Medical Problem

It started with a hiccup.  In Namibia.   

In St Helena it became a physical chest pain when swallowing, occasionally.  In Salvador it developed into a real problem, enough to be sent to emergency clinic.  Some meds prescribed and told to get an endoscopy if no improvement.  We were about to head slowly to Rio de Janeiro so big city,  good place to get medical treatment if needed. 

The difficulty in swallowing became a cannot swallow, from a constricted esophagus.  Apparently it is quite rare.  First Gastroenterologist, first endoscopy (please fast for 12 hours before the endoscopy, um,  what part of cannot swallow...? ).  Need a dilation at another Gastroenterologist, but hospital immediately to get rehydrated.  We were so unprepared for what happened next.  Hooked up with a drip and told to wait for a tomography.  Naively we planned to check into a hotel for the night if we got out of the hospital late as it is a 3 hour bus ride back to the boat.  No overnight bag, no change of clothes, no toothbrush, but its just one night.  John was discharged 10 days later!  It was an eternal wait for the scan followed by another endoscopy to find the cause of the esophagitis and ensure that a dilation was possible.

You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.  Welcome to the Hotel California.

With a second Gastroenterologist now, first dilation done (please fast before the procedure ... ok ...). 

We will be renewing our visas for Brazil.  Anchored on a river just outside Itacare, a pretty small town south of Salvador.  

Sheltered anchorage at Itacare

Pretty street in Itacare

Night lights

Going ashore for groceries and the laundry