Hope We Never Have a Medical Emergency

Last Friday, Bob noticed that if he moved his right eye a certain way, he saw what looked like a lightning flash off to the side. That continued for a couple of days, then, yesterday (Sunday) he started seeing "floaters" in that same eye.

So, of course, we did a little internet research and came to the conclusion that he needed to see an ophthalmologist. Bob texted 2 different long-time islanders we know, and both responded with the same doctor's name. Being unfamiliar with this doctor, however, he also looked into flights that evening to get us back so he could go see our eye doctor in Plano.

Bob then called Dr. Scharf in Plano and left a message at his office. In less than 10 minutes, Dr. Scharf returned his call, assured him that since his vision seems to be fine otherwise there is very little chance that it is anything to worry about, and suggested he go see the doctor here when he can just to be certain. He did, however, add that Bob should not to do any sky diving or bungee jumping :)

Feeling somewhat reassured, Bob next left a message at the office of the St. Thomas ophthalmologist.

This morning, Bob got up and planned to go straight to the ophthalmologist's office and sit there until they would examine his eye. Before leaving, tho, he called and actually got through to someone. He was told not to come in Monday - or Tuesday, but to come in at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Then they added, "But that doesn't mean that you'll be seen at 10. We don't know when you'll get in to see the doctor." Bob asked if he could make an appointment. "No. Our computers are down." Any idea when your computer system will be back up? "No. Our IT guy has a full-time job elsewhere."

From other stories we've heard, our experience is typical of most medical care here on St. Thomas. It's also another example of the St. Thomian attitude that "the way things are is the way things are" with no hope of it changing or any real expectation that change would make things better - especially change that is brought in by "people from the States."

And don't even get me started on how a one-car accident can interrupt electrical power for the entire island - for 3 days. "The way things are is the way things are"

*** Update ***

Bob flew back to Dallas to see Dr. Scharf. After an eye exam, the doctor confirmed that all is well and predicted that Bob's brain would learn to ignore the floater "in a couple of weeks or a month or a year or never" :)