My Unexpected 11-Day Hospital Stay in France

In answer to the question, "Where ya been?"

[This is a slightly-tweaked version of something I posted on Facebook on November 13. It explains why I haven’t been on here for a while.]

Friends,

I wanted to give all of you an update on recent events in my life that, for one thing, have prevented me from preparing for the live Bible studies we usually do on Facebook on Wednesday nights, and which I had thought I would resume on November 13. (The studies, edited a bit, become episodes of my Route 66 podcast series.)

On October 24, my wife and I, along with dear friends, flew to England. There we did four days of traveling on our own in London and other places in Southeast England. We had an enjoyable four days there.

We then took the train from London to Paris, where we connected with a Seine River cruise, which was to have ultimately taken us to the battlefields of Normandy. (The schedule then called for three days back in London and environs with the company doing the cruise.)

However, from our first day in France, it was clear that I had become ill. Later, I learned that while in England, I had contracted a salmonella bacteria.

Three days into our time on the Seine, during which I’d seen nothing but our suite, I was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Rouen, France. I consider it one of the greatest blessings of my life that I ended up at that hospital, where I received excellent care.

The issues were these:

I was suffering from renal failure.

I was severely dehydrated.

My potassium levels were dangerously low, a consequence of which was that for the first time since 2011, when a device was installed in my chest, my defibrillator/pacemaker was engaged. (Those who warned me about how that feels were right when saying such an eventuality would be like getting kicked in the chest by a mule.)

I never ran a fever and I never experienced pain. But I think it’s safe to say that my life was in danger

We were in contact with our wonderful GP here in Ohio as I underwent treatment in Rouen. He fully endorsed the plan of care pursued by the hospital in Rouen.

While the bacteria had been killed off by the regimen of antibiotics given to me by this past Friday, the French infectious disease agency, informed of my case, mandated that for the protection of others and myself, I continue to receive antibiotics throughout this past weekend. I appreciate their caution and their action underscores the importance of governmental agencies like that looking out for the health and well-being of all people.

My doctors and nurses were excellent. They also demonstrated great care and great humor. Through it all, Google Translate became an invaluable tool.

We were blessed to have travel insurance which will compensate us for the planned but canceled flight from London back home, scheduled for November 8. This insurance will also cover the costs of the hotel where my wife stayed, our transportation from Rouen to Paris, my wife’s meals and flight, and other expenses

The cost of my 11 day stay at a French hospital was—wait for it—just $16,000! That includes everything: care, medication, tests, and so on. My Medicare Part B plan will compensate us for that almost entirely.

I guess all of this is to say that if you’re going to get sick somewhere, you could do worse than to do so in France. Words could never express my gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and even the government of France.

Some of you knew about my situation and have been praying for me. I can tell you for sure that God has heard your prayers in the name of our Savior Jesus .

At 6:00 AM French time on November 12, we were picked up at our hotel in Rouen and driven the two hours to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris for the flight to Cincinnati. There, the friends with whom we’d first set off for Europe in October picked us up and took us to their home, where our car had been parked for three weeks.

As you can imagine, I am deeply grateful to God for sparing my life another time. (By my reckoning, this is at least the fourth time God has intervened to save my life over the years.) The enormity of it all didn’t really hit me until near the end of our flight home. I spied the emotional ending of ‘Angels in the Outfield,’ a light family drama, being watched by a passenger in a seat ahead of us. It triggered a tear began and soon I was covering my face as I sobbed uncontrollably, grateful to God for saving my life.

I don’t fear death. I agree with my dad who on his deathbed told his nurse, “I know where I’m going. I know who I belong to. I’m good to go.” But, like everyone, I suppose, I’m greedy for more time on this earth. For me, that means more time with my wife and my family. Imperfect as I am, sinner though I am, I am graced by God in Christ, despite the fact that I do not deserve having eternal life with God that is already mine because of Christ. And so I will continue to try to use my life to point others to the life and forgiveness God gives us through Jesus Christ alone.

My wife snapped the accompanying picture when I stepped out of the hospital after being discharged on November 11. I continue to recuperate.

God bless you.

PS: I lost about twelve to thirteen pounds, which is good in itself, although I don't recommend this particular diet plan.