"Eye surgery in Pamplona"

[ivar]

@Dreamwalker33 posted this in a PM. I am posting this here for her.

Got to St Jean PdP 23-aug14. Made it to stage 5 (Puerta la Reina). Lost vision in my L eye (retinal detachment). Had to leave alberque by late night taxi back to Pamplona Virgin Hospital for emergency eye surgery. With gas bubble in eye, husband & I must stay here for 3-4 wks while I heal.. Hoping to bus/train to Sarria and walk into Santiago. Luckily our flight home out of Madrid is 20-Oct-14. Crazy, I know!!! -> Silver lining: Free surgery

Also, does anyone know what to do with damaged knees? When descending the "hill of forgiveness" (using 2 poles) both my knees started aching.. Like they we're hit with a baseball bat. Been resting at hotel and trying not to walk much. Any advise is welcome.

 

[wayfarer]

Very sorry to hear this news, get well, rest up and enjoy walk from Sarria when you are better.

 

[ivar]

I really hope she gets better soon as well... bad luck... but good to hear the spanish health system is taking good care of you.

 

[JoeNYC]

Everyone's fear-- injured or ill in a foreign land. I, too, am happy to hear that she's being well cared for.

Keep up the good spirits and be well!

 

[C clearly]

Best wishes! Great that you recognized the problem and got it treated in time!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A friend of a friend had severe knee problems out of SJPdP, and had a knee drained at the hospital in Pamplona (about a half-liter!!!), then again as necessary further down the Camino. If the knee is that swollen, such treatment is available.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

If you have to break down anywhere on the camino, Pamplona is the place to do it. The medical care there is second to none!

 

[rubyslippers]

I'm wondering if you had the gas bubble in your eye and trouble with your retina, you may also have fluid in the sacks around your knees. May want to check with a Doctor there about that. It is really painful and unless you normally have trouble with your knees it is something to think about. Good luck and I wish you speedy healing.

 

[Kanga]

Do so hope some of your vision in that eye is saved. I second that you are in good hands having medical treatment in Pamplona. A friend recently researched health care to help her decide the best place to retire and top of her list was France, the second was Spain.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I think that the gas bubble is put there by the doctors to hold the retina back in place. Hopefully if there is a knee problem which needs sorting then the hospital will realise when she goes for a check up on her eye.
Hope all goes well with you dreamwalker.

 

[LesBrass]

Really sorry to hear of your problems... I wish you a speedy and full recovery!

 

[DeadFred]

I'm so sorry Dreamwalker 33. Very happy to hear you found good medical help .

 

[Dreamwalker33]

A friend of a friend had severe knee problems out of SJPdP, and had a knee drained at the hospital in Pamplona (about a half-liter!!!), then again as necessary further down the Camino. If the knee is that swollen, such treatment is available.

We'll, my knee isn't swollen-just very sore. I see eye dr Thursday so will ask him what I should do. Been spending last 2 days on nearby parks reading, resting and trying to stay off leg - icing it, too.

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Do so hope some of your vision in that eye is saved. I second that you are in good hands having medical treatment in Pamplona. A friend recently researched health care to help her decide the best place to retire and top of her list was France, the second was Spain.

We couldn't believe when we asked (after giving the ER our travel & home health info) that this operation was Free! Not for that reason , though it's a good one, I could see us living in Spain.

 

[Anniesantiago]

So sorry to hear about your eye! Heal quickly!

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Really sorry to hear of your problems... I wish you a speedy and full recovery!

ThAnk you! The sooner the better! Our flight back to the states is 15-OCt-14, so hoping to get on the way still.

 

[GettingThere]

Sending lots of good wishes for speedy recovery of both eye and knee, Dreamwalker33. It sounds as though this happened in the best place, and that you're receiving good care. It's probably a good thing for your knee that your eye is forcing a rest, although that's probably not much comfort right now! I hope you're able to walk a little further once you're fully recovered, and before you have to leave for home.
Buen camino!

 

[JennyH94]

We'll, my knee isn't swollen-just very sore. I see eye dr Thursday so will ask him what I should do. Been spending last 2 days on nearby parks reading, resting and trying to stay off leg - icing it, too.

Hi Dreamwalker33 -
I add my best wishes for your return to good health very, very soon - both with your eye and the knee. As your husband is with you, would it be worthwhile hiring a wheelchair for, say, a week or so, so you can still be out and about - experiencing all that Pamplona has to offer - and be off the leg.
Cheers - Jenny

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Ii

I'm wondering if you had the gas bubble in your eye and trouble with your retina, you may also have fluid in the sacks around your knees. May want to check with a Doctor there about that. It is really painful and unless you normally have trouble with your knees it is something to think about. Good luck and I wish you speedy healing.

'
I've been walking up and down quite steep hills for months prior to Camino. In Cizur Menor a car nearly ran us down at dawn and we jolted to a stop. My R knee cap felt strained. Then my first step descending the "hill of forgiveness" my other knee pained me so badly. Never expected any trouble.. So many kind folk helping/ encouraging me. For sure will speak with my doctor! Thank you

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Hi Dreamwalker33 -
I add my best wishes for your return to good health very, very soon - both with your eye and the knee. As your husband is with you, would it be worthwhile hiring a wheelchair for, say, a week or so, so you can still be out and about - experiencing all that Pamplona has to offer - and be off the leg.
Cheers - Jenny

Goodness, ... Well.. I did buy a knee brace, use arnica sp?, ice and stopped walking except to get coffee and get outside air. We are near the 3 hospitals, so nice area. We did walk several times to the ancient city but knees wore out. I hope my doctor can suggest/X-ray? If using a wheel chair will help, I'm all for it. Just need to heal if I'm to walk at all before time runs out.

 

[natefaith]

So sorry to hear about your eye. Your job right now is to heal well, and later if the doctors don't clear you to keep hiking, you can always go to the beach and have a vacation! Take care of yourself and keep us updated!
Faith

 

[rubyslippers]

Yes! and if you don't like the beach you can get on a bus and see the sights as you go. Leon, Borgos, and etc. Such a beautiful country. Enjoy it. Great idea natefaith!

 

[Dreamwalker33]

I saw my Dr today -- my eye is healing well and next appointment is 16-sept-14. We told him our plan to walk from Sarria to Santiago. He said that he'd needed to see me once more after the 16th, and walking after that is doable. Both my husband and I really like the beach and talked about going to Portugal and just spend our time there, but we do want to finish what we set out to do --> Walk to Santiago together and hopefully on to Finisterre.

My knees are much better today. icing and knee brace while walking helps. I'll have to update my picture with eye patch gone and eye starting to open up. Wish I could tolerate ibuprophen... It took the pain away, but my stomach really got upset for a few hours (taken with food). Thanks for caring and like your suggestions!

 

[Diefenbaker]

I saw my Dr today -- my eye is healing well and next appointment is 16-sept-14. We told him our plan to walk from Sarria to Santiago. He said that he'd needed to see me once more after the 16th, and walking after that is doable. Both my husband and I really like the beach and talked about going to Portugal and just spend our time there, but we do want to finish what we set out to do --> Walk to Santiago together and hopefully on to Finisterre.

My knees are much better today. icing and knee brace while walking helps. I'll have to update my picture with eye patch gone and eye starting to open up. Wish I could tolerate ibuprophen... It took the pain away, but my stomach really got upset for a few hours (taken with food). Thanks for caring and like your suggestions!

I have a similar problem with Ibuprofen but I can tolerate Arthrotec which is a non steroidal but with a stomach calming medication built in. It is stronger than Ibuprofen and so is a prescription medication, even in Spain but it does the trick for me when I need it. I believe it's called Arthroteca in Spain. I wish you all the best for the future and hope you get to finish your Camino at Finisterre.

 

[Dreamwalker33]

Thanks for that info! I'll try Tylenol today and see if it helps, and ask for Arthroteca if it comes to that. Thinking I may get another knee brace so both knees have support. Well.. 11 days until next appointment, and we'll figure out how to get to SARRIA - hopefully not too out of shape. Dr said I can't carry any weight now, but may be able to once the gas dissipates.

 

[Dreamwalker33]

I have a similar problem with Ibuprofen but I can tolerate Arthrotec which is a non steroidal but with a stomach calming medication built in. It is stronger than Ibuprofen and so is a prescription medication, even in Spain but it does the trick for me when I need it. I believe it's called Arthroteca in Spain. I wish you all the best for the future and hope you get to finish your Camino at Finisterre.

Went to pharmacy -- got another knee brace and Artrotec!!! Yes!! It was over-the-counter! now for a little sight seeing. Thanks so much for telling me/helping me! Taking zip-lock bag to ice knees at rest breaks. I want to say how much I appreciate all the help-support/caring kindness I've received here from everyone. Means a lot to me and very grateful! You lift me up.