My Operation Vacation; Bocas del Toro Gradually Returns to Normal After Weeks of Blockades; State Reform Underway.

Friday, July 4, 2025. My Operation Vacation A Note of Gratitude for Punta Pacifica Hospital This past week, I underwent a serious back operation to repair three degenerated and herniated discs in my lower lumbar region. It was a major surgery, one that had me mentally preparing for the worst. But from the moment I arrived, something unexpected happened: I felt cared for. Deeply cared for. What made the difference? The people. It’s obvious that the staff at Punta Pacifica Hospital aren’t just qualified, they actually like people. That alone sets the tone for healing. Friendliness goes a long way in an environment like this, and what I found was a team of individuals who treated me not just as a patient, but as a person. None of this would have even been possible without Mike Kelly, one of the hospital administrators and the key to getting everything aligned. He was the one who helped me get my paperwork in place with FMP, coordinated with Dr. Oviedo, and opened the door to this wonderful hospital. He was the first step on what is now a path toward a better, healthier life and I’m truly grateful. In the ICU, I was never left waiting or wondering. The crew was attentive, warm, and professional. When I moved to a standard room, I expected the care to drop off. It didn’t. It was as if the entire hospital had agreed that their mission was to make sure I felt supported at every step. There are so many people I’d like to thank individually. Nurse Maria, a quiet professional who I quickly realized was just deeply focused and loved her job; we became fast friends. James and Oscar were standouts. Gladys and Daisy, who checked my vitals regularly, I affectionately nicknamed Virgo and Aries after their zodiac signs. And my anesthesiologist, Melissa, what a legend. She had me knocked out smooth and steady until 1AM. The surgical team worked with precision, assisted by the ExcelsiusGPS robot (or as I called it, “GeePee”, because who remembers full names when you’re on meds?). That robotic guidance gave me peace of mind knowing I was in excellent hands, both human and high-tech pushing the boundaries of science fiction. From the physical therapy staff, to the cleaning crew, to the wheelchair “mafia” who always had a smile and a joke, to every visitor who came through my door: thank you. You didn’t just help me recover physically, you made me feel safe, respected, and even cheerful in a situation that could have been daunting. I’ve joked since that I’m “already planning my next operation,” as if this place were a vacation. But the truth is, if I ever had to go through something like this again, it would be here. Without a doubt. Thank you, Punta Pacifica Hospital. You’re more than a hospital, you’re a team of healers, and I’m truly grateful. Brett MikkelsonDirector, B.M. Investigations, Inc. TOP NEWS and TIDBITS: Bocas del Toro Gradually Returns to Normal After Weeks of Blockades After weeks of paralysis and roadblocks throughout the province, Bocas del Toro is beginning to gradually regain its daily routine with the resumption of public transportation and the return to school. Public transport on the Changuinola-David route resumed operations on Wednesday, July 2, bringing relief to residents who had spent over a month unable to move freely throughout the region. Some passengers expressed gratitude for finally being able to visit family after such a long time. Others noted that activity is picking up again, with both businesses and buses visibly returning to operation. However, drivers report low passenger turnout, meaning trips are only made when there is enough demand to make the journey profitable. “We’re working from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m., but that’s temporary for now,” one driver explained. Another significant step toward normalcy came in the education sector. After months of suspended classes, all schools in the province have resumed academic activities. From early in the morning, thousands of students returned to their classrooms. Education authorities implemented a strategy based on competency-focused learning guides for students at all levels, from preschool to twelfth grade. These guides were distributed to school principals and teachers to serve as a framework for the recovery of priority content. Despite this progress, plantain producers in Las Delicias — a border area of the province — have reported losses exceeding $250,000 due to the road closures. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE MEDUCA Confirms Replacement of Teachers Has Begun in Educational Centers The Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) announced that it has begun the process of replacing teachers due to the nationwide teachers’ strike, which has lasted for over two months. Minister Lucy Molinar stated that the new educators are already teaching in various schools across the country. “There are no closed schools anywhere in the country. There has been a process of raising awareness and understanding, and we are now focused on the tools needed to recover knowledge. Learning is the most important thing,” the minister emphasized. On Wednesday, July 2, during an interview on the ECO TV program Radiografía, Minister Lucy Molinar explained that the teacher replacement process is being carried out gradually, in order to avoid disruptions to students’ learning continuity. READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE Search Continues for Sandra Denham, Missing for 15 Days in Boquete The Specialized Unit for Missing Persons of the Public Ministry, in coordination with investigative agencies and organizations dedicated to search and rescue efforts, continues intensive operations to locate Sandra Denham, a 74-year-old woman reported missing 15 days ago in the district of Boquete. Efforts are focused around Mrs. Denham’s residence, using specialized techniques to detect any clues that may help determine her whereabouts. The methods employed include drone surveillance, a specially trained search dog from the special units, and ground search teams. “We’re using two drones and a special unit dog. Additionally, we have four search teams deployed in points of interest near Mrs. Sandra’s home. Today, we have around 70 people from various participating institutions on the ground, using mapping