A TALE OF THE BELIZE PRIVATE SECTOR MEDICAL MAFIA !

 A TALE OF THE GET RICH QUICK PRIVATE SECTOR MEDICAL MAFIA IN BELIZE.  In some cases as bad as the USA.  The experience of a 75 year old, poor, ex fisherman who apparently got cancer?

( from:  private correspondence in Belize )

Diane

Thank you very much daughter of mine for the offer of some money.  I believe Tina offered also, for her and Sharon?  I'll keep it in mind.  I already told Dr. Cobb at Universal Health Services I would not be squandering my savings on expensive treatment.  I was too poor. Nor do I think it appropriate at my age in life. He mentioned he could get me into the Guatemalan Cancer Institute, but did not know how much it costs?  Tina was going to find out from Reuben.   I might split with up to $5000, or perhaps $10,000 but no more.  I would rather just die at this age.  There is no point in my mind staying alive with a lower quality of life than I have now.  I'm already too old to do most things.  Physically at least.  I am enjoying life, but the computer and trading seem to be the extent of my activities and reading books. I would not like to destroy the small cash savings reserves we have, to enrich a medical mafia. Dr. Cobb is talking about cutting out the saliva gland and a string of lymph nodes as being necessary.    An operation they say will take 5 or 6 hours.  They would like another CAT SCAN, last one cost $350 as Dr. Cobb said the last one didn't give much information.  Will not I think, do that either.

  I got suckered by a Dr. Ferris, or Perez,  at Belize Medical Associates. ( Bait and switch scam )  I had called to KMH to see a Dr. Muringa, recommended by my Dr. out here.  They told me he was not available until Oct 23rd.  A girl phoned back from KMH very helpful, and said he was over at Belize Medical Associates. So I called there to talk to him.  I was shunted back and forth on the phone until I got this Dr. Ferris, Perez guy, who acted as a shill, or huckster for the facility.  Said Dr. Muringa was walking around and if I came over, he would introduce me.  So we went.  This Dr. Ferris guy set me down in a   patient cubicle to wait.  Took about an hour to see Dr. Muringira, but Dr. Ferris the shill was there controlling the interview.  Seems like Dr. Muringira is a floating Nicaraguan doctor and works three or more institutions.  Anyway I got my consultation, and they directed the talk to a biopsy.  They would do it right there right away.  This Dr. Ferris the sucker ( SHILL or huckster ) bait and switch come on guy ) kept coming around to the type of biopsy. So I went along with the conversation scaring my wife Silvia into apoplexy.  Started out with a needle biopsy was no good.  Then they would do it in surgery, then it would be under general anesthesia, etc., etc., etc.  I just kept agreeing to the sales pitch as they had me cornered in the patient cubicle. We were getting ready, when the billing clerk finally showed up with a bill for $3200 plus change,  to do the five minute deal. I went with her to the desk and yelped and said NO WAY.  I was too poor.  I had been warned at the Caye that a nephew of mine had got stuck with a $55,000 bill for two day stay, or something over there.  End of story I had to pay $160 to get out of that nest of thieves. I figure they are scamming the NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME with overpriced charges. In my opinion they are a MEDICAL MAFIA 'bust out' scam. ( like the USA mafia do with construction jobs ) Went back to KMH and ran into Dr. Muringa again and Dr. Zaiden, who talked to me again. He said he only gets $50 for the consultation and I guess I paid $110 to sit on the bed in the cubicle waiting for him? They said they were off to Mexico city for a symposium type medical training vacation leave.  Couldn't do anything until they got back and made an appointment, for Oct 23rd.  In the meantime, Sharon's advice at the Caye to see the Cuban Doctor at the clinic was taken over the weekend and I got a second opinion; which was an abscess from what at one time, must have been an infected tonsil. Sounded good to me.  She recommended another Cuban doctor at KMH, he didn't work afternoons, and I waited over the weekend at the Caye in Sharon's house.  We were exhausted from that Friday trip to Belize City and the running around.  Monday we went in and phoned the Cuban doctor and met him at KMH.  Very nice man.  He said, nobody will touch me without a biopsy and he wasn't sure at all it was an ABSCESS.  He said, it would take six months to get a biopsy at KMH, if I could, I should get the biopsy at my request privately. I agreed.  He phoned Dr. Cobb, which turned out to be Universal Health Services ( of the last Prime Ministers $20 million USA, alleged medical embezzlement scheme, intended to rip off Social Security with dialysis treatments )  under a new name. Dr. Cobb quoted me $150 for him and $400 for the biopsy, going to the USA and back for examination to see if it was malignant, or benign.  We agreed and thanked the Cuban doctor.  Offered him something for the clinic, which he refused, said he wanted to help people, that was his role in life. Very nice Cuban man. Took a taxi and saw Dr. Cobb who spent an hour with me, at what was once called Universal Health Services, examining me and came to the conclusion I had a saliva gland tumor which he thinks is malignant. One other Doctor at KMH also had that conclusion. ( Dr. Zeidan ) It's big already and Dr. Cobb said aggressive.  He's the local oncologist and apparently the only one in the country?  However, a biopsy is going to confirm one way or the other.  That tumor took 7 months to get to this size, so another six months in my opinion would double in size and  kill me. Cutting off the pulmonary artery, or the vein carrying oxygen to the brain.  We looked it up on the internet.  I paid my money and the lab technician made me sign another paper, saying I would pay any extra lab charges, as if it is a cancer, they will test for the type in the USA, which was not included.  I'm stuck like a rat in a trap, had to sign and agree. ( I hate sucker traps with open ended no cost quotes available, as they are a license to steal ). Dr. Cobb this is his specialty the ear, nose and throat, and he did a thorough examination.  I'm satisfied with his opinion. he stuck a light way down in my throat to look. Says there is a bulge on the back of throat where the tumor is pressing.  Been telling Silvia that for two months, as I can feel it.  So far it is not bothering me, but if it breaks through, it is all she wrote. If it is benign they can cut the gland out here.  If not, Dr. Cobb ( nice man and blunt which I liked )  says it is a 6 hour operation and will need the Cancer Institute in Guatemala City. They would do it here, but never get out all the malignant cells, it would be wasted money. I told him I'm a poor retired fisherman from the Caye and cannot pay exorbitant prices. If the cost was too much, I would just do without.  That was when he mentioned the Cancer Institute in Guatemala City.  Since Reuban had cancer treatment successfully over there, I'm waiting now to see how much this stuff costs.  To see if I will go ahead with it or not.  I don't want to live that bad enough, to waste my limited savings on medical stuff. Stripping my wife and her brother of the savings cushion.  Talking about worst case scenarios now at home, a nurse to come in and help here in Hillview for meals and stuff, and exploring finding a doctor who could and would take care of end of life, pain medicine. Don't know any here.  They are all greedy private sector, SOB's. The general practicioner is a thing of the past now in Belize.  Only the Cuban medical brigade provide those kind of doctors now in Belize.  See a Cuban doctor if you want to be happy. The locals are all on the get rich quick path, with selling testing services and pushing pills that do nothing, to keep you coming back.  Just want easy jobs.  Pill pushers.

  In the meantime, I am taking antibiotics.  Ended up being recommended an antibiotic at KMH, but had to buy it at a private pharmacy.  $140 or so for pills.  Turns out they are the same ones, I took for a week and did nothing, recommended by one of those cell tests things from the saliva. Will take them until I use them all, then cut them off.  Also taking Cur Cumin, which seems to help as an inflammatory.  Also taking herbal medicine, which is COLLOIDAL SILVER. Also a copper pill.  A metallic treatment for cancer cells off the internet. We hope this will kill off the malignant cells. Academically it is supposed to work, but I've increased the dosage and will do so, until my kidneys clog up and start hurting when clearing the dead cell debris. See if I can kill the bad cells faster than they grow. That I should know in the ten days I'm waiting around for the biopsy news.  I'm 75 years, right now with NO PROXIMA, which is the generic active ingredient in ALEVE pain pills, I am getting pain control for 12 to 15 hours and sometimes longer.  Functioning normally which is pleasant and fine. So long as that lasts, I'm good to go.  Exploring also alternatives, like suicide if the pain gets too much.  Got no religious feelings about that.  Glad to get a break here to clean up our affairs.  Which is mostly changing land titles to a Trust.  Trustees would be Me, Silvia and then Gustavo.  After that, it would be whoever is Trustees for the Auxillou Trust at the Caye.  Going to stick a FOR SALE sign on this building next week, soon as I can paint the sign, and we would move a block away to the duplex, which is not finished, but liveable.  Told Sharon to put an ad in the FLYER an sell our 2.5 acre ranchette in Florida, reduce it from $30,000 to $13,000 for a quick sale. Other than that, some kind of end of life plan is coming into shape.

                                      ___________________________________________________

From: Diane Auxillou
To: Ray Auxillou
Sent: Monday, October 1, 2012 10:54 PM
Subject: Re: Operation in 24 hrs, 10 a.m. Thursday a.m. here

Well, I figured I'd offer.  I budgeted myself and figure I could donate up to $1000 US if necessary towards your doctor bills.  That won't be anything if you have to go to Guatemala.  If you don't need it now I will hold it in reserve for you (just in case).  Would hate to think you deprived yourself from some medical relief if $1000 could make the difference.  I know it's not much in the scheme of things, but every little bit counts when the time comes.

Island Cheers,

Diane Auxillou

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On Oct 1, 2012, at 10:27 PM, Ray Auxillou <hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com> wrote:

Di

  You don't have to do that. We have savings here.  Just my Scotch blood, makes me cheap.  We can pay, it is budgeted so far.  I went to town with about $1800 and came back with $700.

---

From: Diane Auxillou
To: Ray Auxillou <hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, October 1, 2012 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: Operation in 24 hrs, 10 a.m. Thursday a.m. here

• 
  
• 

  9:48pm

  Diane Auxillou-Paitsell
  

  Hey Dad,

  I'm going to ask one of my girls at the office to reimburse you the $550 BZ you've spent so far. I'll send them an email about it. You can check with them this week if you are still at the caye. Let me know if / when you pick it up.  The drudgery of waiting for the biopsy results - ugh!
• Besides you're to feisty to be ill!!! - LMAO (teasing you).

  Kisses & much love,
  D.

Island Cheers,

Diane Auxillou

Real Estate Owner

Caye Caulker Realty

Caye Caulker, Belize 

Find & "LIKE" us on Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/Caye.Caulker.Realty
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Caye Caulker Realty: www.mycayecaulker.com

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From: Ray Auxillou <hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com>
To: Diane Auxillou
Cc: sil spinzon <silpinzon@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, October 1, 2012 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: Operation in 24 hrs, 10 a.m. Thursday a.m. here

I'll pass this message to Silvia for her notes.

---

From: Diane Auxillou
To: Ray Auxillou <hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 8:07 PM
Subject: Re: Operation in 24 hrs, 10 a.m. Thursday a.m. here

Oh Dad,

That is scary stuff :(

I hope it goes well for you.  I don't think you should be busing in your situation, certainly not on the return trip.  Plus you will need care after surgery to ward off infections.

Please send me Sylvia's email so we can stay in touch.  In the meantime, my phone number is listed below (at the bottom of all my emails).

Wishing you well.  Yikes! :(

Island Cheers,

Diane Auxillou

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Vacation Rentals: www.staycayecaulker.com 

Caye Caulker Realty: www.mycayecaulker.com 

On Sep 26, 2012, at 8:00 PM, Ray Auxillou <hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com> wrote:

I had a CT SCAN done yesterday.  I don't have a ganglion cyst, but a tumor, lymphoma cancer.  I've made tentative arrangements to have surgery done tomorrow at Belize Health Associates, in the port of Belize City.  The CT Scan showed that the tumor was displacing my jugular vein, the pulmonary artery, another artery that feeds the brain and also interfering with my throat.  Don't remember the name of the doctor.  But he was recommended by Dr. Godoy out here in the West.  Dr. Godoy said; while he could do it, it would be bloody and he doesn't have the nursing staff to assist, or the clinical tools for this more complicated surgery. So he recommended an oncologist.

  I was just going in to get a consultation by bus, at 6 a.m. and the appointment is for 10 a.m.  They more or less said they could do the surgery one time.  I hope so, as the 12 hour round trip to the port, is hard on this old man, by bus.  Silvia wanted me to let you know, beforehand, just in case. She tried to get phone numbers for you all, but we don't have them to phone you.

  Separately, Sharon; would you advertise my Hendry County 2.5 acres at a discount, for $13,000 in the FLYER.  Will take a 50% deposit and lease purchase the balance at 8.5% interest, if they want.  But full cash would be better.  You still have the POWER OF ATTORNEY and believe you might be a TRUSTEE for the Pitayha Trust anyway.  Silvia is very nervous about the surgery, as it would just take one nick in the pulmonary artery to screw things up.  I believe they are currently selling for $20,000.