[Gocamino] abbreviated Camino and medical help...

[patrush1 at verizon.net]

Dear Wes and Rita--A big angel was looking after you both on that trip!!  Let me affirm that medical care in Spain (and in France) is not only first-rate, but in Spain it is mostly free because of the government subsidies.  Also, physicians speak at least some English and the ones I've consulted have big dictionaries for joint consultation!!  Do not hesitate to seek medical help in Spain if you need to when you go back.  As a 72 year old pilg, I not only expect some health issues, I frequently experience them!
 
April--ah, April.  I walked from Merida north last April in rain and snow; once on the Camino Frances I found snow on the tops, but the camino itself was pretty dry.  Early spring in northern Spain is lovely--the migration of birds from Africa is in full flight, and the most wonderful wild flowers are in bloom.  But, as in this country, the weather is highly changeable and volatile.  May is a better choice, and leaving from Pamplona is a good choice, although if you got as far as Burgos, just pick up where you left off.  
 
Buen camino, Patricia, from upstate NY

--- On Fri, 1/2/09, Wes & Rita <wesrita at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Wes & Rita <wesrita at comcast.net>
Subject: [Gocamino] abbreviated Camino and medical help...
To: gocamino at oakapple.net
Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 1:09 PM

Thanks for all the responses to our update on our medical emergency on the
Camino.  Why did we not seek help in Spain?  Sheer panic.  Not knowing much
Spanish and not knowing what was going on, all we could think about was getting
home and seeing our own, much trusted, physician who had previously treated Wes
for high blood pressure (my assumption at the time being that it had something
to do with that).  Surely we would never have made a transatlantic flight if we
had dreamed it might be what it turned out to be -- a pulmonary embolism.  If we
were to face another medical problem while on the Camino (oh please, no, not
again!), and knowing now what good experiences folks had in seeking medical help
in Spain, we would definitely seek help wherever we were.  

And thanks for all the information about wintry conditions in the high country
in April.  We are moving our starting date into May as a result.  We were trying
to avoid the crowds but crossing the Pyrennees in deep snow does not appeal!  I
am grateful for all of you perigrinos who have been so helpful and supportive!

Rita and Wes
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