HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Back on board! Still having problems if I try to log in through my Ipad, but I can do it on the old computer.
Anyway, I just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and may 2017 be kinder to us. At least, for me, this has been a terrible year, but I survived it. I still owe you an update on what has been happening to us ever since leaving Barga Hospital. But that will be in the next year.
Best wishes everyone!

Blimey !!! Welcome back, we've survived another year, maybe !!! not long to go.....

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Happy New Year to all...Welcome back Gala....!

A Happy and Healthy New Year to All members and visitors to the forum.

Welcome back Gala, you have had an "eventful" year may next year be kinder.
Happy new year to all on the forum, I hope 2017 brings peace and prosperity to you all.

Happy New Year everyone!  Let's hope that it is better than last, but with the election results in the USA, I am not too hopeful.  So looking forward to moving to Italia - we will be renting initially starting in September of 2017 in southern Marche, while we continue our house search.  Gala, I would love an update on what has been happening with you and your family.  Sure hope your husband has made a complete recovery.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to one and all, hope this years brings you everything you wish for and especially good health.

I'm glad to echo that!  Happy New Year everyone. 

Thanks everyone. I do hope that 2017 will be kinder to all of us, unlike its predecessor. 
I intend to do a last post on my original thread as a more detailed update on my husband´s recovery, but summing it up, he is slowly getting better although we have a long way ahead of us. From our departure on an air ambulance from Pisa Airport, he has spent 4 months in the rehabilitation unit in Spain and he is now having extensive physiotherapy sessions being picked up in an ambulance 3 days a week. He cannot walk, but he is getting back both movement and sensitivity on his right hand side. This confirms the prognosis made by the Italian neurologists as the damage was extensive, but there is still hope that he may be able to walk again with some support. Fortunately, his head and mind are both fine. He can remember pin numbers and codes I simply can't. So let's keep on hoping. Cheers!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your Hubby, Gala. Hope he gets better soon.

Gala Placidia wrote:Thanks everyone. I do hope that 2017 will be kinder to all of us, unlike its predecessor. I intend to do a last post on my original thread as a more detailed update on my husband´s recovery, but summing it up, he is slowly getting better although we have a long way ahead of us. From our departure on an air ambulance from Pisa Airport, he has spent 4 months in the rehabilitation unit in Spain and he is now having extensive physiotherapy sessions being picked up in an ambulance 3 days a week. He cannot walk, but he is getting back both movement and sensitivity on his right hand side. This confirms the prognosis made by the Italian neurologists as the damage was extensive, but there is still hope that he may be able to walk again with some support. Fortunately, his head and mind are both fine. He can remember pin numbers and codes I simply can't. So let's keep on hoping. Cheers!

Thanks so much for filling us in.  We are all keeping you in our thoughts and hope that he indeed does make a quick and full recovery. 

Thank you everyone. Fortunately, we are seeing at least some light at the end of the tunnel. I must say that the care and attention received in Italy from doctors, specialists, nursing and physiotherapist was second to none. And this would be most important to those considering residence or long stays in Italy. But I think that this will also depend on the area where you choose to live. Something to keep in mind, as these problems may arise any time and at any age.

Gala Placidia wrote:Thank you everyone. Fortunately, we are seeing at least some light at the end of the tunnel. I must say that the care and attention received in Italy from doctors, specialists, nursing and physiotherapist was second to none. And this would be most important to those considering residence or long stays in Italy. But I think that this will also depend on the area where you choose to live. Something to keep in mind, as these problems may arise any time and at any age.

That is so good to hear, Gala.  I know of an American who is going through a very difficult time right now in southern Marche.  She fell and supposedly has 3 fractures in/around her knee.  The hospital she has been going to in Fermo thus far has been a terrible experience and she may now have a deep vein thrombosis.  When I heard from her this am, she was back in the ambulance headed to the emergency room.  I have encouraged her to go to the hospital in Ancona, as it has a good reputation.  Hopefully she will be able to get the care she needs to make a full recovery.

Well Lisa, I have recently been having a number of treatments at Fermo hospital and cannot fault their performance.

Lisa, I would not be worried about the possibility of deep vein thrombosis as there is plenty of medication and good Italian doctors to treat that. Italian pharmaceutical  laboratories are amongst the best in the world, sp they will have something specific to treat her. Regarding the level of attention you get, as it is the case anywhere in the world, the larger hospitals located in major provincial capitals, usually have more resources and better staff available... although sometimes it is not the case...

I agree Gala any hospital can treat a DVT successfully.  Fermo Hospital is by no means a small hospital, it has at least 6 floors efficiently run.  A injury caused by trauma is not always easy to treat, there can be all sorts of complications. Your friend Lisa may just have been unlucky for one reason or another ?

I've never had anything but excellent care in Italian hospitals but it's not necessarily very 'fluffy'. The bedside manner is quite often scarse but I can't fault the care. If you're used to something a bit more customer orientated then you might have a bit of culture shock I think. I wonder if that is part of the problem in Lisa's friend's case?

A Happy New Year to everyone and I am very glad to hear your husband is on the mend Gala.

Angela Fuller wrote:I agree Gala any hospital can treat a DVT successfully.  Fermo Hospital is by no means a small hospital, it has at least 6 floors efficiently run.  A injury caused by trauma is not always easy to treat, there can be all sorts of complications. Your friend Lisa may just have been unlucky for one reason or another ?

I also know Fermo Hospital has, since the earthquakes  been extremely busy taking on all the local hospitals patients, that have been closed (due to the earthquakes) so maybe not as efficient as normal ?

Angela Fuller wrote:

Angela Fuller wrote:I agree Gala any hospital can treat a DVT successfully.  Fermo Hospital is by no means a small hospital, it has at least 6 floors efficiently run.  A injury caused by trauma is not always easy to treat, there can be all sorts of complications. Your friend Lisa may just have been unlucky for one reason or another ?

I also know Fermo Hospital has, since the earthquakes  been extremely busy taking on all the local hospitals patients, that have been closed (due to the earthquakes) so maybe not as efficient as normal ?

It is good to know that you have had a positive outcome at Fermo, Angie.  However, I can assure you that the care she has received to date is substandard and would be considered malpractice in the States.  If you are interested in the details, feel free to pm me as I don't think I should put her treatment story or the name of the particular doctor in an open forum.  Suffice it to say that she was sent home on one of her several visits without the doctor even looking at her leg.  This has been going on since before Christmas.  She now has an appointment with a new orthopedist at another hospital at 3 pm today.  I will let you know how she makes out.

How did your friend get on at the other hospital Lisa ?

[size=11]Hi Angie,  Thanks so much for asking.  She has a tibeal plateau fracture .  She fell and hurt herself on December 21st.  Here is the update from the new doctor's visit at the hospital in Macerata.  She is now waiting to hear back from the new doctor after he reviews her records from Fermo and MRI.:[/size]



"Okay!! So after the medical transportation broke down on the way to the appointment - I wish I was making this stuff up! I thought I was going to need to call in Shaman or something to lift the curse! Anyway - for another post! We arrived at the new doctor late and that was fine he saw me immediately AND he spoke English!! AND he actually let me finish a my sentences! 

So yes, he confirmed the cast was the problem amongst other things. He could not understand why surgery was not scheduled because a cast and this form of recovery could lead to early arthritis and long term problems. Which is what the first and kind doctor said too.

He could not say for sure without seeing the MRI and I need to get that to him asap so he can see whether surgery is necessary or not.

In the interim getting the old cast off and putting on a new one was most important. And instead of a plaster cast he said a resin one is better - lighter! 

When in the cast room 4 different medical staff came by to see the "horror" of this cast as no one could understand how this was acceptable with half my knee exposed. There were other choice words about different parts of the cast too.

The doctor with the assistance of 2 nurses made the new cast. With the doctor being the one. to make the cast. NOT some evil cast maker as the last time. Once the cast was on - all 3 massaged my leg to make sure it was in place and proper! What a different experience from start to finish!

AND he gave me his cell phone number and told me if he does not answer he is probably in surgery however will call me back immediately!!! "

Pleased to hear Lisa your friend is happier now with the treatment she is getting, long may it continue.