Ambulance to the Hospital

Shuli’s day did not begin well. Last night he complained about his stomach feeling upset. Lomo Salado in a remote mountain town was probably not the best idea, especially when you use a bucket on the street to wash your hands. Regardless, the Caldo de Pollo soups was what he wanted for dinner. 

My phone rang shortly after 5am…. Shuli’s called to say his stomach hurt and he needs an ambulance. I went to his room to check on him and he confirmed that he wanted to go to the hospital. I asked the hotel staff to call an ambulance and I woke up Sergio. We would need his translation skills since Shuli doesn’t speak Spanish or English.

The initial concern was apendicitis or a kidney stone. Via Google Translate he expressed he was in the worst pain he had ever experienced. His oxygen level was low, dangerously low - 68%. The nurses put him on oxygen, gave him some pain killers, and called a surgeon. 

Once his oxygen level returned to normal his pain went away. He underwent multiple tests to make sure there were no other problems. Diagnosis - altitude sickness. This may not sound serious, but his oxygen level was so low that his organs were starting to shut down. The doctor explained that he was in pre-pulmonary edema. He will spend the night in the hospital as they monitor him. It’s possible he is released tomorrow. 

Oh, and one quick note about the ride to Cusco. The road through Abancay, Perú - wait, not the road, the main highway - was in such bad condition it was like it survived a war. The riding was difficult: steep uphill, crazy traffic, and the road hardly navigable by 4x4 vehicle.