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Dr Lerida Rodriquez ordered bed rest and more tests

by tacogirl 13/02/2014
written by tacogirl 13/02/2014
belize doctor

The cost of doctors and medical in Belize is an area that many people are interested in when they are researching the possibility of living here. Just like anywhere, it can vary greatly depending who you see and what is wrong. Overall I have been satisfied with my medical care here and thankfully have not required anything major.

It started over the weekend with mild discomfort and progressed pretty quick to where I felt like I had a full out war going on inside me. I made an appointment with Dr.Lerida Rodriquez for her earliest available time Monday afternoon, and thankfully Shirlee was at our place working with me on Belize Red Cross stuff and I scored a ride. Dr Lerida agreed something was not right and immediately ordered me for lab tests and gave me some pills – cost $95 bzd. 

The next day I managed to make an iced coffee to start my day and tacoboy drove me to the lab for 7:00 am on his way to work. The guy drawing my blood did an excellent job. I did not watch him put it in, because then I would have actually felt the needle go in. Everything there went fast and easy, and the cost was $219 BZD for a bunch of tests.

The following day I was still feeling worse and I had entered my own private version of hell, being hungry as normal but not being able to eat because of the pain. I called the doctors office and the receptionist told me my results were back and asked where I lived, saying if I could get there before noon she would squeeze me in. It was 11:30 and I hustled fast to make sure I got in before lunch. 

The good news was all the lab work did not turn up a parasite or anything. The bad news is still major discomfort and not sure exactly what was wrong. Thankfully after Dr. Lerida examined me further she determined it could be an infection, and took more tests. She was so nice and seeing I was distressed by the pain, Dr Lerida talked with me a bit doing her best to make me feel better. She totally understood how it is that life does not stop just because your body decides to, and how when you work for yourself it is often hard to find the balance. Cost of visit and 3 medications she prescribed $236 BZD, Dr Lerida’s words of wisdom priceless.

Although I am still in pain, after starting the meds she gave me I am confident she is on the right track. I go back tonight for an ultrasound to check kidneys and liver and to see what the results from yesterday were.  For now I am going to follow doctors orders and back going to bed to rest.

If you are ever in need of a doctor on Ambergris Caye, Dr Lerida has an excellent reputation and I know many people (locals and a few tourists) who would recommend her with a gold star. If you need an appointment, call her office number at 226-2197 , or in case of an emergency, her cell is 620-1974.

belize medical

She immediately knew something was not right and sent me to the lab for tests.

medical in belize

Getting blood work done.

medical lab beize

New location of the lab on Middle street.

belize food

Stopped by the Baker on my way home for an emergency sandwich. that I could not eat.

belize roads

I was happy to see small gravel on the road for a change instead of big rocks.

belize medical

Back to Dr Lerida’s the next day for more tests.

roads in belize

Tamara and I were super happy to see 2 big loads of hardcore being dispersed on our street.

Related

tacogirl

Laurie Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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16 comments

Charlotte 19/02/2014 - 8:32 pm

I find I get a lot of colds in a tropical climate too. Is it from the humid air?

Reply
Tracey 19/02/2014 - 10:48 am

Hi Laurie,

Are you feeling any beter?

Tracey

Reply
tacogirl 19/02/2014 - 10:53 am

Feeling a bit better Tracey and just following Dr Lerida’s orders and resting as much as I can till I go fr next test on Friday morning.

Reply
Alex Lovett 19/02/2014 - 12:38 am

Hi Laurie,

Very sorry to hear you have not been well. We are thinking of you and hope you get a diagnosis soon. Wishing you all the best to resume good health.

Alex and Elisa

Reply
tacogirl 19/02/2014 - 10:52 am

Thanks Alex and Elisa, have a partial diagnosis and am scheduled for more testing.

Reply
Emily 17/02/2014 - 10:08 pm

We also found we were ill more on the island than back in the US. Mostly just colds — way more than our usual (less than one per year in the US) — but Barry also had a bad infection in his finger, which is what took him to Dr. Lerida’s office. I think one reason we caught more colds is tourists bringing down germs we were not immune to from all over the world!

Reply
tacogirl 19/02/2014 - 10:50 am

Aside from catching more colds, I have also heard people here can have more breathing issues Emily from all the dust.

Reply
Charlotte 14/02/2014 - 5:59 pm

Get well soon. Take care of yourself.

Reply
tacogirl 14/02/2014 - 6:55 pm

Thanks Charlotte. Ultrasound turned up nothing, just doing as much rest as I can. Have to wait till Monday or Tuesday for the next result.

Reply
Miranda 13/02/2014 - 1:39 pm

Hi, Laurie. I hope you are feeling better. I am wondering what medicines the doctor gave you, if that’s not too personal. As a nurse, I am curious what she was covering you for.
Where is this doctor located? I will be on the island soon, and need to know these things.
Also, do you have a dentist you recommend?
BTW, I appreciate
Alan’s comments also. I find a little( read: LOT) of alcohol intake is purely medicinal!

Reply
tacogirl 13/02/2014 - 4:02 pm

Hi Miranda can you pls shoot me an email reminder of your questions. Following doctors ordets and still resting. I go for ultrasound in an hour.

Reply
Alan Slater 13/02/2014 - 12:34 pm

Hi Laurie,
My comments seem few and far between, but I still read your blog every day, as I do with John Henry’s blog. Love your pix.
Anyhooooo….. about your latest bout with health…have you ever thought that you might have too much blood in your alcohol stream??? I have mine checked on a regular basis and find that if the blood count is higher than 1/2 of 1% total, I could be in danger of some kind of relapse and lean heavy on the Bordeaux, Margeaux, or at a pinch Malbec. I am sure Dr. Al would agree. Get well soon.
Alan S.

Reply
Tracey 13/02/2014 - 10:43 am

Feel better soon Laurie.

Tracey

Reply
tacogirl 13/02/2014 - 10:45 am

Thanks Tracey.

Reply
Emily 13/02/2014 - 10:24 am

Hope you feel better soon, Laurie. Seems like you’ve been sick a lot over the past couple of years… 🙁 Dr. Lerida is excellent, though!

Reply
tacogirl 13/02/2014 - 10:35 am

Thanks Emily, it does seem that way. Charlotte made a comment awhile back about tropical living and getting sick more in a hot climate. I am sure Dr. Al chimed in on that before too.

Reply

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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
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I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
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I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
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I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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