Asheville to Argentina

[nantahala]

This isn't really a ride report, but the blog is an interesting read.  This is a friend of mine, Shannon, and his friend, Dan, on a ride down south.  They have been gone for 3 months and were hoping to get back by the end of December, but Shannon just got hit by a car last Friday in Peru.  

It doesn't sound like he was hurt terribly bad, but does anybody know what the medical care is like down there?  I guess it's not an adventure until something goes wrong, but being in a hospital down there seems a little worrisome.  Who has been to southern Peru?

Hopefully I'll get an update to his condition soon.  Thanksgiving in a hospital bed...  oh boy.  

Here is the link to the blog.

And here are some good pics from along the way:





















Matt

[MK96xj]

Shannon can't get a break. First his bike stolen before the trip and now this

I can not speak first hand on Peru but if he can get to a major city he has a better chance at some quality care.

Hope all works out and he can continue on.

[miles]

If he's in a decent sized city the medical care is pretty good in Peru.  If he's in BFE it's much shakier ground.

[nantahala]

An update this morning from Shannon's wife who flew down over the weekend:

Friends:
 
Thank you for all your wonderful emails and support. I apologize in advance for not answering you individually, but know that I'm being efficient (as always) with time and energy. AND Shannon and I will be able to read all of them again at the hospital Thanksgiving day.
 
Okay, I have a lot of people on this email so (I apologize if I've left someone off) ... as you may know now (or not) over the weekend my husband was hit by a taxi cab in Peru. It was a rural area in Peru and his travel insurance air-lifted him not once but twice to get to a hospital to receive appropriate care.
 
I wanted to give you an update on my husband, Shannon's, progress from Peru. After his surgery, I asked him how do you feel and he said, "Refreshed." Not sure how he feels refreshed after being catapulted by a cab driver while on his KTM motorcycle, but that's my husband ... upbeat, positive and always making an adventure out of whatever happens in life. So, here's more on our latest 'adventure.'
   
Ironically, when our dogs get hurt, Shannon always says, "Let 'em walk it off." That's what the first doctor in Albancay, Peru said. I find that ironic and we had a good laugh about it yesterday.
 
He can't walk it off. In fact, he needed 5 screws, 1 plate and plenty of hospital care. While he can't speak very well with his doctors, he did get across he likes now being the BIONIC MAN and while I could say anything I did pantomime the BIONIC MAN running yesterday and had all the nurses and doctors laughing while they checked on his progress.
 
He sat up in a chair yesterday for the first time since Friday's accident and says he feels great. They anticipate he'll be discharged to me on Friday so one week later. Not too bad considering the first doctor said he'd be bed ridden "walking it off" for seven weeks. May I say, I love modern medicine.
 
He'll be here with me at the apartment I rented on Friday they think. So don't feel badly for us on one window we can see the mountains and from another window the ocean. Last night I watched a para-sailer at sunset from the terrace and since it has WIFI internet I'm working just like I do from North Carolina. Piece of cake -- check out how nice it is and on Dec 3rd we move to another apartment a family friend is setting up for us so we are well taken care of while here. The landlord of this apartment even set me up with a safe driver I can call to go anywhere with an hour's notice.

We are doing well. Thanks for all you're doing to support us emotionally. I'm working normally and Shannon is recovering well. We hope to be home by December 19th. Feel free to email us. Of course, all we have to do is read emails and work from the apartment :-)