Chennai

Hi again to everyone,
We arrived in Chennai just before midnight last night after a very good 2 hr 50 min flight with Thai Airways from Bangkok. We were a bit anxious on the way to Bangkok Airport as we were caught in a mammoth Friday night commuter traffic snarl but we had allowed plenty of time thank goodness and we needed it. A wheelchair was organised for Jean at check-in and, apart from it being great for her in avoiding a very long walk, it also meant that we were prioritised all the way so had a minimum of delay.
The 2 hr. 50 min. flight from Bangkok with Thai Airways was very comfortable and had more legroom than we'd been used to in recent times. Just as well given Jean's level of discomfort and pain. We were met at Chennai International and driven the 11 kms. to the hospital arriving around 0100 on the 23rd. We were escorted to our suite which consists of Jean's room which also has a daybed in it for yours truly! It has its own bathroom and a sitting room off that with a small fridge and microwave. Very well setup and apparently there's a big shopping mall with supermarket only a 5 minute walk from here so Jim will be able to indulge his penchant for food shopping! Think Jean's a bit worried about that!
Only had about 4 hours sleep last night so we're both feeling a bit knackered. Jean's been having all the usual pre-op checks - B.P., ECG, and x-ray and is soon to see the surgeon, Dr. Vijay Bose. We'll let you know how that goes.
Chennai is 6.5 hours behind NZ and 1.5 hours behind Thailand. The staff are all very friendly and professional and all we've seen so far we've been happy with. Jean has been having the nurses in hysterics already so things are moving on. Language is actually a barrier which has surprised us but Mohan who we organised the whole thing with speaks good English and no doubt the surgeon will as well. All in all we are feeling comfortable with the whole situation here. Surgery on her left hip is scheduled for Monday.
The very little we've seen of Chennai so far is the usual contrasts one sees in India. The airport isn't new and a bit down at heel and when driving away there are the usual piles of litter and rubbish generally. An old wrecked car along with abandoned roof trusses were seen by the carpark exit. But there's a new overhead metro railway being built and apparently it is due for completion in just a couple of months although we'd believe that when it happens. So we can't say we've seen anything yet of Chennai, but of course that's not the priority right now.
More news in due course.
Love from us...........
Jim and Jean

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