Penang - Disaster strikes

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Wednesday 27 January/Thursday 28 January
After breakfast decided to visit SAMs famous Batik house, retail outlet specialising in traditional silk Batik designed clothes. The blurb said it was in Penang road, we checked the maps and found Laluan Penang close to the ferries and Fort Cornwallis. An easy 20 minute walk later found the Street - no Shop. Checked with a Lady in the Magic Museum, who burst out laughing as we were in Penang Street and wanted Penang Road, which was about 2 minutes from our hotel, eventually, after we circumnavigated Georgetown, we found our Destination but unfortunately it was closed until 1100 hrs so completely wasted trip in the very hot and humid streets. (Note: Paula had googled the opening and closing times prior to going, but info wrong - just saying) Our plan for the rest of the day was to get the 101 Bus and visit Penang National Park at Tamandua Negara and take the coastal/jungle trek to Monkey Bay, where the Monkeys apparently fish for Shell Fish and Monitor Lizards are plentiful. Stocking up with water from the park kiosk, we were encouraged to book a fishing boat to bring us back at a pre-agreed time. Being seasoned walkers, we were bemused, as the trek was a mere hour and quarter to or from the beach, but we thought it might be a fun mode of transport, so agreed and paid. As entrance to the park was free, we did not object to paying the £7 ferry fee. Immediately we entered the track we saw a large Lizard about 1.5 metres long sunning itself on the beach, this was the first of several we saw at the start of the trail then we encountered many little red monkeys, who were more interested in what we carried than any Shell Fish. Although used to walking in hot and humid Cyprus during summer months, we soon found that the high humidity and heat, coupled with climbing through and over fallen tree trunks and the ever rising and falling track soon left us completely soaked in our own sweat, whilst still suffering aches and pains, due to recovering from the previous walk down Penang Hill. The many steps on the bridges were also a challenge. None the less, about an hour and twenty five minutes later we emerged at the beach drenched and exhausted. The beach itself lacks all but basis facilities and the sea was filthy. From a photographic and scenic point of view however, it certainly looked as a tropical paradise should, as long as you didn't breathe too deeply, or look too closely! It was at this point that the day took a turn for the worse. On arrival at the beach, we immediately sought shade and emptied our remaining water supply. It then became apparent to Paula that Leo was struggling to recover from the exertion. He was experiencing acute chest pain, and sharp twinges along the whole of his arm, down to the fingertips of his left arm. We bought more water, rested and waited to see if the pain abated. Worryingly, it did not. Paula contacted the boat operator and asked for an immediate pick up. Returning along the trail was simply not an option at this point.We agreed that we were in the worst possible place for any medical assistance. It was not a comfortable time. By the time we had been returned to the Park entrance and a taxi flagged, we made the decision to ask the driver to recommend and deliver us to a local private hospital, rather than back to our hotel as we weren't sure what Leo's state of health was. The hospital was approx. 30 long minutes drive, but we arrived at the Adventist Hospital and Leo was immediately shown to A and E.With high blood pressure and chest pains the Dr called her Consultant Cardiologist a Mr Tan. He recommended full CT and Angiagram,X ray, Ultra sound , ECG Stress test and full bloods plus overnight stay for observation and results. whilst this process started Paula was dragged off to the Cashiers to pay a huge deposit. Such a fraught 24 hours ensued with Paula going back to the Hotel alone trying to cancel onward flights, cars and Hotels, whilst Leo suffered in silence with regular OBs between tests, Mr Tan came back in the evening and said the lungs and heart were OK as per X ray and bloods were fine and didn't indicate a heart attack, the stress test were inconclusive and needed the results of the Angiogram but most likely a blocked artery or potentially several requiring 1 to multiple Stents inserting, or even a By-Pass. He then went on to detail the costs starting at tens of thousands of MYR and climbing. Given all sorts of medicines and pain killers Leo went off to sleep in a stupor . The following morning better news arrived. Results confirmed good heart, but trauma to neck disc, responsible for arm , chest and hand pain. Mr Tan left us with armfuls of pills and many instructions on how to achieve a long and happy life, which includes daily meditation! So, we left the hospital by Taxi returning to our Hotel for an unscheduled further night in Georgetown, with Leo still sore and warned off carrying heavy loads, we are restricted for a few days in our mode of travel, Taxis at least for now and no heavy back packs on shanks's pony. We managed, with relief to book morning flights to Langawi and left Penang with no regrets, for us it was never the Shangri-La that the New York Times says everyone should visit before they die, in fact Leo thought you probably visited there to die! Langkawi here we come.......

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Comments

[keith & diane jones]

how are you both
Sat down, logged on to enjoy your tales, but.... very worrying for you both, absolutely horrible, well done getting to hosp asap and having such a through check. So very relieved to hear Leo has not come to serious harm, as we too are quite fond of the dear old thing...(well not so old, just a term of endearment.....) Enjoy the rest of your trip and we're looking forward to seeing you May.

[Sheila lammin]

Fright
Just finished reading the Penang blog . Cannot believe it what a shock. Hope everything ok now will carry on reading. Did insurance cover?

[kevlin]

Insurance?
Hello Sheila and Danny Thank you for kind concerns re brother. We don't know about the insurance yet. We didn't have a Malaysian SIM card, so couldn't phone them. The hospital just wanted the credit card pledge for payment, so because I wanted Leo aliv, we just paid ?