When asked to write about my recent surgery and the process, I was as eager as anyone to know how it would go! To carry on from my last article, I wholeheartedly endorse the medical care at CMQ Hospital in Bucerias and my doctor Javier Díaz Núñez.
Of course, I was not looking forward to the surgery. The results, absolutely, but not the process.
Even though I had previous surgeries in Canada that I considered excellent, nothing compared to the ease and seamlessness of what I experienced a few days ago. Having been pre-approved by our VUMI insurance, we arrived at the hospital at 8 a.m. and the nurses and my husband, Chris, had the paperwork portion of the day out of the way promptly. We then were ushered to a huge and spotless private hospital room that had its own large TV and sofa. I told the nurse this was day surgery, assuming they thought I was staying overnight. Nope, this is their process.
Gowned up, they attached cute little sockies up to my knees and inserted the IV line. As I climbed onto my taxi—the bed which took me to the operating room—Dr. Javier called out to me that he’d be with me in a few minutes. At the operating room I was greeted by very sweet Dr. Santiago, who confirmed my allergies. The nurses moved me to the surgery bed … and that’s all I remember until I woke hours later.
Returned to my room where Chris was waiting, I was told I had to drink certain liquids and eat certain foods and if all that stayed down, I could go home. Chris had already been given all the drugs and info to get me through the next days until I saw the good doctor again. Seriously, I couldn’t imagine it going any smoother.
Blessing of the Fleet
From my recovery bed, January 24, I watched the fishermen’s pangas zooming by decorated ceremoniously for the pilgrimage from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerías to partake in a Mass and blessings in the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Paz.
Folks chose their viewing spot for the annual Blessing of the fleet. Some enjoy the quiet parade of boats, decorated by local fisher families leaving from the beaches of La Cruz. Others join in the zaniness as the fishermen ram the Bucerias beach with their pangas. Pescadores and boaters get blessed by the local priest on the beach, run to the church, then return to their pangas heading home to Marina Riviera Nayarit. The tradition is to bless the fishermen, their boats and their families for safety and abundance in the coming year.
Although I’ve never taken part in the Bucerias portion of the event, I understand the spectacle there is even more fabulous with local charros in traditional regalia on horseback, dancers, performances and lots of festive momentum. As always in Mexic,o food and drink are abundant.