Jamaica; tested their medical facility

Jul-2007

With our children being the same age as my sister’s, and knowing they get along extremely well, we flew to Jamaica for our family vacation in July of 2007. We arrived in Atlanta the day before and ventured to Buckhead for some shopping. The following morning we were all fortunate to be given seats in first class. What a great way to start our vacation.

Arriving mid day, we check into the Sunset Beach Resort & Spa Montego Bay and do our usual recognizance of the layout. The grounds were well manicured and the pool area was very clean but could have used more tanning chairs. The on site “Pirates Paradise Water Park” was surely going to keep our kids busy. The many different areas of the beach had large amounts of space along the shore, while others were quite limited. All in all, everyone was extremely pleased and couldn’t wait to start our vacation routine.

The buffet spread was very tasty and although many stray cats were roaming the grounds, they didn’t bother us at all. Besides, with a sharp movement of the hand, we’d scare them for good. The resort had all the amenities one would expect and as our girls had one another, their confidence in participating in beach games was pleasant to see. From water filled balloon games, to dancing some Caribbean beat at front stage. They kept themselves always occupied. They even had pedal boats which was a perfect way to spend time with the family.

The great thing about resorts is that there are usually different strokes for different folks. While several may want to play mini-putt, one can opt to enjoy a book in tranquility.

The smiles on their faces while sliding down the water slide, the laughter while coming close to a foolish mini putt shot or their behavior of acting their age is what continuously propels me in spending my whole life with my family and children. I know there will soon be a crossroad that they will be on their own, put grasping and trying to freeze these moments is the greatest thing a parent can do.

Getting along with the people you travel is so important that at times can either make or break a full week. We’re so lucky in that all our travel expeditions were always pleasurable, fun and exciting. You definitely have to get along to share a bed with 5 people.

Likewise, smiles and laughter at every dinner table.

Despite being an odd number, it is amazing on how they manage equal splitting of friendship when it can be so easy to simply pair up. Minor adjustments and these young girls figured it out a long time ago. I truly believe their friendship and relationship as cousins are true and genuine.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather as the days were filled with sunshine and the evenings with some breeze. Nightly shows kept us busy and laughter always seems to be in abundance. Typical D’Aliesio family photo taking around the resort to get the children upset and embarrassed.

Two days before our departure, while relaxing on the beach, Anna starts feeling nausea and started to look pale. As several minutes passed, she noticed that her hands seemed to be locked and couldn’t grasp at anything. With more passing seconds, she complained of problems breathing until full blown anxiety kicked in. A vicious circle of not being able to breathe, heart pounding out of the chest, nausea, faint symptoms and hands in a way that she lost control of. I rushed to a local staff member and helped in bringing her to the medical office. The news at the time was even more worrisome. They said we had to bring her to the hospital with one question for me to answer. Do we bring her to a more reputable hospital much further away, or a more run down local one? As time was of the essence, I chose the latter. This couldn’t be happening! All was going so smooth with everyone enjoying their day. Life can easily change in a split second. I round-up the children, sister and brother-in-law, explain our next move and as I rush Anna to the hospital the joyful and happy moments just minutes before are replaced by sorrow, concern and disbelief.

As panic had set in, I find myself shirtless, bathing suit and sandals standing at the admittance desk with Anna being rushed in. If several think that the Canadian medical system needs work and not functioning properly, you’d have no words to describe the hospital we just rushed in. To start, we stood out like sore thumbs, and with every passing moment, we’d see medical staff members bringing in patients as if engulfed in a war. One patient that was rushed in, the medical nurse loudly and frantically yells out that he was stabbed multiple times. Upon the doctor rushing to his bed side, he declares him dead. Fear, confusion and worry filled my thoughts. Was this truly happening. With Anna still in pain and trouble breathing, an Asian doctor presents himself and explains her symptoms may be a case of stomach flu coupled with dehydration. The anxiety that actually worsened upon seeing the hospital was slowly subsiding. The intravenous was slowly hydrating her and as her vitals were becoming normal, it seemed to be affecting me. I rushed to a bathroom nearby to my disbelief had no door, no toilet paper and as filthy as an out-house. When one is in pain, cleanliness surely takes a back seat. After vomiting and doing my business, it was clear that the North American standards are not followed in this particular medical center.

All along this was happening, I couldn’t help think of the stories I’ve heard that if one is in a foreign country using their medical facility, they would have to pay the services rendered up front and reimbursement will happen later in their home country. Whether it was true or false, I was soon going to find out. As Anna’s health returned to normal and given the permission for a discharge, the clerk in questioning us on how the service will be paid, the emergency door swings opened like in an old saloon and all we see was Robert who notions he’ll pay it. The timing was impeccable and the laughs returned.

While Anna and I were at the hospital, Robert was working with the local hotel management regarding her condition. Also unsure of the payment options, and knowing both Anna and I had no wallet, Robert collects his vacation money and heads to the hospital with the hotel representative.

The story did have a happy ending and the medical services were paid by the hotel we were staying at. Seeing the report from the doctor mentioned possible food poisoning, the resort was kind enough to give us a free week stay which we never took advantage of.

The incident did make us realize on how things can change in a heart beat and how important it can be to travel with others. A sense of comfort, confidence and able to help one another is truly a blessing.