron with Colace

The iron supplements I took also contained a stool softener (Docusate Sodium) to help avoid constipation. Would that be an option for your dad?  If you can't find the combination, perhaps ensuing that he takes a stool softener with his iron might be helpful.

That is what I take now,

That is what I take now, though I start and stop the Colace, depending on how soft things get, but it works for me, taking iron and Colace............................Dave

Butt

i have never been to South America. However, I have been in 30 plus countries. Many not so well developed countries may require you to pay something to a doctor, give Some money to a nurse and buy pre surgery supplies and bring them on a day of a surgery. Those prices are very low in comparison with US ones and US salary. I had a leg injury while in Kosovo for 3 weeks for work. I got all services on a very high level  but I think it was about $350 or so. Well worth it. I suspect some dollars can go a long way in your country.....

Butt

i have never been to South America. However, I have been in 30 plus countries. Many not so well developed countries may require you to pay something to a doctor, give Some money to a nurse and buy pre surgery supplies and bring them on a day of a surgery. Those prices are very low in comparison with US ones and US salary. I had a leg injury while in Kosovo for 3 weeks for work. I got all services on a very high level  but I think it was about $350 or so. Well worth it. I suspect some dollars can go a long way in your country.....

Fayard

Butt said:

i have never been to South America. However, I have been in 30 plus countries. Many not so well developed countries may require you to pay something to a doctor, give Some money to a nurse and buy pre surgery supplies and bring them on a day of a surgery. Those prices are very low in comparison with US ones and US salary. I had a leg injury while in Kosovo for 3 weeks for work. I got all services on a very high level  but I think it was about $350 or so. Well worth it. I suspect some dollars can go a long way in your country.....

Hola Butt,

Hola Butt,

I hope this message finds you well, and everyone else too!

Yes, the dollar is a strong currency, but inflation is completely out of control: in the hundreds of thousands percent per year  The cost of living is almost as much as any city in the US: chicken between $4 and $6, loaf of bread between $1 and $2, toothpaste $3 a medium size tube, etc. This is without mentioning the lack of electricity, water, transportation and others. I support my entire family, and some neighbors, because I am blessed to be able to send money and supplies there. However, the minimum wage is $2 and $5. No one can live with that, not even in South America. One of my sisters died in 2016 from a pneumonia from which she never recovered. She was 53. Her medical insurance covered her expenses for 3 days. She was in the ICU for 7 weeks. I was paying around $600 per day in a private clinic, because most public hospital are infected and don’t have supplies. And you are correct, that is way cheaper than it is here, but most people can’t afford it with $5 a month. It is very depressing, sad and frustrating, but there is nothing I can’t do to change it. I pray every day that no one in my family becomes sick  I am sorry all this sounds terrible, I didn't mean to be negative, it's just reality 

Thank you for your feedback!

Annabelle41415

Fayard said:

Hola Butt,

Hola Butt,

I hope this message finds you well, and everyone else too!

Yes, the dollar is a strong currency, but inflation is completely out of control: in the hundreds of thousands percent per year  The cost of living is almost as much as any city in the US: chicken between $4 and $6, loaf of bread between $1 and $2, toothpaste $3 a medium size tube, etc. This is without mentioning the lack of electricity, water, transportation and others. I support my entire family, and some neighbors, because I am blessed to be able to send money and supplies there. However, the minimum wage is $2 and $5. No one can live with that, not even in South America. One of my sisters died in 2016 from a pneumonia from which she never recovered. She was 53. Her medical insurance covered her expenses for 3 days. She was in the ICU for 7 weeks. I was paying around $600 per day in a private clinic, because most public hospital are infected and don’t have supplies. And you are correct, that is way cheaper than it is here, but most people can’t afford it with $5 a month. It is very depressing, sad and frustrating, but there is nothing I can’t do to change it. I pray every day that no one in my family becomes sick  I am sorry all this sounds terrible, I didn't mean to be negative, it's just reality 

Thank you for your feedback!

Awful

What an awful situation to be in.  I've heard that the citizens are having such a hard time, but just didn't realize how bad medical was there and also how expensive things are for the wages they make.  I'm praying that your father does well.  You sound like a very loving and kind daughter and I'm sure he is proud to have you.  You also are a great caregiver that is trying to desperately help her father in a difficult situation.

Kim

Fayard

Annabelle41415 said:

Awful

What an awful situation to be in.  I've heard that the citizens are having such a hard time, but just didn't realize how bad medical was there and also how expensive things are for the wages they make.  I'm praying that your father does well.  You sound like a very loving and kind daughter and I'm sure he is proud to have you.  You also are a great caregiver that is trying to desperately help her father in a difficult situation.

Kim

Kim,

Kim,

Thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate it!

Fayard

Update

Good morning! 

 

My father finally had the procedure yesterday,

and everything went well!

He still has some brain fogs: he wants to remove the colostomy bag and the catheter.

I hope it is still the anesthesia in his system, since this morning my brother sent me

a video and my father looked fine.

 

For now, he has a bag the hospital actually provided, but it seems to be

universal. I am not sure. It is very difficult to get detailed information.

I am praying that everything continues going well.

 

Thank yo very much for your support!

Annabelle41415

Fayard said:

Update

Good morning! 

 

My father finally had the procedure yesterday,

and everything went well!

He still has some brain fogs: he wants to remove the colostomy bag and the catheter.

I hope it is still the anesthesia in his system, since this morning my brother sent me

a video and my father looked fine.

 

For now, he has a bag the hospital actually provided, but it seems to be

universal. I am not sure. It is very difficult to get detailed information.

I am praying that everything continues going well.

 

Thank yo very much for your support!

Wonderful

I've been thinking about your dad and have been waiting for an update, so this is wonderful news that the surgery went well.  It's very normal to have a foggy head after surgery.  Also, it can be normal for other sensations to not be the same right after surgery for several days, even sometimes a couple months after surgery.  My strength in my hands disappeared a lot after surgery and my husband lost his taste.  Others will also tell you they had things not the same, but eventually it goes back.  Your dad will get back but it might take some time.  Wishing your dad the best in recovery.  Thanks again for the update.

Kim

Fayard

Annabelle41415 said:

Wonderful

I've been thinking about your dad and have been waiting for an update, so this is wonderful news that the surgery went well.  It's very normal to have a foggy head after surgery.  Also, it can be normal for other sensations to not be the same right after surgery for several days, even sometimes a couple months after surgery.  My strength in my hands disappeared a lot after surgery and my husband lost his taste.  Others will also tell you they had things not the same, but eventually it goes back.  Your dad will get back but it might take some time.  Wishing your dad the best in recovery.  Thanks again for the update.

Kim

Kim,
Thank you very much!

Kim,

Thank you very much!

Lovekitties

getting supplies thru customs there

I was reading an article which said it is very difficult to get medical supplies shipped from US to Ven. due to customs authorities there and that many shippers are not sending there.

I am unaware of what travel between South American countries is like.  Is it possible for your brother to go to another country and carry the supplies back with him?  Purchasing in another country might be easier than trying to get them in from USA.

I am glad to hear that surgery went well and wish your father best recovery.

Marie who loves kitties

Fayard

Lovekitties said:

getting supplies thru customs there

I was reading an article which said it is very difficult to get medical supplies shipped from US to Ven. due to customs authorities there and that many shippers are not sending there.

I am unaware of what travel between South American countries is like.  Is it possible for your brother to go to another country and carry the supplies back with him?  Purchasing in another country might be easier than trying to get them in from USA.

I am glad to hear that surgery went well and wish your father best recovery.

Marie who loves kitties

Hola Marie,

Hola Marie,

Thank you very much for your thought!

Yes, it is difficult, but I have been using a shipping company, own by Venezuelans, that has worked well. Bringing goods into the country is also difficult. 

You pretty much have to know someone at the airport and pay that person so customs won't still your stuff. 

Thank you very much again for your feedback!