I haven't had any solid output for five days. "Output" is semi-obscure medical jargon for shit, or really, anything that comes out of my stoma and into my colostomy bag. All that's coming out now is shitty liquid from the broth I've been consuming. So, also, I haven't had any solid food for five days either. I'm terrified of ripping my colon.
So, it's likely an intestinal blockage, but not the painful kind, nor apparently the kind that goes away by itself. I've had a few painful ones over the years. They feel like the first time all over again.
I don't know what's causing it, but for now I just feel tightness in my abdomen that hasn't gone away and, of course, a lot of hunger.
I would be able to handle this myself financially, at least initially, if I hadn't recently lost six students in a slow cascade. The sequence of which would be comical if it weren't so damaging. I lost most of these students to vacation or work trips—one to a job loss and another just because she's a cheapskate. Another student just canceled yesterday, complaining about my requirement for students to use headphones or earbuds during classes. No one has ever complained about that before, but she's a business owner, and I've found that students with money can be handfuls, if you know what I mean. She claims she can't hear herself. I would of course work with her on that and make an exception, but she's not even answering my emails.
Also, although I can order colostomy bags through Amazon US—I never thought I would be grateful to Amazon—and they're one-third cheaper than buying them here, it's still a large proportion of my income as a part-time English teacher. Plus, I just had to replace my headphones. I can't really teach without headphones. All of these expenses and income losses have come at exactly the wrong time, or the right time if the universe is trying to create a crisis for me. Good job on that, universe.
Anyway. I need help immediately. Medical care is not free for foreigners in Mexico as it was in Argentina. I can use the public system, but I have to pay. Luckily, everything is at least 50% less than it is in the States, and you will always know how much things are before you accept the treatment. What a novel idea! No one here is going to answer. How much? with "I don't know."
I know I'll need a CT scan, and that will likely cost about $300 USD out of pocket if I want to get the results back quickly, which I do.
Anyway, if you can help, I would be grateful. My life is pretty simple, but as I've thought about the ramifications of what's happening to me now, I'm finding I'm pretty attached to it, unlike 10 years ago. Who knew?