Making Excellent Progress

Aloha Everyone,

Doctors are amazed at the rate J.J. is recovering. J.J. looks confident, relaxed and  hopeful that he will make a full recovery. This afternoon while Jeff and I were with him, J.J. walked in his room for 5 minutes.

My sister asked me if we have done any tourism. All we have been to since arriving in Quito are 2 hospitals, 4 Shopping Malls, 4 supermarkets, Mr. Jeff, the laundry service and other essential services. Today we were with J.J. from 8 am to 5:00 pm. In between, we walked from the hospital to El Jardin Mall then to Quicentro Mall.  

Friday afternoon there were many people out doing last minutes shopping before the weekend lockdown from 8:00 pm tonight to 5:00am Monday.

First three photos were taken this morning when Jeff and I walked about 5 city blocks to check the restaurant, Indian Tadka, where Jeff has been ordering food via Uber Eats.

Aloha -- Cathi

A Day After His Surgery

Aloha Everyone,

J.J.’s  first surgery was completed last night. Jeff and I went to visit him at the hospital at 8:00 am. J.J. was alert and looking good.

The surgeon, cardiologist, anesthesiologist and primary coordinating doctor have all come by this morning. They concurred that J.J. is doing as well as he could be after a major surgery.

He is not allowed to eat or drink anything today. Tomorrow he will be allowed ice chips and a little water. Hopefully by the weekend he will be able to eat small amounts of soft food.

We are cautiously optimistic for a speedy recovery.  

The photos were taken when Jeff and I went out for a quick walk around our neighborhood before sitting down for breakfast.

Aloha -- Cathi

Surgery Day

Aloha Everyone,

At 8:00 am, Jeff and I were with J.J. 24 hours prepping procedures kept him from getting a good rest but otherwise he was in his usual good humor.

During the midday, Jeff and I left for a couple hours to shop at Centro commercial Ińaquito. Interesting experience. Our bill at ETA Fashion was $52.82. Jeff gave the cashier $100 bill. She disappeared behind a counter and would not return with our change. Other shoppers were very patient. Everyone stood in line 6 feet apart and waited. When the cashier reappeared, she apologetically informed us that she does not have a change for $100. The problem was solved when Jeff and I gave her the exact change.

We purchased 3 boxes of Cinnabon’s for the nursing staff and the security guards and walked back through La Carolina Park to the hospital.

Jeff and I stayed with JJ until he was wheeled into the operating room.

At about 9:00 pm, I was tossing and turning in the bed when Dr. Espinosa phoned to inform us that 3 1/2 hours operation went very well.

Aloha -- Cathi

Readmitted to Clinica Pasteur

Aloha Everyone

Woke up to a clear and chilly morning. The temperature must have dropped overnight as there were snow on the crest of Cotopaxi Volcano.

J.J. decided to have a Chinese lunch at El Jardin Mall food court. Although not authentic, he was satisfied with having a hot soup and a noodle dish.

His new hospital room is located closer to the main nurses’ station. Another advantage is that the hospital WiFi works better so the three of us are able to exchange emails.

Before returning to our hotel, we purchased our provisions of drinking water and for Jeff, Diet Coke or Coke Sin Azúcar. Daily, each room are given  2 small complimentary bottles of drinking water. When I asked for additional bottles, the door man suggested that I go across the street to a little Panadería (bread shop) where I can purchase two 1/2 liter bottle for $.75.

Aloha -- Cathi

Update on JJ

Aloha Everyone,

Today we met with J.J.’s clinical oncologist and his primary care physician. Overall very positive news. It appears that the cancer has not spread. Maybe no chemo required.

J.J.’s heart is good. His hemoglobin count has climbed so he is stable. They recommend surgery ASAP.

He decided to have one more night of freedom. Jeff ordered a wonderful Paella for the two of them and we ate in our room. I am trying to stay with a very low carb diet. Not too exciting but a healthier choice.

We are waiting to get confirmation on the hospital check-in time and surgery on Wednesday.

Aloha -- Cathi

Quito, Capital of Ecuador

Aloha Everyone,

Quito is located on the equatorial divide.  At 9,350 feet is the highest constitutional capital in the world.  

Quito and Galápagos Islands were the first and second places to be declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1978.

Quito is surrounded by 8 of Ecuador’s 19 volcanoes.  Two of these are active.

Quito is built on top of the ruins of an Inca city.

Quito is sophisticated. As in most colonial cities, there are modern financial, business, government centers and mega shopping malls with international brand boutiques plus supermarkets. But what I love is the old city center with Spanish colonial red roofs, balconies and central patios.

Quito has two seasons. They are dry, cooler (June-September) and wet (October-May) which is slightly warmer. Since our arrival, I’ve been wearing long sleeve shirts with a light jacket. Actually the current weather is similar to spring in New York.

https://vivecuador.com/html2/esp/ecuador.htm

Aloha -- Cathi

Dining-in & Out in Quito

Aloha Everyone,

Our hotel breakfast is excellent. Until Jeff’s arrival, I would eat breakfast in the hotel restaurant alone. This was a new experience for me. Otherwise, shuttling between the hotel and the hospital, I become too exhausted to think about food. My lunches and dinners are mainly bread and bananas.

Since Jeff’s arrival, we started to become a little more adventurous.

Jeff has also been ordering food using Uber Eat. Here are our selections from an Indian restaurant, a Chinese restaurant and a Greek restaurant.  All of them tasted wonderful.

Aloha -- Cathi

A Day Full of Activities

Aloha Everyone,

At 8:00 am, Dr. Espinosa came to the hotel to draw blood for tumor markers. Then J.J., Jeff and I took Uber to a Dell designated repair shop to drop off J.J.’s laptop. When we walked into the store, a man greeted us by name and he knew our hotel room numbers. With everyone wearing masks and he being out of a business suit, it took us a moment to realize that Alvaro is the evening front desk manager at our hotel. He was also at the shop for computer repair.

Then we took another Uber to one of the 4 large malls in the area. While J.J. got a haircut, Jeff and I walked around to get our exercises.

Absolutely sumptuous lunch at Casa Res.

We purchased a box of designer chocolates to thank Alvaro.

Aloha - Cathi

Our Hotel & Lavandería Mr. Jeff

Aloha everyone,

We are staying at Mercure Hotel Quito. It is a 4 star business class establishment and the 3 of us have two large suites with fabulous mountains and city views.

Hotel laundry services are for convenience of guests. My quick calculations based on their list which charges $2.00 per pair of socks, it would run to $100 for the first week of our stay.

Thankfully Jeff is a lot more proficient using mobile apps. He found Lavandería Mr. Jeff, where they can do pick up and delivery services to our hotel. To establish our account, Jeff & I took two bags of clothes. The clerk weighed the bags and charged $12 for washing, folding and delivery within 24 hours.  

BTW, Ecuador is one of the several countries whose official currency is US dollars.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/040915/countries-use-us-dollar.asp

Aloha -- Cathi