This book would never have been completed without the following people:
Dr. Alejandro Ramirez Rios and staff from the Hospital San Javier Marina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, who literally saved my life in February 2017. I had a serious case of pneumonia and was intubated for five days and in hospital for almost three weeks. I don’t know why I got this second chance, but I did. Not only did I get excellent medical care, I got compassionate care. I have no recollection of the first week and when I did regain full consciousness, I had no mobility. I could not move my arms, hands, feet. I could not roll over. I was dead weight and completely helpless. Whenever I apologized for the extra effort I caused, they said, “No Miss Pamela, that is why we are here. We want you to get better.” Special thanks to nurses Mario Alberto Esparza and Jaime Roberto Arvizu Partida who gave extraordinary compassion and uplifted me in my moments of despair. My respirologist at home advised me I was lucky to be alive and that I owed the doctor in Mexico a thank you note!
Dr. Alejandro Ramirez Rios and staff from the Hospital San Javier Marina in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, who literally saved my life in February 2017. I had a serious case of pneumonia and was intubated for five days and in hospital for almost three weeks. I don’t know why I got this second chance, but I did. Not only did I get excellent medical care, I got compassionate care. I have no recollection of the first week and when I did regain full consciousness, I had no mobility. I could not move my arms, hands, feet. I could not roll over. I was dead weight and completely helpless. Whenever I apologized for the extra effort I caused, they said, “No Miss Pamela, that is why we are here. We want you to get better.” Special thanks to nurses Mario Alberto Esparza and Jaime Roberto Arvizu Partida who gave extraordinary compassion and uplifted me in my moments of despair. My respirologist at home advised me I was lucky to be alive and that I owed the doctor in Mexico a thank you note!
Belen Hernandez and Leila Vazquez from Adrehab Rehabilitación Avanzada, who exercised my lifeless limbs until I could do it myself and taught me to walk again. The ‘devils’ were totally committed to my recovery. I never worked so hard in my life. Luna Mendiola Yahaira, Cesar Rojas, and relief staff from Proviquer Servicios Profesionales, who provided loving twenty-four hour nursing care after I was discharged from the hospital until I had enough mobility to fly home. They took it upon themselves to learn my rehabilitation routine so that I could do it on the days that Belen and Leila were not available.
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When I was finally able to text on my cell phone, I noticed a message from the father of the family we befriended in Mexico. I was able to text enough that he understood I was in the hospital. He came to the hospital the next day to see how I was. That was an hour and a half bus ride on a day that he was working.
I am fully recovered. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am for the care I received, but also the cheerful disposition with which it was given. Because of them, I was able to dance with my son at his wedding several months later. These people work so hard for so little. No, Donald Trump, you cannot assume just some Mexicans are good people. Most are. I consider them all my extended family in Mexico.
I am fully recovered. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am for the care I received, but also the cheerful disposition with which it was given. Because of them, I was able to dance with my son at his wedding several months later. These people work so hard for so little. No, Donald Trump, you cannot assume just some Mexicans are good people. Most are. I consider them all my extended family in Mexico.
Many thanks to those who edited my work during various stages, providing insights and improving the quality of the manuscript. Special thanks to Maria Diakantoniou, who provided several rounds of copyediting in the final stages. Not only was she meticulous and persistent, but she was patient with me and provided encouragement. Maria persevered in providing assistance even when the project became more than either of us anticipated, despite competing priorities. When she was unable to continue, she did not abandon me, but rather, she referred me to Ryan Paterson to edit the print outlays. This book is much improved because of their editing and feedback.
My family and friends, who have not abandoned me through this journey.
My family and friends, who have not abandoned me through this journey.
