www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Injured expat, stranded by strike, going home today

By Zack McDonald
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Ed Hansen is expected to leave Hospital Hotel la Católica today.

His improved health comes in spite of the continued strike by Caja Costarricense anesthesiologists. Hansen, 62, waited five days for treatment in Hospital Calderón Guardia before being transferred to the private Hospital Catolica.

The morning of Nov. 12 Hansen was on his way to get breakfast supplies for his girlfriend and K*ds. He was struck by a motorcycle while crossing Avenida 7 in front of Casa Amarilla at Parque España. The impact broke his pelvis in three places, he said.

Rescue workers took the former Atlanta policeman to Hospital Calderón Guardia to await surgery. He was unaware of the strike by anesthesiologists.
Even though Hansen, an expat, purchases Caja insurance, he was allowed to remain in the hospital uniformed. After he realized he was not going to receive speedy treatment, he asked to be transferred to Hospital Católica in Goicoechea.

After a disagreement between the hospital and his private insurance provider, Kaiser Permanete, six hours of surgery, three plates in his hip and, according to Hansen, ¨a whole bunch of screws,¨ he will be released. His doctor has advised him to stay off the leg for at least four weeks, he said.

¨Dr. Juan Carlos Calero did a very good job,¨ Hansen said of the long-awaited surgery. ¨I just feel sorry for the people in a position that have to wait to get attention,¨ he added.

Meanwhile, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social reported it had to cancel more than 1,000 surgeries over the last week because of the strike.

glad pops can start healing. man it changes that quick doesn't it? surprised we haven't had any assholes telling him how he phucked up my not looking both ways.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Oh, the opposite crossed my mind. Recently a drunk typical ugly American ass was riding around in a taxi not paying attention to anyone but himself. You swung open a car door in mid traffic causing a motorcycle to go down. You were "just glad you didn't have to pay anything or go to jail".

You said you were "in the right". My thought was all the times I've avoided pedestrians and motos, while driving, even though I was "in the right".

My suggestion was to be considerate of everyone sharing the road. I suggested that you randomly swinging open car doors in mid traffic is inconsiderate to motos and I wish this other idiot that ran Pops over shared my way of doing things and not yours.

Looks like you want it both ways, as long as you're ass is covered. When you are in the vehicle, everyone else can go to hell BUT when you're the one walking, you suddenly want an abundance of consideration.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

of course you are right as always
this is about pops going home and not you so give it a rest why don't you?
send some more hate filled pms if you feel the need.
i can ignore those without having to clutter the board.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Ok, post the "PM", I give you permission as we both know ,I don't do PMs.

Pops has slept in my home and I have slept in his.

You are an ass.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Wow! A history between you two here I guess.

I am still pissed off that these pig anesthestiologists didn't perform so as to allow the orthopaed's to treat a fellow gringo. How can medical professionals despite their maybe horrible job/labor issues stoop to this level? How can there not be a governmental control? A fx pelvis is deadly, you can bleed out.

God bless the medical support staff in CR that kept him going. I don't know Pops, but I will tell this story to everybody that brings up CR medical care with me for as long as I continue to go to CR. Did you see their (anesth) union leader's pic on today's Diario? Like he was proud? I'd like to choke that pig and all of his piglets.

But, I read this story in AM Costa Rica soon after this happened, not knowing who the victim was. Now I have an idea who the victim "Pops" is, that he has a big ex-pat or current-pat following. Public information was posted for several days post injury. No help?

Situation definitely makes you think. I have always been careful before and am more aware now. As far as the medical care, trying to think of any precautions or preparation to take in case something ever happened.

trust....I don't know much..but "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"......not trying to sound like a dick here
but not being a city boy....I don't trust anything about the drivers and roadways in SJ.....or the missing water meter covers or just plain holes all over the place......or just that the fact that life is more real there....then the sanitized version you get in the US....speedy recovery Pops

Great to hear pops is going to be ok.

I have to admit, this incident was the catalyst for me to purchase international medical insurance for my upcoming trip. I'm sure I won't need it but what the hell, $20 isn't much, only a few drinks at the DR....

and you are a troll. you have some sort of issue with me and have made multiple personal attacks for no apparent reason. i do not save pms since i have numerous conversations with other members that can be civil, humorous and informative. if the box fills up you need to dump it.
here is a perfect example of what you contribute to the board with multiple respected posters rebuking you and your pov.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39164
thats merely the last time i interacted with you. i don't know you. never met you. and for this i am happy.
i'm glad you know pops and you have slept in each others homes. its not a pissing contest. he is a good guy and it would be nice if the subject of the thread was him and his well being.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

The tread was about him until you referred to the other tread, where you got your feelings hurt, here:
Now if you want to stay on subject, without continuing a discussion of your personal shortcomings, then do so.

And you couldn't produce "any hate filled" PMs that you accused me of sending because I haven't sent you any. I wouldn't waste the time as you've clearly demonstrated that you don't 'get it'. My post aren't for your benefit but for the other 20,000 readers who may benefit.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Gentlemen: I WILL NOT HAVE THIS THREAD HIJACKED ENOUGH!!!! for the two of you who have taken it off course STOP!

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Thank you for supporting CRT!

edit

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Life is a short, meaningless journey filled with emptiness and pain. Get all the pu*sy you can!

What a nightmare! Being laid up 5 days with broken bones waiting on treatment

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I hear ya PacoLoco. Has really made me think. I have Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. Lost my wallet on the first day of this year and never got around to having the card sent down here. Am getting that taken care of and finding out what they cover. You just never know.