Retina Surgery

The two laser treatments to correct my retinal detachment didn't work.  My Ophthalmologist on Bonaire called her associate in Curacao to get me into surgery pronto.

The wheels of the island medical care usually turn slowly.  Not this time.  The government insurance agency booked a flight for me and Rick within 48 hours to Curacao. 

Bonaire has good medical care and a hospital full of specialists.  However, some things have to be done by experts in Aruba, Curacao or Columbia. There is an agreement in place that all the  Dutch Caribbean islands share medical care and specialists.  So they send patients to where the best doctor is located. I was in surgery within 24 hours.

The government insurance pays for everything  and arranges for everything you need while you are away. They book the airfare for you and a companion.  The transport company picked us up at the Curacao airport and took us to a wonderful hotel in the heart of Willemstad. The transport company took us to doctors office and on to the hospital and back to the hotel after surgery (which was outpatient). The insurance also deposits a daily stipend in your bank account to pay for meals. All of this is completely paid for through the medical insurance we have as part of the benefits of being residents of Bonaire.  

Everything was perfect.  The surgery was done exactly like I had it done in the States.  A gas bubble is placed in your eye to hold the retina in place while it heals from surgery.  This requires you to lay still for a week with your head back to keep the bubble in place on the retina. I spent a week recovering in the hotel.  

Usually they don't want you flying after the gas bubble is placed in your eye.  The doctor prescribed specific instructions for the airplane.  I realize its in Dutch but it says to fly in an

non-pressurized airplane.

The insurance agency has medical transport planes that shuttle patients to and from the islands.  The plane they booked for me was a pressurized model.  The airport doctor, the onboard nurse and the pilot all confirmed that the medical transport was pressurized and advised against travel. I really didn't want the gas bubble expanding in my eyeball causing excruciating pain.  I declined the flight and asked to be flown in a non-pressurized cabin as the prescription stated. Much to their credit, within 2 hours they had me on an old prop plane that was not pressurized and only flies at an altitude of 3,000 feet.

The Divi Divi (airlines) plane is a rattle-bag old turbo prop plane that takes about twenty minutes to fly from Curacao to Bonaire. It's all open and you can see directly into the cockpit.  It's loud, its been well used, and the seats are tiny... but it is non-pressurized just like the doctor ordered.

During the flight, my bubble did expand  and caused some pressure to my eye and my eyesight went dim for about 15 minutes of the flight.  We returned back home safe and sound. 

How nice it was to have a companion to help me through this surgery.  Rick was a dream.  He took care of everything for the week.  I relied on him completely through my recovery.  I am so thankful he was with me during this "adventure?".