Appointments

Well, I had my doctors visit yesterday. (Oops, I thought it was supposed to be Tues, but good thing I checked my appointment card before I journeyed up there!) The doctor was very nice, but I think his English was about at a first year level, maybe a little below. It was actually kind of funny, and I was doing all I could not to laugh. For example, when he wanted me to sit on the table, he abruptly said, "Here" and tapped on the table. Even I can say that in Spanish! hehe. Then when he wanted me to take deep breaths, he said, "look" and he took a couple himself. The majority of the physical was in Spanish to say the least. But it was certainly the easiest appointment I have ever had. The PC form is every long, and extremely detailed with all the things that are supposed to be checked out. Suffice it to say that even with the language probs, I was in and out of there in about 20 minutes and didn't even need to take off my shoes! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Today I went to the laboratory again with my self-made Spanish translations of the tests I need. Yep, for future reference, CBC is hemograma (Complete Blood Count), and G6PD is a really long name for some obscure enzyme deficiency that makes some people allergic to certain anti-malarial drugs. Geesh, glad those were the only two they couldn't figure out! I came complete with my urine sample (which leaked a bit in my bag on my PC forms, lol, they just don't make them the same as in the States!). Turns out that I have to come back to do all the tests in the morning. Well, you could have told me that the first time when I was there yesterday. I actually think they did tell me that, but I didn't catch that it had to be before 9:30am, and couldn't be at 10:45. Oh well. So much for the pee! There's plenty more where that came from. hehe

So then I was able to do one of the tests not available at the lab. Yep ladies, you know what I'm talking about. This doctor didn't know a word of English. Interesting... But I've got an appointment in 10 days to get the paperwork back! Then I was off to the hospital again to try to get my final vaccine. I'm due for a tetanus shot and they don't do that kind of stuff at the doctor's office. I went to the hospital yesterday only to find a line around the outside of the building at 4:50pm. Turns out the hospital doesn't open back up until 6pm, and people were already waiting in line!!! No thank you, I'll come back later. So today I navigated my way around the hospital to where the vaccines were. Yay for a socialist medical program, cause it was free! (I was going to the private everything else for quicker service and the availability of that "English" speaking doctor.) As the only one there, I just told her what I needed: lots of pointing at English descriptions on my old vaccination card. Then she took my name, led me into another room, and jabbed me with the injection. Easy as pie, which of course I had to reward myself with afterwards.

Well, I've got my dentist appointment in 10 min downstairs. I'll update this later with how that goes! I'm off to Mar Chiquita tonight, so I won't be back until late Fri (tomorrow). ttyl!!! I miss all ya'll!!! (lol, yay for living in the South for 6 months!)