Ocean View Marina
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
We have now been back on the boat for two weeks. Always nice to be back in your own space and not be living out of bags. We both suffered a bit of jet lag especially Kathy who for several days would be up at 2 am and take naps from 3 to 7 pm. We are both back to normal hours now.
My surgically repaired knee suffered from the 25 hours in transit with my lower leg and ankle swollen for 2 days.
We have managed to get a few things done since our arrival back. First was lots of cleaning for Kathy and storing stuff brought back for me. I am still under the doctors orders of trying to keep my leg reasonably straight until the incision fully heals. It's real tough to do many projects keeping on leg straight. When I am able to get back to bending I'll be starting on my therapy again. I will then still be restricted to not kneeling for another 4 months. Somehow we'll manage to get the boat ready to head off to Palau.
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Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
DELAYED DEPARTURE
Huntington Beach, Calif.
USA
At this time we were supposed to be winging our way back to the Philippines and our boat in Holiday Ocean View Marina on Samal Island. Instead I am reclining on a couch with my recently replaced right knee elevated and wrapped in a bandage.
Late Friday afternoon Kathy and i noticed some redness surrounding a small area on the healing incision, nothing serious looking but something to keep an eye on. Saturday morning brought an increase in redness. Having lived on a sailboat for the last seventeen years we are always very careful of possible infection in what begin as small cuts . With the increased redness on Saturday we first started on a course of antibiotics and put in a call to the doctor. A call back from the doctors office confirmed the start of antibiotics and that we should come for a visit on Monday morning.
Come Monday prior to our doctors visit Kathy and I felt the redness had decreased and that later that night we would be on our way back to the Philippines. The doctor had another view. He advised that we stay here, continue on the oral antibiotics which he doubled the dosage of, added a three times daily application of Bactroban, an antibiotic ointment and rest with my leg elevated. I may have not always done what I was told but I do follow doctors orders.
Flights have now been cancelled and yet to be rescheduled, emails sent to the marina cancelling a ride from the airport and another to the girl taking care of our cats aboard the boat.
For now I will remain in my reclined position, following doctors orders until we visit again next week.
USA
At this time we were supposed to be winging our way back to the Philippines and our boat in Holiday Ocean View Marina on Samal Island. Instead I am reclining on a couch with my recently replaced right knee elevated and wrapped in a bandage.
Late Friday afternoon Kathy and i noticed some redness surrounding a small area on the healing incision, nothing serious looking but something to keep an eye on. Saturday morning brought an increase in redness. Having lived on a sailboat for the last seventeen years we are always very careful of possible infection in what begin as small cuts . With the increased redness on Saturday we first started on a course of antibiotics and put in a call to the doctor. A call back from the doctors office confirmed the start of antibiotics and that we should come for a visit on Monday morning.
Come Monday prior to our doctors visit Kathy and I felt the redness had decreased and that later that night we would be on our way back to the Philippines. The doctor had another view. He advised that we stay here, continue on the oral antibiotics which he doubled the dosage of, added a three times daily application of Bactroban, an antibiotic ointment and rest with my leg elevated. I may have not always done what I was told but I do follow doctors orders.
Flights have now been cancelled and yet to be rescheduled, emails sent to the marina cancelling a ride from the airport and another to the girl taking care of our cats aboard the boat.
For now I will remain in my reclined position, following doctors orders until we visit again next week.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
REHAP OF THE NEW KNEE
Vista, Calif.
USA
I am now three weeks post operation for the installation of my new right knee. The first weeks were spent with Kathy's son and his wife and the three grand boys, thanks JJ and LOri, in Huntington Beach consisting of lots of walks and in house physical therapy.
We have now move on to Kathy's parents in north San Diego county and I am scheduled for my second out patient physical therapy later today. Progress is slow on getting back range of motion in my knee but it is forward.
Later this week we are off to visit our old cruising friends John & Renee no longer of "Scarlett O'Hara" but still living aboard a boat in San Diego.
USA
I am now three weeks post operation for the installation of my new right knee. The first weeks were spent with Kathy's son and his wife and the three grand boys, thanks JJ and LOri, in Huntington Beach consisting of lots of walks and in house physical therapy.
We have now move on to Kathy's parents in north San Diego county and I am scheduled for my second out patient physical therapy later today. Progress is slow on getting back range of motion in my knee but it is forward.
Later this week we are off to visit our old cruising friends John & Renee no longer of "Scarlett O'Hara" but still living aboard a boat in San Diego.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
NEW KNEE IS INSTALLED
Hoag Orthopedic Institute
Irvine, Calif.
USA
After a very busy two weeks since we arrived back in California, today was the day for the install of my new right knee. Everything went as expected and I am feeling good.
To back track a bit. Our flight from the Philippines was fine though long, especially as the feeder trip from Davao to Manila took off two hours late and we were concerned about our connecting flight to Los Angeles. that flight was also late. so no problems. We have learned the acronym for Philippine air, PAL stands for planes always late. Our first day was spent getting organized with telephones, having unlocked ones meant just sim cards and a short prepaid plan, along with some shopping etc. Our first few nights were spent with Kathy's old friend Debbie Jo who also kindly lends us her spare car to drive, thanks DJ. The next day, Wednesday, was doctors appointment day, three in all. Then another scheduled for Friday and one again on Monday. Lists were made in the evening and errands run during the day. Phone calls were made to friends and we even managed to join in on a St Paddy's day party. After a five night stay with Debbie Jo we move to Kathy's sons house where we enjoy the chaos of the the grand kids, all boys, one at 7 and twins a month shy of 5. I will do my initial home recovery there too.
This brings us up to today. An early arrival of 0600 to check-in, though I was not scheduled to arrive till 0700, It's always better to be early. After a short wait it was off to pre-op for another round of health questions, having my leg shaved, an IV started and a short visit from my surgeon Dr. Robert Gorab whom I would definitely recommend. From this point things get a bit foggy. I met with the anesthesiologist who explained his part and started sending along all the Happy Juice, through the IV I never even felt the spinal. My next remembrances are waking up in the recovery room with a large bandage on my new bionic right knee to now go along with my two replaced hips. Medical science is a wonderful thing.
Next I was moved to my room. All rooms here at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute are private. Kathy was here waiting as I got settled in, Something recommended by Dr. Gorab is a "cold machine" which circulates a 40° through a pad that was placed under the sterile dressing, it's supposed to help control swelling and reduce pain and it seems to be working. Just after 1400 or 2 pm I received my first physical therapy some bed exercises and then up and out in the hallway for a short walk. The hoped for schedule calls for more PT tomorrow and one more night before being sent home the following morning.
I can't say enough good about the care here including the salmon, potatoes and vegetable for dinner.
Irvine, Calif.
USA
After a very busy two weeks since we arrived back in California, today was the day for the install of my new right knee. Everything went as expected and I am feeling good.
To back track a bit. Our flight from the Philippines was fine though long, especially as the feeder trip from Davao to Manila took off two hours late and we were concerned about our connecting flight to Los Angeles. that flight was also late. so no problems. We have learned the acronym for Philippine air, PAL stands for planes always late. Our first day was spent getting organized with telephones, having unlocked ones meant just sim cards and a short prepaid plan, along with some shopping etc. Our first few nights were spent with Kathy's old friend Debbie Jo who also kindly lends us her spare car to drive, thanks DJ. The next day, Wednesday, was doctors appointment day, three in all. Then another scheduled for Friday and one again on Monday. Lists were made in the evening and errands run during the day. Phone calls were made to friends and we even managed to join in on a St Paddy's day party. After a five night stay with Debbie Jo we move to Kathy's sons house where we enjoy the chaos of the the grand kids, all boys, one at 7 and twins a month shy of 5. I will do my initial home recovery there too.
This brings us up to today. An early arrival of 0600 to check-in, though I was not scheduled to arrive till 0700, It's always better to be early. After a short wait it was off to pre-op for another round of health questions, having my leg shaved, an IV started and a short visit from my surgeon Dr. Robert Gorab whom I would definitely recommend. From this point things get a bit foggy. I met with the anesthesiologist who explained his part and started sending along all the Happy Juice, through the IV I never even felt the spinal. My next remembrances are waking up in the recovery room with a large bandage on my new bionic right knee to now go along with my two replaced hips. Medical science is a wonderful thing.
Next I was moved to my room. All rooms here at the Hoag Orthopedic Institute are private. Kathy was here waiting as I got settled in, Something recommended by Dr. Gorab is a "cold machine" which circulates a 40° through a pad that was placed under the sterile dressing, it's supposed to help control swelling and reduce pain and it seems to be working. Just after 1400 or 2 pm I received my first physical therapy some bed exercises and then up and out in the hallway for a short walk. The hoped for schedule calls for more PT tomorrow and one more night before being sent home the following morning.
I can't say enough good about the care here including the salmon, potatoes and vegetable for dinner.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
IT'S THE PHILIPPINES
Ocean View Marina
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
"IT'S THE PHILIPPINES", an oft heard phrase here by expats, visitors and even the locals to describe whatever problem or difficulty that is being experienced. It's one we have both heard and used several times in the past few weeks as we try to get organized to head back to the States for my new knee.
To regress a bit I had seen a Doctor here in Davao regarding constant knee pain. Diagnosed as arthritic and a candidate for a knee replacement. It took a few months but finally a decision was made to contact the Doctor in California who had done my hip replacements. They asked that if I had x-rays to please send them. No problem, the hospital provided them on CD and I was off to the local Fedex to send them stateside for review. Fedex said I would need a "media optical permit #" to send the CD. They provided me with an office phone # in Manila! There is no office here in Davao the third largest city is this country of 100 million people. "It's the Philippines". I went to the local post and managed to send the CD of by international mail and it arrived at the Dr.'s office in seven days.
It is now dealing with making appointments and completing paperwork via the internet and telephone from here. Our internet is spotty at best and the phones do normally work at a cost of about $1 US per minute, we really like those rotaries or please hold and you are not given time to explain why you cannot. Thankfully with my Doctor and the hospital we have had to deal with none of that. So nice to see things run efficiently!!
Next was airline tickets. That was managed in only three hours on the internet from midnight till 3 am when we were able to get a fair connection. Of course it was another two hours later in the day regarding seat assignments. "It's the Philippines".
Yesterday and today were spent dealing with immigration. Since we have been in country for more than six months we are required to get an "exit clearance" to leave the country. If you do not have the form you do not get on the airplane. A van ride from the marina, the ferry to Davao proper then a taxi to immigration yesterday. We filled out the forms along with four photos turned them in and began our wait. Darkness descended, a power outage! Power outages are not unusual here, a government office would have a generator, all the little stores do. Yes they have one but no one in the office can remember when it last worked. "It's the Philippines". We left and returned several times over the next
few hours only to be told to come back later. We returned to the boat and decided to come back today. Another van, ferry and taxi ride and we were back to the immigration office. The lights were on, power restored and one and a half hours later and at a cost of $25 US we had our exit clearances and can now get on the plane.
With luck that is the last of our "It's the Philippines" experiences until we return in May, when even though we arrived by yacht and have a letter from the marina stating we will leave in that manner the airline will want to require us to buy an onward ticket, we will deal with that then.
With luck tonight and the internet behaving I will try to add some photos. Lorenzo of the yacht Flaneur hosted a party in celebration of being on the hard for ONE year.
A kitten Kathy found abandoned here in the yard today, perhaps 4 weeks old. The little one was turned over to our Filipina friend Jessica who now takes care of about twenty cats. We have paid to now get six spayed and this will be next on the list to be done.
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
"IT'S THE PHILIPPINES", an oft heard phrase here by expats, visitors and even the locals to describe whatever problem or difficulty that is being experienced. It's one we have both heard and used several times in the past few weeks as we try to get organized to head back to the States for my new knee.
To regress a bit I had seen a Doctor here in Davao regarding constant knee pain. Diagnosed as arthritic and a candidate for a knee replacement. It took a few months but finally a decision was made to contact the Doctor in California who had done my hip replacements. They asked that if I had x-rays to please send them. No problem, the hospital provided them on CD and I was off to the local Fedex to send them stateside for review. Fedex said I would need a "media optical permit #" to send the CD. They provided me with an office phone # in Manila! There is no office here in Davao the third largest city is this country of 100 million people. "It's the Philippines". I went to the local post and managed to send the CD of by international mail and it arrived at the Dr.'s office in seven days.
It is now dealing with making appointments and completing paperwork via the internet and telephone from here. Our internet is spotty at best and the phones do normally work at a cost of about $1 US per minute, we really like those rotaries or please hold and you are not given time to explain why you cannot. Thankfully with my Doctor and the hospital we have had to deal with none of that. So nice to see things run efficiently!!
Next was airline tickets. That was managed in only three hours on the internet from midnight till 3 am when we were able to get a fair connection. Of course it was another two hours later in the day regarding seat assignments. "It's the Philippines".
Yesterday and today were spent dealing with immigration. Since we have been in country for more than six months we are required to get an "exit clearance" to leave the country. If you do not have the form you do not get on the airplane. A van ride from the marina, the ferry to Davao proper then a taxi to immigration yesterday. We filled out the forms along with four photos turned them in and began our wait. Darkness descended, a power outage! Power outages are not unusual here, a government office would have a generator, all the little stores do. Yes they have one but no one in the office can remember when it last worked. "It's the Philippines". We left and returned several times over the next
few hours only to be told to come back later. We returned to the boat and decided to come back today. Another van, ferry and taxi ride and we were back to the immigration office. The lights were on, power restored and one and a half hours later and at a cost of $25 US we had our exit clearances and can now get on the plane.
With luck that is the last of our "It's the Philippines" experiences until we return in May, when even though we arrived by yacht and have a letter from the marina stating we will leave in that manner the airline will want to require us to buy an onward ticket, we will deal with that then.
With luck tonight and the internet behaving I will try to add some photos. Lorenzo of the yacht Flaneur hosted a party in celebration of being on the hard for ONE year.
A kitten Kathy found abandoned here in the yard today, perhaps 4 weeks old. The little one was turned over to our Filipina friend Jessica who now takes care of about twenty cats. We have paid to now get six spayed and this will be next on the list to be done.
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| OUR "BLUE CAT" NOW 14, JUST RELAXING |
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| THE V-BERTH PACKED FULL AS WE HEAD TO THE STATES |
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| PIG AND GOAT FOR DINNER |
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| A KAREOKE WARM UP |
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| JO DOES NOT THINK MUCH OF LORENZO'S TUBBA |
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| CHRIS LIKES IT |
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| HAPPY YACHTIES |
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| IT'S NOT A PARTY I N THE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT KEREOKE |
Saturday, February 27, 2016
BACK TO CALIFORNIA
Ocean View Marina
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
As I mentioned in my last posting we are returning to California so I can have a knee replacement. We have booked a flight and will be there on March 7. I start with doctors appointments on March 9 and surgery to follow two weeks later. It has been almost five years since I have been back in the States so I will most likely be in for quite a shock over the differences there.
Not to much has been going on in regards to projects on the boat, it has mostly just been preparing to head back to California. We have someone to stay on the boat and look after the cats.
So for those of you readers there in S. Calif. we hope to see when we're there.
Once again due to our poor internet her I am posting this thru sailmail and then hopefully I can add some photos.
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radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
As I mentioned in my last posting we are returning to California so I can have a knee replacement. We have booked a flight and will be there on March 7. I start with doctors appointments on March 9 and surgery to follow two weeks later. It has been almost five years since I have been back in the States so I will most likely be in for quite a shock over the differences there.
Not to much has been going on in regards to projects on the boat, it has mostly just been preparing to head back to California. We have someone to stay on the boat and look after the cats.
So for those of you readers there in S. Calif. we hope to see when we're there.
Once again due to our poor internet her I am posting this thru sailmail and then hopefully I can add some photos.
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radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Monday, February 15, 2016
A BIG CHANGE IN PLANS
Ocean View Marina
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
First, after a long five months of LIVING ON THE HARD, we have now been back in the water for the last week. It is very nice to once again be afloat even though here in the marina we barely rock.
All went as planned for the launching till I started the faithful Miss Perky. The raw water pump was frozen so instead of Kathy backing us out and into our assigned berth lines were used to warp us around. The next day I changed out pumps and Miss perky was again a happy girl.
Lots was done during our five months on the hard including several unplanned things. The bottom was stripped to gel coat, faired, epoxy barrier coated and new anti-foul paint just before launching. The mast removal, stripping of old paint, new paint, all new standing rigging was a major undertaking. Removal and re-installation of the cabin brow rail and hand rails to stop leaks was totally unplanned. We had some problems with the paint on the cabin top which was just done last year so that was also re-done.
Once back in the water our plan was to finish things up and head east across the Pacific, first to Palau then the Marshall Islands and finally back to southern California. That is still the plan but first we will be flying back to the States in early March. My arthritic right knee continues to plague me with lots of pain, stiffness and swelling. I have visited the Doctors here, had fluid drained, gotten steroid shots with no real relief. Today's decision was to fly back to visit the Doctor who has done my hip replacements as I have been led to believe that would be the next step toward pain relief and happy living.
For those of you in Southern California we should be there in the first week of March.
Samal Island, Davao
Mindanao, Philippines
First, after a long five months of LIVING ON THE HARD, we have now been back in the water for the last week. It is very nice to once again be afloat even though here in the marina we barely rock.
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| KATHY'S STAIR ARE REMOVED |
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| SETTING THE TRAILER UNDER THE CRADLE |
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| TA-TA SUPERVISING |
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| CHECKING THAT THE CRADLE FIT IS CORRECT |
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| NOW WE WAIT FOR THE TIDE |
Lots was done during our five months on the hard including several unplanned things. The bottom was stripped to gel coat, faired, epoxy barrier coated and new anti-foul paint just before launching. The mast removal, stripping of old paint, new paint, all new standing rigging was a major undertaking. Removal and re-installation of the cabin brow rail and hand rails to stop leaks was totally unplanned. We had some problems with the paint on the cabin top which was just done last year so that was also re-done.
Once back in the water our plan was to finish things up and head east across the Pacific, first to Palau then the Marshall Islands and finally back to southern California. That is still the plan but first we will be flying back to the States in early March. My arthritic right knee continues to plague me with lots of pain, stiffness and swelling. I have visited the Doctors here, had fluid drained, gotten steroid shots with no real relief. Today's decision was to fly back to visit the Doctor who has done my hip replacements as I have been led to believe that would be the next step toward pain relief and happy living.
For those of you in Southern California we should be there in the first week of March.
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