I was in ICU for about two hours while the paperwork and payments were made and then transferred up to “suite.” The suite was actually larger than the ICU – a private room with a pull out love seat so Pat could stay the night along with a full bathroom. As we settled into the room, when a hospital worker would bring something (such as towels, sheets, etc) our school nurse would discreetly hand them a little “baksheesh” or tip (such as a LE or two). We don’t know if that is regularly done or not.
During the remainder of the day, they would wheel me to various parts of the hospital for tests (ultrasound and echo cardiogram). They transported me to an imaging center by ambulance in order to have a CAT scan of my chest. Fortunately, all the tests proved to be fine and they felt the cause of the problem was probably a pinched nerve causing the numbness and the heart discomfort was probably due to anxiety. The experience in the hospital was interesting. ICC seems to be a very good hospital. It is clean and reasonably well equipped, although somewhat dated by western standards. The nursing staff seemed intent on making our stay as pleasant as possible. We did have some communication problems at times after our school nurse left, but nothing that we couldn’t work out. The staff was very intent on making our stay as pleasant as possible. They kept asking how everything was and I am sure they wondered why we would come to a hospital in Alexandria, since we were from the States. We had to keep explaining that we did live here and that is why we came. The nurses were all very polite and would say they were sorry if they had to give me shot or take blood.
By early the 2nd day, we were anxious to get home and were able to convince them to discharge us after a visit from the cardiologist. A driver and our school purchaser came to take us back home but it took a while for the paperwork to be completed and for the hospital to have assurances that someone from the school would come back later in the day to pay for the remainder of the stay. We were sure glad to get back home.
Friday evening we had a residents cookout – complete with steak, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob. We wanted to prepare and serve the meal to the kitchen staff in appreciation for all that they do for us. But in the end, they let us grill the meat and serve them, but they prepared all of the rest of the food and wouldn’t let us clean up afterwards. Our kitchen staff is truly wonderful. They work very hard to try to please each of us and remember our likes and dislikes. Those of you who have visited here know what we mean when we say that our kitchen crew truly treats us royally! Every time we have lentil soup (my personal favorite), they bring out a larger bowl for me. We thank them after each meal but often wonder if they really know how much we do appreciate what they do for us.
