Emergency Surgery in North Africa - Sailing Helios S02E02

[@larrygould8246]

Glad to hear you’re going to be fine! Best wishes.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@ernie7065]

So glad I watched your later videos first... you never know. So glad you are as you are now. I want to continue traveling with you both.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you Ernie. We now have a renewed focus on being healthy so that we can keep sailing for as long as possible. We will be sailing for a long time yet! Thanks for following us. Jude.

[@ezequieldiaz1950]

FELICITACIONES POR LA PRONTA RECUPERACION CAPITAN !! LOS 2 HACEN UN GRAN EQUIPO QUE BUENO TENER UNA DOCTORA ABORDO ES PERFECTO !!! SALUDOS DESDE ARGENTINA Y BUENOS VIENTOS !!!

[@terryjacob8169]

Very glad you're doing well. Very best wishes to you both.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you Terry. We appreciate your kind words. Richard is better than he’s been in ages. We are now focusing on maintaining our good health so we can do this amazing lifestyle for as long as possible.

[@valguz3]

Great video. So happy with the outcome.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. So is Richard! He’s now better than he’s been for ages.

[@Scubachick67]

Oh my word, even watching that was an emotional roller coaster. I was shocked, nearly in tears and then laughing about Richard's enlarged organ and then shocked again. That's enough medical problems guys. I'm emotionally invested in you, so you are not allowed any more illness. Happy anniversary and wishing you many more to come

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you, we are very much intending to have no more medical problems. In fact I feel a lot better than I have done in years. I think that gallbadder has been bad for a while.

[@moonhand8311]

Glad you got thru it all. I'm amazed you managed to record it all so well. You hit the nail on the head at the end. You got lucky. Better lucky than anything else!

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Yes, luck was on our side.

[@DavidBurnett1]

A tough, tough time for you both! And during all of this, you each found the strength and courage to document each day, each turn of events. Impressive to say the least! You Richard in hospital, wondering what was in store for you - and thinking of Jude back on the boat, alone and worried for her beloved. You Jude, having to navigate a foreign system, tend as best you could for Richard - and during all this stress, also look after yourself and your floating home. We thank you for sharing such a distressing time, and for such a raw and emotional account.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thanks David. We thought it was important to document our experience as it is very easy to imagine/be told by others what we should be scared of in other countries. To date I have never found any country even close to any warning However, we were not expecting it to get as serious as it did and glad that it turned out ok with the good care of the people of Tunisia.

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Good connections with wonderful humans is KEY 🇨🇦 ❤

[@sailinghelios2023]

Indeed. We had wonderful support from the cruising community and locals.

[@TheSailingAussies]

What an unexpected turn of events, but it's truly wonderful to see that you've both managed to pull through. The added layer of being far from home, navigating a foreign country and language, amplifies the situation's complexity. Encountering a medical emergency at home or abroad can indeed be jolting, reminding us to pursue aspirations and prioritise what truly matters-a lesson I must also take to heart.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Yes, it was a good reminder to us that it was a good decision to set off and have these adventures while we can as things can change very quickly.

[@astridaus]

Wow! I am blown away by your very emotional experience and so glad that you both were so well supported. Thanks for sharing your story and very relieved that you had medical treatment in time, Richard. You guys are just amazing. Take care! S xx

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Its a story we wanted to capture but didn't expect for it to get that serious.

[@astridaus]

Looking forward to catching up on all your videos. Stay well!

[@Milkybar882]

Good to see you are recovering and glad you got treatment quickly.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. I very thankful of the doctors and nurses that looked after me

[@marklong8875]

Tears of joy, now, for you both. Was getting worried that we hadn't heard from you, but now completely understand. Wow, your vlog production is fabulous, or should I say amazing under the circumstances! Thankyou for sharing. Congratulations on your 1st big anniversary 🎉

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. It certainly knocked me out for a while and delayed the start to the season but I am all better now.

[@lazzj4995]

So pleased you jumped in early and let us know u r ok. Cost seemed incredibly cheap- so was not surprised by portugal example.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Yes we were very surprised with the price in Tunisia. Dental is very cheap there as well but seems to be very good. I had a crown done over winter that cost $300 AUD. And, I agree, I was shocked by the price in Portugal. I assume they had a similar stay in hospital as me but still it seemed like a lot of money and a very good reason to have insurance.

[@MOTOUK1]

So glad you’re ok and it just puts everything into perspective. I am sailing our boat up from Milford haven uk to north west uk where i will get her ready to head to the med early next year. Thank you both for this video and all your other ones, onwards and upwards. Keep up the fantastic work on the videos 🙏

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Hope all goes well with getting your boat ready

[@richardbeardmore9166]

Our thoughts, prayers and relief are going to you both.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@BillWoodillustrator]

So relieved to know that everything worked out for you both. Pretty impressive medical care it seems in some North African countries, so that’s impressive.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thanks Bill. Yes, the medical services were good. Its common for yachties to get a lot of things checked and fixed over the winter months in countries like Tunisia becuase the systems are good and the prices are cheap.

[@lesleysmith8300]

So glad all turned out well. Take care ❤😊

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@TheLiljedahl]

So happy for you and glad you are ok. Makes Monastir an even better place to stay next winter. ⛵️😄

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. If you need any dental work done then I would do it there. Cheap and very good.

[@andrewmcfarlane5040]

Blimey, that was an adventure you didn't need. Glad you are recovering well and you both had support from good people. Be well.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Glad to have the thing gone but could have done without the drama. I didn’t realise they could be so dangerous

[@phillip1115]

Wow, can I ever relate to your story, albeit about 45 yrs ago. Gall bladder attack in a strange city on a business trip. Luckily the ER surgeon knew my GP so I flew home and ended up in surgery a day later with a gall bladder that was on the verge (?) of being gangrenous. Believe me I feel your pain. So glad for you it has turned out well.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Before this I always thought problems with gallbladders were just stones and while painful, were not that serious. Boy was I wrong. Glad to rid of the thing as it has caused me some problems for a while.

[@irenedavo3768]

My Daughter had Gall Bladder removed!

[@marpa0]

I'm happy you are well mate! ❤

[@sailinghelios2023]

Me too, thank you

[@drewhenry7255]

Richard, i haven't been watching any of your video until now. Too busy. This one was a bit of a shock, good to know it all worked out. Now I'll watch a few more, cheers.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Hi Drew, hope all is well back in Melbourne. All good with me now and enjoying being back out on the water. Hope you enjoy a few more

[@lplate1000]

Glad you are ok 🙏🏻🙂

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@lachlanolsen3790]

Glad you are all ok

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@johnsieverssr8288]

I'm glad you're okay❤

[@geoffrowe4939]

One hell of a women Jude Deep inside I’m sure you were suffering But kept it strong for Richard I’m a male,but would have been an emotional wreck Live the dream guys Regards from Newcastle Australia 🇦🇺

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. I was very concerned because Richard was at risk but not too upset. That’s not going to help him. I’m a psychologist so I suppose that helps. I’m good in emergencies. 😊. Thanks for your kind words.

[@aztekjp]

A healthy lifestyle, love and living with nature will heal you forever *

[@josepmassot4696]

👍 enhorabuena buf!! me teniais preocupado

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you, I was a bit worried too but was well looked after by Jude and the people at the hospital

[@sgaar]

Glad that you are better. Was starting to wonder where you all had gone since we haven't heard from you. As for cost, well just be happy you didn't have to go through this in the US. While the cost in Portugal was a good chunk of money, had it been in the US it would not have been 34000 Euro but at least $500000 for the same thing. Now , you would have had a TV in your room 🙂 color even. Look forward to more from Richard and Jude soon.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you. Yes, our insurance covers us everywhere, other that the US. But lets not go down that rabbit hole.

[@kikikirk]

Glad you're ok

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you, me too.

[@tarekhamid3882]

Best wishes for cruise-free-complications... for both of you.

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@thegrandtraveller9737]

My best wishes to both of you 😀

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@maesy6730]

I m surprised your gall bladder was in such a state and you didn't suffer pain weeks beforehand .Glad to hear you are well. Cant believe the Portugal cost, in the UK to have it done private is around £5000. All the best.

[@sailinghelios2023]

I would have thought so too. However you don’t get the sharpie pain like gallstones and the pain is in the centre of your chest so it feels like heart burn instead. Also because it is practically dead it stops being able to give you pain.

[@stewartwilkinsonsnr]

S02E02 Completed: I’m sitting here so emotional, may I offer my belated Happy Wedding Anniversary wishes, tears just rolled out my eyes when you were in the hospital. Richard you sure have an amazing wife, I love your chemistry together. Love to you both, please forgive me for raising this again as I know I’m a few episode behind. xx❤️💙⛵️

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you Stewart, I feel like we are going through our journey all over again through your eyes. I am happy to say I am all better, in fact much better than I have been for years and you are right, I sure have an amazing wife. Regards Richard

[@stewartwilkinsonsnr]

@ Thank you Richard glad you are all better Regards to you and Jude xx

[@dudeatmenangle]

Wow that would have been scarey!!

[@sailinghelios2023]

At the time I didn’t realise how serious it was getting so not too bad. Much better now it is gone

[@Sometungsten]

10.19.24 This video appeared in my que out of the blue. Interesting story. C-reactive protein is a new topic for me, I read a little about it. I have viewed other cruiser videos who received medical attention overseas. It is always interesting. You story was probably the worst condition that I recall. Otherwise, some broken bones, puncture wounds, a hiatal hernia, kids with infections, a fractured C vertebra... One woman punctured herself twice with a kitchen knife: one tip first into the top of her foot and the other a through and through of her hand. She and her male partner didn't know it was all the way though until he bandaged the entry wound and they still saw blood dripping. As I recall, everyone got good medical attention. One woman did fly back to the states to get a second opinion for something; the place she went to was a small clinic in the Bahamas. I don't recall the reason, but it was not an emergency. Anyway, glad to see that all went well except for the soup.

[@AHmad-pm4pb]

GWS. ❤ Maybe you can talk about the various medical insurance that cover you comprehensively.

[@sailinghelios2023]

As we travel full time we need a special kind of insurance. It’s like a travel insurance but rather than being limited to a short trip, it can go on indefinitely. It covers public care where available and private care when public is not available. It covers repatriation to another place for better medical care or sending one or both of us home for more extended treatment. As Australians, we have a great public system waiting for us at home, so if we were repatriated we’d be covered at home. It’ll even cover emergency assistance such as helicopter to the boat on an ocean - that’s why we need something more than a travel insurance designed for holidays. We have Topsail. They have been fantastic.

[@jackechan1311]

peace

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thank you

[@markrabone6584]

Who was the insurance company?

[@sailinghelios2023]

We are with Topsail insurance. It’s designed for yachties. We could not have been happier. I didn’t think that insurance was anything more than recuperating costs but they did so much in monitoring Richard’s health and treatment.

[@sailinghelios2023]

We are with Topsail insurance. It’s designed for yachties. We could not have been happier. I didn’t think that insurance was anything more than recuperating costs but they did so much in monitoring Richard’s health and treatment.

[@patrickkleine9954]

wel i hat 5 year a go and i hat to whait 4 4weeks give me 4weeks pain killers and there were heavy but the pain was so bad i was hyperventilating

[@sailinghelios2023]

Hope you’re all good now. Take care of yourself.

[@charley22123]

The Gallbladder pain is unbearable and as marker women who have experienced it state it is more painful than childbirth . apple juice for 2 weeks helps break the stones down as well as laying either on the left or right side .as the stones block the exit hole and cause the pain or infection . i was unlucky in that i got a severely bad infection whilst on holiday in the Maldives , nightmare i managed the pain through several flights and connections . Eventually i did have it out after the doc said in 45 mins i would be out ,it was 3.5 hrs later and 4 nights in Hospital .As i was also given a epidural and morphine of which i did not use and the doctor forced me to press the button , Needless to say i refused and was up walking around and eating the same day i have now a scar akin to being bitten by a shark .must be the Viking blood . safe journey and keep the blog and bikini's coming .

[@sailinghelios2023]

Thanks for watching. Sounds like yours was very painful. It is certainly not something I would wish on anyone. My gallbladder didn't have any stones in the end, just full of sludge and pretty much dead by the time they pulled it out. I think as you experienced, they are not something to take lightly

[@charley22123]

@@sailinghelios2023 Pasties are a no no even now i am weary of foods that caused the pain .

[@R.E.HILL_]

Good it ended well.. but don't worry, a fine woman like her.. she'll find a new guy fast.. To soon..?😉🙂

[@JudeCrigan]

Hah! I keep telling him he’s a lucky bastard! 😂 Jude

[@sailinghelios2023]

.

[@eyoyo642000]

Man here in the states that would’ve been about $40,000

[@clayrowe3509]

Glad you’re ok