Today marked my brother's return to the USA....
On November 30th Dennis departed for Argentina on a 2 month motorcycle adventure around Argentina and Chile.
On December 8th I received a telephone call (at 5:30 a.m.) from Silvio at the hostel in Puerto Madryn where Dennis was staying. Dennis had fallen while moving the motorcycle from the street to the parking lot and was in ICU with a fractured skull and concussion.
After weeks of communicating via email with Dr. J. J. Rivarola in Puerto Madryn; Mariano Calderon in Buenos Aires and Silvio I was able to talk with Dennis on the telephone for 30 minutes.
After leaving ICU and being moved to the general clinic he stayed for another week or so.
Finally, on Dec. 23rd he was transported from the hospital by ambulance to the hostel. Silvio assisted Dennis with the retrieval of all his gear from the police and helped him get on a flight to Buenos Aires.
In Buenos Aires, Mariano coordinated the travel plans for Dennis and his return to the USA. It took him 48 hours from the time he got to the international airport in Argentina and landing in San Francisco.
As awful as this whole event was because of the seriousness of Dennis' injury I was helped by my friend Hedy, who spoke with the doctor and translated messages; Silvio who went to great lengths to make sure I realized Dennis was NOT in a motorcycle accident; Dr. Juan Jose Rivarola who was the attending physician at the ICU and sort of adopted Dennis. Dr. J.J. exchanged many emails and used his personal cell phone for Dennis to talk with me. Last, but certainly not least was the assistance of Mariano Calderon who's efficient handling of everything to coordinate Dennis' travel plans made his return so easy.
These strangers in Argentina were absolutely awesome - giving so much of themselves for a stranger.
I experienced so much frustration simply because I don't speak Spanish (I'm starting Rosetta Stone Spanish soon). I can't begin to communicate the level of my frustration that was caused by not having any information to give the medical personnel about my brother. Or because there was no way to contact my brother because he didn't take a cell phone with him?
So - if you travel alone make a list of your medical conditions; your medications; your driver's license, passport, credit card information; insurance and anything else that MIGHT help someone else help you in the event you are incapacitated. Don't count on being able to use a computer as the only form of communication.
Glad he is "home".
