Saturday was a day of ups and downs. I went to the CIMA business office to
see about health insurance issues and discovered they only accept health
insurance from two Mexican companies.  They also did not accept
international bank checks. We checked cash and credit card balances and
decided that we either had to check her out today or leave her in the
hospital until the banks opened on Monday, with the commensurate
additional expense.

The morning became a waiting game.  As the day wore on, Kathy began
feeling better as the anti-inflammation drugs and analgesics continued to
work on the strained nerves.  By 11 AM she was breathing without pain and
able to walk to the bathroom unassisted.  By Noon, she was able to sit up
with minimum pain.

Around 1:00 PM, the pain specialist came in for a long consultation.  We
agreed on a medication regimen that should keep Kathy comfortable at least
until we could get to El Paso where Kathy's insurance would work.

She finally decided to check herself out around 2:30 PM, after the new
pills showed that they could keep her reasonably comfortable.  The final
tab was 14,660 pesos (about 1,400 dollars) for hospital, x-ray and doctor
fees. Kathy walked herself out of the hospital to the parking lot.

I have to say that except for the insurance anxiety, the hospital
experience was the best we'd had in a long time.  Prompt and courteous
service from everybody.  The hospital was spotless and modern, the food
was good, and each room had sleeping accommodations for a family member.

We settled Kathy into the 5th wheel about 4 PM and kissed, hugged and
"adios"ed all the family members who had hung around to help instead of
going to Valle de Allende on Friday.

Kathy settled into bed with some discomfort about 8:30 PM and is
sleeping as I write this.  We'll see how she feels inthe morning.  We plan
to pay our tab at the RV park fairly early in the morning in hopes of
getting through US customs and settled into an El Paso area RV park before
dark.

We've got enough of the new pills to make Livingston TX without pushing.
We may hang out there with the Escapees through New Years.

Happy Holidays, John Kinney