Could I get an MRI for $200, please?

Before we proceed with this blog entry, let us first say that everything is okay...Ken is doing quite well now, thank you. But we thought we'd round out our exotic experiences with a hospital visit in India.

The scary part started on our flight from Hong Kong to Mumbai. About 20 minutes prior to landing, Ken had a seizure. Each of us was sleeping yet, so our first indication was when Kinsey (middle seat with her legs crossed), felt Ken's movements. She tried waking him, assuming it was a dream. When she couldn't roust him, she woke me and had me help. We both realized right away something was wrong and summoned help. The stews were wonderful, called for a doctor on board and helped Ken as he came out of the event. They didn't realize or see the entire thing, so thought it was a hypertension problem or something. As Ken came to, he threw up; surprisingly, they even had a change of clothes for him that fit! Since they could see he could function, walk and talk, they called for a cart to help us move through the airport but let us go on our way. Ken seemed to slowly return to normal.

The timing was such that we couldn't reach any medical help in the US as it was over the weekend. Ken had been weathering some congestion prior to this, and what he wanted to do was sleep as he was quite tired. Kinsey and I ventured out on our own over the weekend so he could rest, continuing to assess him periodically. On Monday, we finally made contact with Ken's doctor, who suggested we seek medical care here or return home. When our tour assistant came early Tuesday morning to take us to the airport, we had to explain our situation. He took charge immediately, managing to get an appointment with a neuro surgeon at the Bombay Hospital that morning!

The neuro was outstanding -- wish we could transport him with us and have him as Ken's doc. He ordered an MRI, which we had to pay for out-of-pocket. It only cost $200 and was in a brand new facility. (Ken subsequently had an EEG done, too, which cost us $155.) The consult fee with him was only $30. In all honesty, the services, care and information and follow-up were excellent.

Ken is back on an anti-seizure drug called Keppra. He had been on it following his surgery, but the protocol is to take patients off of it if they haven't had any seizures after 6 months, which was the case for him. His seizure was likely caused by a perfect storm: lack of sleep, dehydration, exhaustion (we walked an average of 5.5 miles each day in Hong Kong), heat, claustrophobia (on the plane). He'll be on Keppra and we have clearance to proceed on our trip.

Our tour assistant was beyond belief. He was patiently persistent and navigated everything for us even though he didn't have experience doing this type of thing either. On top of all his help with the medical side, he also got our airline tix rebooked, managed to have our hotel charges covered, etc. Needless to say, if anyone plans on traveling in Asia, we will highly recommend this tour agency!

In spite of all this, we have made some wonderful memories and have some great stories. Our time at the imaging facility was like being in a mix of a British comedy sketch and the movie "Office Space." Everyone working there seemed to travel in packs, constantly pulling on door handles when the doors needed to be pushed; we never were able to sort out their various roles, except for the IT guys (classic stereotypes). At one point, a guy stood on an office chair with a screw driver, reaching blindly into the ceiling tiles; I said "I sure hope he isn't doing anything electrical" and the next thing he's pulling out cords. At one point, we suddenly heard what sounded like a dentist drilling or a bone cast being sawed. No moment was boring.

Another funny moment was when one of the Indian doctors with a heavy accent asked Ken to "clench teeth" and he said, "Yes, it's a clean shirt" in response. Once we figured out what was being said, we all had a good chuckle.

Other non-medical comments/ramblings, mostly based on Kinsey's and my adventures, some with a tour guide:

• While eating at a restaurant, a court jester showed up as the entertainment. This meant he walked around twirling his batons in the restaurant, dropping them often and consistently. Our game was to see how close he came to knocking glasses on tables, or flipping a baton as a waiter walked by with soup. Who hires a court jester?!

• One day, we turned in our laundry at noon to have it returned the next day at 4. At 5 or so we checked on it but it was nowhere to be found. Eventually found it, uncleaned of course. Somehow they managed to get them cleaned and back to us by 8:30, no small feat given they send the clothes out to be done.

• Indians are able to talk and listen at the same time (unlike the Wadsworths who can all talk at the same time).

• The Swastika symbol is a Hindu symbol for good fortune. It's been slightly startling to see it all over.

• We watched an "Action for Road Safety" car stop on the road and do a Chinese fire drill, switching drivers. Really?

• One of the wealthiest individuals here has a 27-floor high rise for his 5 family members, their 600 servants; three floors are dedicated to housing his collection of cars.

• People walk their dogs in Hong Kong at night when it's less crowded. In India, they do it during day because wild dogs roam at night

• At the hospital, Kinsey started laughing as she read Ken's EEG. "Only 2 1/2 minutes in and Dad's falling asleep!"

Well, we hope you understand our delay in posting these past few days. We are having a wonderful time, and looking forward to flying to Delhi tomorrow to begin our 'triangle tour' of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. We'll be in touch again!