I received partial results from the Bronchoscopy today and they have
ruled out TB and any fungal problems. This means that I am no longer on
isolation status and can have my room door open. This makes me happy
because with the door closed, I was getting very chilly. They are still
waiting for results of the tissues they got from the biopsy-in this they
will look for malignant cells. They are also growing some cultures from
the procedure screen for problems that may be associated with other
infections.
Tomorrow I will have an Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. During
this procedure they will look for obstructions of the common bile ducts,
check out the gall bladder, the liver, and do some biopsies of the
pancreas. They will be looking for the specific causes of the jaundice
as well as the causes for the enlargement of the liver and pancreas, It
looks like a couple more days of waiting and resting at the Hotel
Vanderbilt.
On another positive note, the medicine they are giving me for the
jaundice does seem to be working. I have also had several opportunities
to share with the docs and the staff how I am just trusting God
throughout this whole process, and how many people are praying for them
as they work to uncover a specific diagnosis.
To that end, I ask you to continue to pray for wisdom for the
medical teams, ask the Lord to guide and direct their hands, eyes and
minds as they perform the various procedures and to give them the
analytical skill needed as they study the various cultures and tissues
in search of diagnosis. Last, but not least, that His will, not mine be
done, and in this process I can continue to model a Romans 8:28 attitude
and that all honor and glory be given to God.
Well, that is it for now, and as I get more information, I will send
out some more updates. As always, I thank you for your love, support,
and most of all your prayers. Until the next time...
--
Romans 8:28
Friday, April 20, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Still Waitng and Resting at the Hotel Vanderbilt: Medical Update
Before I begin the update, I want to retract a recent prayer request and refocus all prayer requests to be centered on God's will in this matter. The other day I had asked to pray that my problem was tuberculosis. Well, I am sorry I asked you to do that as it was not biblical, and actually a rather selfish request.
First, in addressing the selfishness, it is human nature to want the best and easiest solution for ourselves. But, the problem is this, I was asking for a disease for myself, that would be the answer to my problems, and be the easiest to receive treatment for. In my rashness, I failed to consider the consequences for others. I would have been essentially asking for literally hundreds of others to be exposed to TB by having coming into contact with them. That means my church family, on a small scale so far, but on an even larger scale, my students and friends back in China, and all of the people they would come into contact with. If tested positive for TB, then all would run the risk of contracting the disease as well. Seeing how the exposure to my family and church family has been rather small, contacting them would not be much of a problem. But the exposure to my students and friends in China would be, as stated earlier, be literally hundreds of people, and there would be a great difficulty reaching all those whom I had come into contact with, and that would bring great possibilities that many would be infected and not even be aware of the fact. I would not want even just one to be infected with TB just so I could have a greater chance of being healed.
Second, as for being biblical, we see in Matthew 6:10 that Jesus teaches us to pray this way:
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.(NASB). Jesus models this prayer again on the Mount of Olives ( Luke 22:42: 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”) when He clearly knew the fate that he would soon be suffering. His prayer that the cup be removed was more a way of asking for another way to accomplish the same purpose that would involve less suffering for Him, and would not inflict suffering on anyone else. ( That is just my take on that.). However, He quickly stated that the will of the Father be done in order to accomplish His Father's will. In other words, Christ is saying Father, I don't really look forward to this horrible death set before me, but if it is to accomplish your will, I am ready willing and able. In praying this way we see in verse 43 that the Father prepares and strengthens Him for the task ahead: 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. I know God will also do this for me as well!
So, dear friends and family, please revert back to praying this way for me: That not my will ( or desire) be done, but His will. Thank you so much for you love support and prayers.
Now for the update: It has been decided that the first step toward a definitive diagnosis will be what is called a Bronchoscopy, a procedure where they will insert a tube into my lung by way of the nostril. What they will do is spray a solution into the airways, and then use a suction device to retrieve the solution, which will bring some of the small particles back into the tube. They will then culture the particles in hopes of making a diagnosis. At the same time, they will also use this procedure to collect some lung tissue via biopsies. Together with the cultures, they will then attempt to make a diagnosis, at least to what they are seeing in my lungs.
This procedure will take place today, April 18 in the late afternoon. Please pray for the God to direct the hands of the operating team and to sharpen their wisdom and skill. The cultures will probably take about two days to yield an analysis.
Then, probably on Friday, they will do GI scope for the purpose of trying to collect some tissue samples of the pancreas and have a look see in the abdominal area. As, I find out more about the results and diagnosis, I will be sure to keep you informed.
As always, thanks for reading. I also especially thank you for your love, support, and most of all your prayers. May you experience the full nature of God's blessings that He has prepared for you today! Until the next time...
First, in addressing the selfishness, it is human nature to want the best and easiest solution for ourselves. But, the problem is this, I was asking for a disease for myself, that would be the answer to my problems, and be the easiest to receive treatment for. In my rashness, I failed to consider the consequences for others. I would have been essentially asking for literally hundreds of others to be exposed to TB by having coming into contact with them. That means my church family, on a small scale so far, but on an even larger scale, my students and friends back in China, and all of the people they would come into contact with. If tested positive for TB, then all would run the risk of contracting the disease as well. Seeing how the exposure to my family and church family has been rather small, contacting them would not be much of a problem. But the exposure to my students and friends in China would be, as stated earlier, be literally hundreds of people, and there would be a great difficulty reaching all those whom I had come into contact with, and that would bring great possibilities that many would be infected and not even be aware of the fact. I would not want even just one to be infected with TB just so I could have a greater chance of being healed.
Second, as for being biblical, we see in Matthew 6:10 that Jesus teaches us to pray this way:
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.(NASB). Jesus models this prayer again on the Mount of Olives ( Luke 22:42: 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”) when He clearly knew the fate that he would soon be suffering. His prayer that the cup be removed was more a way of asking for another way to accomplish the same purpose that would involve less suffering for Him, and would not inflict suffering on anyone else. ( That is just my take on that.). However, He quickly stated that the will of the Father be done in order to accomplish His Father's will. In other words, Christ is saying Father, I don't really look forward to this horrible death set before me, but if it is to accomplish your will, I am ready willing and able. In praying this way we see in verse 43 that the Father prepares and strengthens Him for the task ahead: 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. I know God will also do this for me as well!
So, dear friends and family, please revert back to praying this way for me: That not my will ( or desire) be done, but His will. Thank you so much for you love support and prayers.
Now for the update: It has been decided that the first step toward a definitive diagnosis will be what is called a Bronchoscopy, a procedure where they will insert a tube into my lung by way of the nostril. What they will do is spray a solution into the airways, and then use a suction device to retrieve the solution, which will bring some of the small particles back into the tube. They will then culture the particles in hopes of making a diagnosis. At the same time, they will also use this procedure to collect some lung tissue via biopsies. Together with the cultures, they will then attempt to make a diagnosis, at least to what they are seeing in my lungs.
This procedure will take place today, April 18 in the late afternoon. Please pray for the God to direct the hands of the operating team and to sharpen their wisdom and skill. The cultures will probably take about two days to yield an analysis.
Then, probably on Friday, they will do GI scope for the purpose of trying to collect some tissue samples of the pancreas and have a look see in the abdominal area. As, I find out more about the results and diagnosis, I will be sure to keep you informed.
As always, thanks for reading. I also especially thank you for your love, support, and most of all your prayers. May you experience the full nature of God's blessings that He has prepared for you today! Until the next time...
Monday, April 16, 2012
Goodbyes, Planes, Hugs, and ER Rooms: God is Good...
On Thursday evening, I attended our English Corner/ Bible Study. Although, the Luke had prepared a lesson for that evening, they asked me if I wanted to and give a message seeing how I might be gone for awhile. I did not really have anything prepared, and was really tired, but if you know me, I don't turn down opportunities to talk. God provided wonderfully here by giving me this passage to share 2 Corinthians 4:16-18;5:1-10
I began by giving them some testimony about my coming to salvation, and as I shared with my students the night before, there are two outcomes to this to this upcoming battle. Both of which are a win-win
I explained how that if I won the physical fight with cancer, then I get to stay here on this earth for a while longer, but if I lose the physical fight with cancer, I get to go home! I explained how that for one who is a believer, that this place on earth is not our home-that heaven is the true home of the believer. I had referenced the scripture before starting, but we had not yet read the scripture. As I finished sharing, I told them that this was not just something I had made up to comfort myself, but that I believed it because God had stated it through Paul in the Bible. And, that even though none of us had never seen heaven, or God for that matter, we can still believe both God and heaven were real because scripture tells so.: 2Cor.5:7-8. I also told them that the bible tells us this in many other passages. We then turned to the scriptures and they all took turns reading a verse. I was then able to reiterate that this was available for anyone who would believe in Jesus as God's Son, and trusting Him to forgive them of their sins, reinforcing the strong gospel presentation given by Elaine as we headed into the Easter weekend. So, pray for those who are coming and as of yet do not believe, that these, and future messages will continue to draw them to God. I must say that it was my pleasure and honor to serve God alongside of Matthijis, and Luke & Elaine. I believe that under their guidance, God will use them and this study to bring honor and glory to His name.
On Friday, a group of my students came to say goodbye and help deliver my luggage downstairs and we were able to have a group picture together. How I wish I would have thought to have a group picture like this with the other class.
I just flew in from China and boy are my arms tired (said while duck walking). Ha ha, not my arms, but my whole body. I woke up Saturday morning with a bad case of the runs. Funny thing is that while packing, I looked at the Imodium ( medicine), and thought, "Nah, I don't need that."
Famous last words. Unfortunately, I could have sorely used that Imodium. On the first leg of the flight, the crew was able to help me out, but the last 2 legs, Shanghai-to-Atlanta (2hr layover), and then Atlanta-to-Nashville, I was on my own. Even though I was given special assistance along the way by being in a wheel chair, I had just bought some in Atlanta when they called for me to board the flight to Nashville. I decided then not to take them as I would soon be in Vanderbilt Hospital and figure the less medicine I took on my own, the better off I would be for them to treat me.
I only tell that story to emphasize how miserable I was coming home, that coupled with almost total exhaustion made for a long miserable 21 hour trip home. Even so, all that misery was wiped away in an instant. As I was being wheeled out of terminal heading towards the baggage claim, I caught a glimpse of some familiar faces. The young man pushing me asked if there would be someone coming to pick me up. I said "Oh yeah" and pointed to my sisters and a group of about 30 of my church family members. At first, he did not realize there were so many until we got a little closer. I told him how blessed I felt. My spirit was greatly uplifted. We all had a hug-fest right there at the terminal exit. After retrieving my luggage, we waited until my sister got her car and came to exit level we were on, had another hug-fest, and I said my goodbyes and headed off to Vanderbilt Emergency room. After getting turned around a bit we arrived around 7:30 p.m.
I could not have asked for a nicer group of folks to admit and care for me as they evaluated my situation. From the intake people-to the ER doc and her residents, everyone was kind, caring and very thorough in their work. Because Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital, I would be asked many of the same questions by the ER doc, and her residents (they each saw me separately), but they were very nice and apologetic, and I realized that they were in the learning process and on their way to being future great doctors. Ha ha, the shot of morphine and Zofran they gave me mellowed me out to the point I probably would have not cared if a 100 people interviewed me during the course of evaluation.
I had another ultra sound and CAT Scan performed, and what seemed like a quart of blood drawn. After that my sister's Jane, Molly, and I waited in our examining room as the staff processed and analyzed the results. They were trying to determine exactly which medical team I would be handed over to for future treatment. Poor Jane was so tired, that after the CAT Scan, the nurse opened the door and there she was laying my bed! Bless her heart!
Finally, around 1:30 a.m. or so, I was admitted and taken to my room. By the time we got settled, I believe it was nearly 2:30 a.m. Jane and Molly stayed until I was completely settled and they had long drive home.
The next day (Sunday April 15th-which is today for me) my medical team came in to interview me. They were still waiting for some results and decided that nothing would be happening until at least Monday. Once they received the results, they would determine a course of action. The first is in addressing my jaundice and trying to identify the exact source of the jaundice. The lead doctor has the opinion that the gall stones and gall bladder are not the major issue. For now, I am receiving some general antibiotics.
However, I did have a major pain inducing episode from the gall bladder area this morning. Although, they were a bit slow in getting me the pain med, they finally did in the form of a Lori tab, Tennessee's ( and probably the US's most abused prescription drug. At first it made me groggy, and finally it made its way into my system and the pain subsided. There was some confusion about the availability of a pain med for me, but as it turns out, they do have pain meds listed in my chart as "prn" every four hours( you nurses out there, feel free to correct me if I got the term wrong, he he) which means roughly that a pain med is available every four hours as needed. Hopefully, I won't need them and I will not request them unless necessary. In China, I became quite familiar with the beginning signs of these gall bladder attacks, and have told the nurses that I would only ask for them as I recognized the beginning stages.
The second step they are trying to determine is where, and what kind of biopsies they want to perform to gain the needed suspected tissues for examination to determine the exact nature of their malignancy, or benignity. We are all pretty sure that there is some malignancy because of the scans and some of the early returns of the blood work. I am thinking, from the conversations, that they will set these biopsies tomorrow at the earliest, or Tuesday at the latest. Then we can get on with the treatment.
The good news in all of this is that today I've felt much better than I have in weeks. They are giving me meds to relieve the itchy skin, which also makes me a bit groggy. But, that has allowed me to rest more than I've been able to for quite some time.I have also been able to share a little bit with various members of the staff, including Dr. Jirjis, the head of my medical team about my work and purpose for being in China for the last five years.
So, as I close, I ask you to pray for wisdom and guidance for the medical team. Ask God to be honing their skills even now before they do the first procedure. Pray the same for my nursing staff as they go about their duties of caring for me during my stay. Pray for my sisters, my family, and members of my church family, as they make the journeys back and forth form Shelbyville-to-Nashville-and back again as they come to support and help with my needs. Pray for their safe journeys, and give God some praise for the love and caring of me. Praise God for His provision for me. Please continue to pray for the study group back in China, that through that group, God will be honored and glorified, with new believers coming into the family, and present believers being strengthened and spiritually fed by the teaching. And pray for me, that I can maintain that Romans 8:28 attitude as all of this unfolds. As always, I thank you for reading, and hope that you will find some blessings here. God is always looking for, and does bless us. Let us look for those blessings and give Him the honor and glory He deserves. Until the next time...
P.S. I did do a spell check and briefly proofed it but I wrote this pretty late, so do forgive my usual poor grammar and punctuation. Thanks.
 |
| Thursday English Corner/ Bible Study |
I began by giving them some testimony about my coming to salvation, and as I shared with my students the night before, there are two outcomes to this to this upcoming battle. Both of which are a win-win
I explained how that if I won the physical fight with cancer, then I get to stay here on this earth for a while longer, but if I lose the physical fight with cancer, I get to go home! I explained how that for one who is a believer, that this place on earth is not our home-that heaven is the true home of the believer. I had referenced the scripture before starting, but we had not yet read the scripture. As I finished sharing, I told them that this was not just something I had made up to comfort myself, but that I believed it because God had stated it through Paul in the Bible. And, that even though none of us had never seen heaven, or God for that matter, we can still believe both God and heaven were real because scripture tells so.: 2Cor.5:7-8. I also told them that the bible tells us this in many other passages. We then turned to the scriptures and they all took turns reading a verse. I was then able to reiterate that this was available for anyone who would believe in Jesus as God's Son, and trusting Him to forgive them of their sins, reinforcing the strong gospel presentation given by Elaine as we headed into the Easter weekend. So, pray for those who are coming and as of yet do not believe, that these, and future messages will continue to draw them to God. I must say that it was my pleasure and honor to serve God alongside of Matthijis, and Luke & Elaine. I believe that under their guidance, God will use them and this study to bring honor and glory to His name.
On Friday, a group of my students came to say goodbye and help deliver my luggage downstairs and we were able to have a group picture together. How I wish I would have thought to have a group picture like this with the other class.
 |
| Crazy Goodbyes! |
I just flew in from China and boy are my arms tired (said while duck walking). Ha ha, not my arms, but my whole body. I woke up Saturday morning with a bad case of the runs. Funny thing is that while packing, I looked at the Imodium ( medicine), and thought, "Nah, I don't need that."
Famous last words. Unfortunately, I could have sorely used that Imodium. On the first leg of the flight, the crew was able to help me out, but the last 2 legs, Shanghai-to-Atlanta (2hr layover), and then Atlanta-to-Nashville, I was on my own. Even though I was given special assistance along the way by being in a wheel chair, I had just bought some in Atlanta when they called for me to board the flight to Nashville. I decided then not to take them as I would soon be in Vanderbilt Hospital and figure the less medicine I took on my own, the better off I would be for them to treat me.
I only tell that story to emphasize how miserable I was coming home, that coupled with almost total exhaustion made for a long miserable 21 hour trip home. Even so, all that misery was wiped away in an instant. As I was being wheeled out of terminal heading towards the baggage claim, I caught a glimpse of some familiar faces. The young man pushing me asked if there would be someone coming to pick me up. I said "Oh yeah" and pointed to my sisters and a group of about 30 of my church family members. At first, he did not realize there were so many until we got a little closer. I told him how blessed I felt. My spirit was greatly uplifted. We all had a hug-fest right there at the terminal exit. After retrieving my luggage, we waited until my sister got her car and came to exit level we were on, had another hug-fest, and I said my goodbyes and headed off to Vanderbilt Emergency room. After getting turned around a bit we arrived around 7:30 p.m.
I could not have asked for a nicer group of folks to admit and care for me as they evaluated my situation. From the intake people-to the ER doc and her residents, everyone was kind, caring and very thorough in their work. Because Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital, I would be asked many of the same questions by the ER doc, and her residents (they each saw me separately), but they were very nice and apologetic, and I realized that they were in the learning process and on their way to being future great doctors. Ha ha, the shot of morphine and Zofran they gave me mellowed me out to the point I probably would have not cared if a 100 people interviewed me during the course of evaluation.
I had another ultra sound and CAT Scan performed, and what seemed like a quart of blood drawn. After that my sister's Jane, Molly, and I waited in our examining room as the staff processed and analyzed the results. They were trying to determine exactly which medical team I would be handed over to for future treatment. Poor Jane was so tired, that after the CAT Scan, the nurse opened the door and there she was laying my bed! Bless her heart!
Finally, around 1:30 a.m. or so, I was admitted and taken to my room. By the time we got settled, I believe it was nearly 2:30 a.m. Jane and Molly stayed until I was completely settled and they had long drive home.
The next day (Sunday April 15th-which is today for me) my medical team came in to interview me. They were still waiting for some results and decided that nothing would be happening until at least Monday. Once they received the results, they would determine a course of action. The first is in addressing my jaundice and trying to identify the exact source of the jaundice. The lead doctor has the opinion that the gall stones and gall bladder are not the major issue. For now, I am receiving some general antibiotics.
However, I did have a major pain inducing episode from the gall bladder area this morning. Although, they were a bit slow in getting me the pain med, they finally did in the form of a Lori tab, Tennessee's ( and probably the US's most abused prescription drug. At first it made me groggy, and finally it made its way into my system and the pain subsided. There was some confusion about the availability of a pain med for me, but as it turns out, they do have pain meds listed in my chart as "prn" every four hours( you nurses out there, feel free to correct me if I got the term wrong, he he) which means roughly that a pain med is available every four hours as needed. Hopefully, I won't need them and I will not request them unless necessary. In China, I became quite familiar with the beginning signs of these gall bladder attacks, and have told the nurses that I would only ask for them as I recognized the beginning stages.
The second step they are trying to determine is where, and what kind of biopsies they want to perform to gain the needed suspected tissues for examination to determine the exact nature of their malignancy, or benignity. We are all pretty sure that there is some malignancy because of the scans and some of the early returns of the blood work. I am thinking, from the conversations, that they will set these biopsies tomorrow at the earliest, or Tuesday at the latest. Then we can get on with the treatment.
The good news in all of this is that today I've felt much better than I have in weeks. They are giving me meds to relieve the itchy skin, which also makes me a bit groggy. But, that has allowed me to rest more than I've been able to for quite some time.I have also been able to share a little bit with various members of the staff, including Dr. Jirjis, the head of my medical team about my work and purpose for being in China for the last five years.
So, as I close, I ask you to pray for wisdom and guidance for the medical team. Ask God to be honing their skills even now before they do the first procedure. Pray the same for my nursing staff as they go about their duties of caring for me during my stay. Pray for my sisters, my family, and members of my church family, as they make the journeys back and forth form Shelbyville-to-Nashville-and back again as they come to support and help with my needs. Pray for their safe journeys, and give God some praise for the love and caring of me. Praise God for His provision for me. Please continue to pray for the study group back in China, that through that group, God will be honored and glorified, with new believers coming into the family, and present believers being strengthened and spiritually fed by the teaching. And pray for me, that I can maintain that Romans 8:28 attitude as all of this unfolds. As always, I thank you for reading, and hope that you will find some blessings here. God is always looking for, and does bless us. Let us look for those blessings and give Him the honor and glory He deserves. Until the next time...
P.S. I did do a spell check and briefly proofed it but I wrote this pretty late, so do forgive my usual poor grammar and punctuation. Thanks.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Medical Update: The Rose Garden Has Some Weeds That Need Pulling
Ok, I have had my interpretation, and it is not the rosiest picture ever
painted but, God is control and I will trust in Him. I saw Dr. Sheng
last night, and as suspected, they believe that they are seeing some
cancer but, they are not sure what type of cancer it is. I told him
about my itchy skin, heartburn, and the discomfort I've been having in
my upper abdomen area. Also, I told him Pamfort had told me at church
that my eyes looked jaundiced.
So, he took me to an examining room and after a few pokes and a look at my eyes, combined with what he saw in the scan, he thinks there is also a problem with my liver. He asked me to come back this morning for some blood tests. They are going to do some various cancer screens, one for the recurrence of my previous cancer, and to look for another type of cancer ( don't know what type). In addition they are doing some bile test for the liver. He says, that depending on that test, he may want to admit me to the hospital for treatment-antibiotics. I suppose there is some sort of infection that is causing swelling. He tells me that ther is an outside obstruction of the common bile duct, and that needs to be treated to keep from getting worse. He has also suggest that I return home as soon as possible and has written as such in my medical records. I will return to the hospital shortly to get the results of the blood tests. I do suspect that he will want to admit me for the liver problem
Dr. Sheng has been a blessing from God, in that He has been able to communicate with me in English. Not only that, he seems to genuinely care about his patients. Last night, he met me in his office to read the PET Scan report, and today when I arrived, He was looking at a copy of the previous CT report, and that is where he noticed the outer obstruction and, along with my symptoms decided to do the additional liver test. He walked me to the registration window and gave the clerk the order slip. Ha ha, he even paid for the test (600rmb =$94 USD) because I did not bring enough money. Of course I will pay him back this afternoon. But, he did not hesitate to pull out his wallet and pay. He then walked me right to the where the lab techs write their reports and one of them immediately took me to another office and drew my blood.
As we were walking out, he told me that this must be a difficult time. I told him yes it is, but that I believe in God, and trust Him no matter what happens as He has a purpose for everything. I also told him how that we believe that it was God who had put him in my path to help me and that his help has been a blessing to me.
The rose garden has some weeds that need pulling. But, the picture is coming to a clearer focus. After I get the results of the blood test, hopefully, we can know the specific type of cancer. From there, I have some decisions to make. They mostly concern as to where I should return to in the U.S. My first inclination is to Tennessee, where my home and church family has been for the last 12 years. Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital that has many good cancer specialist. Another option involves two places in Virgina. One is in my boyhood hometown of Norfolk, (actually, I would stay with my sister in Chesapeake) and go to the hospitals there where I battled cancer the first time. The other is that my brother has suggested that I could come to Charlottesville where he and his wife Judy live. They are near the UVA hospital.
However, I think my biggest challenge is insurance. I don't have any in the U.S. I have talked to my sister Pat and she has told me that I can go online and start filling out the paper work for Social Security disability. So, I will begin to do that in the next day or so. I will keep you posted as regularly as possible.
I love and miss you all so much. Your words of encouragement and prayer have helped me feel less lonely in this difficult time. As I close, the words to a song that our youth band One Way sings comes to mind: Mighty Mighty Mighty, Mighty is our God. Holy Holy Holy, Holy is our God. Let us remember that as we pray for each other. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
So, he took me to an examining room and after a few pokes and a look at my eyes, combined with what he saw in the scan, he thinks there is also a problem with my liver. He asked me to come back this morning for some blood tests. They are going to do some various cancer screens, one for the recurrence of my previous cancer, and to look for another type of cancer ( don't know what type). In addition they are doing some bile test for the liver. He says, that depending on that test, he may want to admit me to the hospital for treatment-antibiotics. I suppose there is some sort of infection that is causing swelling. He tells me that ther is an outside obstruction of the common bile duct, and that needs to be treated to keep from getting worse. He has also suggest that I return home as soon as possible and has written as such in my medical records. I will return to the hospital shortly to get the results of the blood tests. I do suspect that he will want to admit me for the liver problem
Dr. Sheng has been a blessing from God, in that He has been able to communicate with me in English. Not only that, he seems to genuinely care about his patients. Last night, he met me in his office to read the PET Scan report, and today when I arrived, He was looking at a copy of the previous CT report, and that is where he noticed the outer obstruction and, along with my symptoms decided to do the additional liver test. He walked me to the registration window and gave the clerk the order slip. Ha ha, he even paid for the test (600rmb =$94 USD) because I did not bring enough money. Of course I will pay him back this afternoon. But, he did not hesitate to pull out his wallet and pay. He then walked me right to the where the lab techs write their reports and one of them immediately took me to another office and drew my blood.
As we were walking out, he told me that this must be a difficult time. I told him yes it is, but that I believe in God, and trust Him no matter what happens as He has a purpose for everything. I also told him how that we believe that it was God who had put him in my path to help me and that his help has been a blessing to me.
The rose garden has some weeds that need pulling. But, the picture is coming to a clearer focus. After I get the results of the blood test, hopefully, we can know the specific type of cancer. From there, I have some decisions to make. They mostly concern as to where I should return to in the U.S. My first inclination is to Tennessee, where my home and church family has been for the last 12 years. Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital that has many good cancer specialist. Another option involves two places in Virgina. One is in my boyhood hometown of Norfolk, (actually, I would stay with my sister in Chesapeake) and go to the hospitals there where I battled cancer the first time. The other is that my brother has suggested that I could come to Charlottesville where he and his wife Judy live. They are near the UVA hospital.
However, I think my biggest challenge is insurance. I don't have any in the U.S. I have talked to my sister Pat and she has told me that I can go online and start filling out the paper work for Social Security disability. So, I will begin to do that in the next day or so. I will keep you posted as regularly as possible.
I love and miss you all so much. Your words of encouragement and prayer have helped me feel less lonely in this difficult time. As I close, the words to a song that our youth band One Way sings comes to mind: Mighty Mighty Mighty, Mighty is our God. Holy Holy Holy, Holy is our God. Let us remember that as we pray for each other. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Medical Update: PET Scan Complete, Still Waiting for Interpretation
It was a long day in Shanghai. Got there around 11 after the two hour
drive. The check in process was smooth. Then I had to drink 4-5 300ml
cups of water.
The test only took 10 minutes. It was a PET/CT scan combination. I paid
extra for an English Translation, but at first they told me it would be
Monday, but said the Chinese result/translation would be available at 6
p.m. Then they said the English translation would also be ready at 6.
So, we went and had dinner and came back. But the English translation
was not ready and won't be ready until Monday. The Chinese translation
was too technical for Mr. Yang to interpret, and there were no
doctors there.
So, at church today, I saw Pamfort, the Chinese doctor who comes to the Thursday bible study. I don't know why, but I was not expecting to see him there. He told me my eyes looked jaundiced, and then he called Dr. Sheng and found out he will be working tonight. I have made arrangements to go see him with my report. Dr.Sheng is the cardiac doctor. He is working Sunday night! He told me it would be his pleasure to see me. God is so good.
So, tonight I will go see Dr. Sheng and hopefully, he can let me know. I assume there is a diagnosis in the report summary. As always, your prayers are coveted. I have been beset by various maladies from itchy skin to heartburn that has prevented me from getting a good nights rest. So, I am rather worn down, exhausted would be more precise. I have washed all my bed coverings to day in case there were bed bugs, but even when I stayed in the Hotel in Zhenjiang on Friday evening, the itchy skin was terrible, and I did not pack my antacid. Last night was better, but I need a good uninterrupted rest. Pleas pray that for me. Thank you again for support, your love, and your prayers.
Just a short note about church today. No one was available to come, but I went anyway. I am glad I did. The Chinese Church generally has baptisms twice a year for new members, and Easter Sunday is one of those times. I lost count, but there were about 30 new members admitted today. Then for the Lord's supper, the side I was sitting on did not receive any of the bread and when the Pastor asked if there were any who had not received the bread, all of our hands went up. She looked a little worried, but then collected some of the plates to distribute. I watched as some to there bread and broke in two to share with others. Ha ha, after we all received some, she held up the plate and there was bread to spare. The spirit of Jesus must have been breaking that bread!
So, as many of you all awaken to see this message, I pray that you will give thanks to God and have the opportunity to honor Him with your presence in His house today.
Until the next time...He is Risen!
So, at church today, I saw Pamfort, the Chinese doctor who comes to the Thursday bible study. I don't know why, but I was not expecting to see him there. He told me my eyes looked jaundiced, and then he called Dr. Sheng and found out he will be working tonight. I have made arrangements to go see him with my report. Dr.Sheng is the cardiac doctor. He is working Sunday night! He told me it would be his pleasure to see me. God is so good.
So, tonight I will go see Dr. Sheng and hopefully, he can let me know. I assume there is a diagnosis in the report summary. As always, your prayers are coveted. I have been beset by various maladies from itchy skin to heartburn that has prevented me from getting a good nights rest. So, I am rather worn down, exhausted would be more precise. I have washed all my bed coverings to day in case there were bed bugs, but even when I stayed in the Hotel in Zhenjiang on Friday evening, the itchy skin was terrible, and I did not pack my antacid. Last night was better, but I need a good uninterrupted rest. Pleas pray that for me. Thank you again for support, your love, and your prayers.
Just a short note about church today. No one was available to come, but I went anyway. I am glad I did. The Chinese Church generally has baptisms twice a year for new members, and Easter Sunday is one of those times. I lost count, but there were about 30 new members admitted today. Then for the Lord's supper, the side I was sitting on did not receive any of the bread and when the Pastor asked if there were any who had not received the bread, all of our hands went up. She looked a little worried, but then collected some of the plates to distribute. I watched as some to there bread and broke in two to share with others. Ha ha, after we all received some, she held up the plate and there was bread to spare. The spirit of Jesus must have been breaking that bread!
So, as many of you all awaken to see this message, I pray that you will give thanks to God and have the opportunity to honor Him with your presence in His house today.
Until the next time...He is Risen!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Medical Update: PET Scan Schedule; Insurance Companies Are...
Ok, this weekend I went to Zhenjiang on Sunday evening to arrange for my PET Scan and to take my receipts to begin the reimbursement process. I met with Mr. Yang on Sunday evening and gave him the names of the of the two hospitals and my receipts. He told me he would let me know on Monday what he found out. We were hoping that by some chance the hospital in Zhenjiang had the equipment. No go!
So, he came to meet me and let me know that the PET Scan was scheduled for Thursday in Shanghai. I told him that I had a class Thursday afternoon. Wednesday would be no good either as it was still the holiday. However, I have no classes on Friday so he called the hospital and they agreed to change my appointment to Friday at 12: noon. I will be interested in seeing if that schedule holds, as the hospitals here take a break from around 11:30 a.m until 1:15 p.m. Anyway, he will call the school tomorrow and ask them to arrange a car to take me to Shanghai. He will leave Zhenjiang by train and meet me in Shanghai at the hospital and serve as my interpreter.
Insurance: The insurance will not pay for the PET Scan, (don't know why) and will probably only pay 50% of the CT Scan. Mr. Yang says that is normal, even for Chinese. On the plus side, he was told the scan will be 7000rmb instead of 9500rmb like I'd heard. Even so, that pretty well takes care of a month's salary. But, God is good, I have some extra rmb set aside.
I had previously had a discussion with my friend Tuo about how insurance worked in the U.S. I told him how we generally have a co-pay of 15% and that was on most everything, like Dr.'s visits, medical tests, and hospital stays. And, once we reached a certain out of pocket limit, the insurance company would pay for the rest. He told me that his insurance is a bit different in that at the beginning of each year, he has a a certain amount of funds that is available to pay for medical needs, but once that limit is reached, then he has to pay out of his pocket a certain amount, and then the insurance would kick back in. It was kind of confusing but, then what do you expect from insurance companies. Seems nothing is ever simple.
As far as treatments go, Mr. Yang believes they would cover the surgery removing the gall bladder, but if there is something more seriously wrong, the insurance company will probably not provide any coverage. So, the story continues.
I am hoping that the PET Scan will provide some definitive answers one way or the other. I know something is not right, whether it is the gall bladder problems or something else, I have lost weight much more quickly than was planned for. I am down to 86kgs (189lbs). I had been targeting 176-180 lbs, but the date was to be in June, not April. In addition to the weight loss, I seem to be constantly drained of energy. Even if I get a decent nights sleep, within a few hours of being awake, I am pretty tired, and that is just not normal for me. So, I ask for prayer that this test will give a diagnosis and then that I could plan accordingly.
To end on a high note, the Thursday night study has been very well attended, and this Thursday we will studying and discussing the days leading up to our Savior's crucifixion and rising from the grave, conquering death once and for all! Please pray that this study will create some life changing events-for all of us, believers, and especially the non believers. Romans 1:16 tells us: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. and verses 17 tell us that 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” So, be in prayer that the salvation will come to those who don't believe, and that those who do believe will be renewed to Live by Faith!
I want to end by thanking and praising God for His loving kindness and for putting people like Dr.Sheng and Dr. Pamfort in my path. I also thank Him for you who have been supporting me and praying for me as I serve in China. He will never leave us nor forsake us! Hebrews 13:15. So, as always, thanks for your support, love, and prayers. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
So, he came to meet me and let me know that the PET Scan was scheduled for Thursday in Shanghai. I told him that I had a class Thursday afternoon. Wednesday would be no good either as it was still the holiday. However, I have no classes on Friday so he called the hospital and they agreed to change my appointment to Friday at 12: noon. I will be interested in seeing if that schedule holds, as the hospitals here take a break from around 11:30 a.m until 1:15 p.m. Anyway, he will call the school tomorrow and ask them to arrange a car to take me to Shanghai. He will leave Zhenjiang by train and meet me in Shanghai at the hospital and serve as my interpreter.
Insurance: The insurance will not pay for the PET Scan, (don't know why) and will probably only pay 50% of the CT Scan. Mr. Yang says that is normal, even for Chinese. On the plus side, he was told the scan will be 7000rmb instead of 9500rmb like I'd heard. Even so, that pretty well takes care of a month's salary. But, God is good, I have some extra rmb set aside.
I had previously had a discussion with my friend Tuo about how insurance worked in the U.S. I told him how we generally have a co-pay of 15% and that was on most everything, like Dr.'s visits, medical tests, and hospital stays. And, once we reached a certain out of pocket limit, the insurance company would pay for the rest. He told me that his insurance is a bit different in that at the beginning of each year, he has a a certain amount of funds that is available to pay for medical needs, but once that limit is reached, then he has to pay out of his pocket a certain amount, and then the insurance would kick back in. It was kind of confusing but, then what do you expect from insurance companies. Seems nothing is ever simple.
As far as treatments go, Mr. Yang believes they would cover the surgery removing the gall bladder, but if there is something more seriously wrong, the insurance company will probably not provide any coverage. So, the story continues.
I am hoping that the PET Scan will provide some definitive answers one way or the other. I know something is not right, whether it is the gall bladder problems or something else, I have lost weight much more quickly than was planned for. I am down to 86kgs (189lbs). I had been targeting 176-180 lbs, but the date was to be in June, not April. In addition to the weight loss, I seem to be constantly drained of energy. Even if I get a decent nights sleep, within a few hours of being awake, I am pretty tired, and that is just not normal for me. So, I ask for prayer that this test will give a diagnosis and then that I could plan accordingly.
To end on a high note, the Thursday night study has been very well attended, and this Thursday we will studying and discussing the days leading up to our Savior's crucifixion and rising from the grave, conquering death once and for all! Please pray that this study will create some life changing events-for all of us, believers, and especially the non believers. Romans 1:16 tells us: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. and verses 17 tell us that 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” So, be in prayer that the salvation will come to those who don't believe, and that those who do believe will be renewed to Live by Faith!
I want to end by thanking and praising God for His loving kindness and for putting people like Dr.Sheng and Dr. Pamfort in my path. I also thank Him for you who have been supporting me and praying for me as I serve in China. He will never leave us nor forsake us! Hebrews 13:15. So, as always, thanks for your support, love, and prayers. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Medical Update
Ok, here we go. I went on Tuesday with my student to the hospital for the consultation with doctor whose English is very good.
As it turns out, they do not want me to have a "pot" CT, but a PET Scan. They are trying to either confirm the presence of cancer or rule it out. It seems that there are small lymph nodes making an appearance in abdominal area, and they also want to better identify the small spots on the top of my kidneys.
I will have to say the gall stones were a blessing in disguise. As big of an emotional crybaby as I can sometimes be, I have a pretty high tolerance for physical pain. And let me tell you, those gall bladder episodes were as painful as anything that I have experienced. The pain got my attention and told me "YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR!" If not for those gall stones, I would not have been going to a doctor, and wouldn't have had any of these tests done. So, God, in His infinite wisdom knew how to get my attention.
Now, this may turn out not to be cancer, but the doctor told me that is what they suspect. So, if it is, the gall stones have brought an early discovery, and that is always more desirable. I will have to go to Shanghai to have this test as the hospital here does not have the equipment to do it here in Zhangjiagang. Next weekend I will go to Zhenjiang and meet with Mr. Yang at the school and see about them helping make arrangements for the test in Shanghai. Until then, I will just place my trust in the Lord, and let Him be my peace, courage, and strength.
The doctor in Zhangjiagang Dr. Sheng, has given me his phone number and has told me to call him if I need any more assistance. He will help me to get all of my CT films put onto a USB so that I if needed, I can bring them back to the states. He has also recommended that if the tests do confirm cancer, to return to the U.S for treatment. Seems like and easy call, but I really still do need to pray about that for a number of reasons. I would ask you to also be praying. God is good. He put this doctor in my path. As a side note, he is a cardiac surgeon, just goes to show you how different our health care system is, not many cardiac surgeons in the U.S. would be working on Saturdays seeing patients for ordinary internal medicine maladies.
As it "just so happens" there is a man who comes to the Thursday bible study who is also a doctor and whose English is also excellent! He has also offered his help to me. I figure between the two of them, I can get a good understanding of where to go in Shanghai, and then they can help me with interpretation of the results. Although, I figure that in Shanghai, I have pretty good chances of getting doctors with good oral English abilities.
Even as "bad" as all this may sound, God has given me quite a few opportunities to tell and demonstrate the "good" that is found in "All things". One way you can know about this is at the end of my next blog(warning warning- if I was speaking, you would say it is long winded) that God has been prompting me to write for a few weeks now. Other ways, is that I've also been able to share this with my students, telling of my trust and faith in God, and also with the Thursday bible study. A dear lady named Nancy has reminded me several times that she is praying and that we are "marooned on the island of God's sovereignty" Think about that for a minute. There is no place I'd rather be. So, in closing, I just ask for your continued prayers, asking God to give the doctors ans me wisdom, for their are many things I need to consider. Ask him to continue to give me a Romans 8:28 foundation for my attitude. Healing, if it is in His will, and most of all trust and peace in His purpose. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
As it turns out, they do not want me to have a "pot" CT, but a PET Scan. They are trying to either confirm the presence of cancer or rule it out. It seems that there are small lymph nodes making an appearance in abdominal area, and they also want to better identify the small spots on the top of my kidneys.
I will have to say the gall stones were a blessing in disguise. As big of an emotional crybaby as I can sometimes be, I have a pretty high tolerance for physical pain. And let me tell you, those gall bladder episodes were as painful as anything that I have experienced. The pain got my attention and told me "YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR!" If not for those gall stones, I would not have been going to a doctor, and wouldn't have had any of these tests done. So, God, in His infinite wisdom knew how to get my attention.
Now, this may turn out not to be cancer, but the doctor told me that is what they suspect. So, if it is, the gall stones have brought an early discovery, and that is always more desirable. I will have to go to Shanghai to have this test as the hospital here does not have the equipment to do it here in Zhangjiagang. Next weekend I will go to Zhenjiang and meet with Mr. Yang at the school and see about them helping make arrangements for the test in Shanghai. Until then, I will just place my trust in the Lord, and let Him be my peace, courage, and strength.
The doctor in Zhangjiagang Dr. Sheng, has given me his phone number and has told me to call him if I need any more assistance. He will help me to get all of my CT films put onto a USB so that I if needed, I can bring them back to the states. He has also recommended that if the tests do confirm cancer, to return to the U.S for treatment. Seems like and easy call, but I really still do need to pray about that for a number of reasons. I would ask you to also be praying. God is good. He put this doctor in my path. As a side note, he is a cardiac surgeon, just goes to show you how different our health care system is, not many cardiac surgeons in the U.S. would be working on Saturdays seeing patients for ordinary internal medicine maladies.
As it "just so happens" there is a man who comes to the Thursday bible study who is also a doctor and whose English is also excellent! He has also offered his help to me. I figure between the two of them, I can get a good understanding of where to go in Shanghai, and then they can help me with interpretation of the results. Although, I figure that in Shanghai, I have pretty good chances of getting doctors with good oral English abilities.
Even as "bad" as all this may sound, God has given me quite a few opportunities to tell and demonstrate the "good" that is found in "All things". One way you can know about this is at the end of my next blog(warning warning- if I was speaking, you would say it is long winded) that God has been prompting me to write for a few weeks now. Other ways, is that I've also been able to share this with my students, telling of my trust and faith in God, and also with the Thursday bible study. A dear lady named Nancy has reminded me several times that she is praying and that we are "marooned on the island of God's sovereignty" Think about that for a minute. There is no place I'd rather be. So, in closing, I just ask for your continued prayers, asking God to give the doctors ans me wisdom, for their are many things I need to consider. Ask him to continue to give me a Romans 8:28 foundation for my attitude. Healing, if it is in His will, and most of all trust and peace in His purpose. Thanks for reading. Until the next time...
Monday, March 19, 2012
To Visit A Doctor In The Peoples Republic of China Pt. IV
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| In Front of the Hospital |
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| Ok, Time For One More Pic |
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| Coming Out of the Tube |
So, we went down to the registration window to register to see a doctor who could order the blood tests. Sunday apparently is a very busy day for seeing the doctor, because arriving to the waiting area we discovered that I was 60th on the list of numbers. But, that was ok, because there are around 6-8 doctor's offices for that particular area, and seems we only waited for about a half hour.
Lo and behold, the doctor I saw on this visit spoke directly to me in pretty good English! I mentioned that he was the first doctor that had communicated with me directly. He told me most Chinese doctors can speak English. I told him I suspected that but up until this point, they all spoke through my friends who came to translate and that I appreciated him speaking directly to me.
We told him why we were there and he ask me a few questions about my symptoms, reached over and poked me a few times in the belly and saw that caused no pain. He told me he did not suspect pancreatitis in that my symptoms were not consistent enough with pancreaits. I asked him what he did suspect,and like a good doc, he said that until he had more information he did not want to speculate. (At this point, we did not have the CT films). So to the "injection" lab we go (after paying for the lab tests 30yuan = $5 USD)
Ha ha, another great experience. We go up to the window where you give your information, and this time there is only a "Chinese line" that is everyone crowds around up front trying to be next. So, I looked at my students and said do you think I should go Chinese on the line, and they said yes. So, I kind of worked my way through every little opens space and was in front of the window in no time flat. Once there, I give my order slip to the nurse. Now, this is sort of like a Chinese Bank Teller window, where there is a piece of plexiglass between the teller and the customer and a small slot at the bottom, only this one had slots running horizontally across the bottom and a few more in the middle. I sit down in the chair on the opposite side and the nurse reaches through and straps my arm to find the vein. First the left arm. She can't find it. She calls her workmate over. She can't find it either. I am a little more "thicker" than most Chinese people so, they are probably not used to searching under a little more flesh for the vein. The ask for the other arm, strap it up, and viola! They find the vein, insert the needle (she did pretty good-on par with most needle sticks I've had for the purpose of drawing blood). Now, I can't remember if she took one vial or two. I was too busy looking at the little measuring cup and and test tube that I soon found out was going to be for my urine sample.
That's right, not your standard U.S. issue urine sample cup, but a small measuring cup with a tiny handle and a pour spout, more like a ladle. The whole thing is about as big as the 1tsp size in your cooking sets. Yes, you had to fill the little cup, and then pour the sample into the test tube.
They told us that the results would be ready in about an hour. So, we went and got a boazi (steamed bun with a meatball inside-pretty tasty, even though it is pork, I can usually eat at least one with no trouble because none of it is fried and there is very little oil). Took a walk to the museum down the street, which was pretty much closed because the were holding a home decorating exhibition in the main lobby.
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| Jia Hui & Zhu Zhu at the Museum |
Well, 1:15 rolls around and we were heading back to see the English speaking doc. Bummer, he was gone! The worker told us he was doing an operation. I asked when he would be here again and they told me he only works on Saturdays. ( I have no idea why he was there on Sunday, but glad he was). I was not in any pain, and the doc indicated that he did not think the situation was as urgent as the other guy did, we decided that we would go see if my CT scans were ready and save some time for this week when we would go back to see the doc who had ordered them. They were still at lunch, so we had another 15 minutes to wait.
When they opened, they told us that they were not ready. Zhu Zhu asked to speak to the guy who'd called us back. So, he comes back out and tells us they probably would not be ready until Monday. Zhu Zhu showed him the blood test, but it was like he did not know how to read it and did not say anything about what he read. So, we left to go home. All told, we had been there for almost 6 hrs, arriving around 8 and leaving just a little before 2-the longest time I've ever spent on all my visits. But, that was ok, because I was really kind of wanting some blood test to be run anyway. I figured they would need to in order to rule out or in any other problems-especially concerning the spotting on the pancreas and the spots on the adrenal glands.
I will return tomorrow, Tuesday, the 20th, pick up my films, and take those along with the results from the blood test and urine sample to the do who'd ordered the CT. Hopefully, there will be some definitive answers. If it is just gallstones, I am still looking for the Lord's leading on how to handle them. My desire is to try the meds that will dissolve them, but surgery may be an option. As long as I stay away from the fatty foods, oil and such, I've been relatively pain free.
I do have a friend from my Teachoverseas days who is now working in Beijing for Disney. She is going to try and get me some contact info for the "expat" medical practice there in Beijing. China is testing in some of the larger cities the allowance of western medical facilities, which includes some small hospitals run by foreigners. They are a bit more expensive (how much more, I don't know) but the quality of care is such that many Chinese prefer to use them as well.
Well, that is it for now. As always, thanks for reading, and your prayers are coveted and appreciated. Main thing I look for in prayer is wisdom for the docs, and a Romans 8:28 attitude for myself. Healing would be nice, but His will be done not mine. Thanks again, and until the next time...
Friday, March 16, 2012
To Visit a Doctor in The Peoples Republic of China: Part III
Ok, I went back to the hospital on Tuesday, March 13th to pick up the MRI and see the doctor. First, sorry the update is a little slow in coming but, after the doc, I needed to go to the grocery store to get pizza ingredients for the Tuesday-Wednesday pizza parties, and then the bible study on Thursday evening, along with classes, just had me a bit tired. So, on with the story.
On this visit, I had two of my current students, Zhu Zhu, and Xu Han go with me. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. and picked up the films. Then went back to the registration window and repeated the process of registering for a doctor. We went back up on the second floor, but this time to a different department ( I assume that these docs were a different sort of specialist), gave the receptionist our registration paper, and she confirmed our number to be called and the doctors office where I would have my consultation.
After about 15 minutes, my number was called, and back we went. Again, there was someone still in the office with the doctor, but Zhu Zhu went in and confirmed we were at the right office. So, he came back out, closed the door and we just stood by the door. As, we were waiting a man came up, and I could sense that he would try to get in ahead of us, so I sort of moved over and blocked his way. He understood my subtle message and kind of backed off a bit, but I could tell that given the opportunity, he would try to slip by me, so I kept an eye on him. About a minute later, a well dressed woman came up, and stood by me and knocked on the door. I gave way a little, and when no one answered, she reached in and opened the door. I did not attempt to block her out. Later, I was glad I had not, because as it turns out, her mother was back in one of the examining rooms.
After about 5 minutes, the man who was being seen ahead of me opened the door and came out and in we went. The doctor appeared to be on the younger side (age is hard to tell with Chinese people, but he was definitely the youngest doc I'd seen yet). He pulled the images out of the bag, and even though they had one of those wall lights to view the image, he just held them up one by one to the ceiling light and looked at them that way. He asked me a few questions about whether I was having any pain or not, and when I told him not lately, that I had been trying to watch what I eat, he nodded his head. I should tell you, that again, this is all taking place through the interpretation of my students. I do suspect the doc could speak some English, but chose not too. However, when I said that I was trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, he was nodding his head in affirmation before my student translated and told my student that was good. After a few more questions, he confirmed the suspected cause of my pains: Gallstones and Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the Gall Bladder. His recommendation was to have the surgery, but first he wanted me to see another doctor down the hall and have him look at the films. He saw something else and wanted a second opinion. On the plus side, the gallstones are smallish.
So, we went down the hall and saw the other doc and he looked at the films and my medical book. He then told me they wanted to have another test, a CT scan done. What they saw in addition to the gallstones were some spots on the adrenal glands and wanted a better picture. Up to this point, my medical history has not been discussed much so, I thought that I should volunteer that I had testicular cancer in 1994. He asked me about the treatment and the follow up. I let him know that after about a year and half of follow up, I was released from coming back for more check ups. However, he did want to give me a quick examination, so we went around the corner to a more "private" examining room. (Yes, in both doctor's offices, people were milling in and out, and that is where I saw the well dressed woman with hem mom, who had also received consultation by the doc I was now seeing). He gave me an exam, and asked a few questions and we were done, and there was no audience, ha ha, except for one of my student translators.
Consultation done, we needed to go schedule the CT. I thought I had the procedure down, so I led my students to a registration window on the second floor where the lines were shorter. However, we found out that we had to go arrange the CT first, so they would know how much to charge us. Apparently, there are different levels of CT's and the lab has to read the docs instructions and then give us a slip of paper detailing the type of CT to be billed. Downstairs we go.
Back in the radiology department, we take our place in the line. They have those line makers, like the ones in the banks, but they only had it pulled out for a short line. So, as we stood there, another guy did try to slip up ahead, but I aligned my students to stand 3 abreast of each other, effectively blocking a rear attempt at line hopping. Ha ha, you have to be on your guard. As we moved up to be second in line, a lady appeared to our right. She did stay on the other side of the rope, but was trying to lean in to get the attention of the clerk. Before she did, we moved up to take our turn. The clerk was still typing is some information from the last patient, and as she was, the lady was now kind of leaning up against my student and trying to get her papers in front of the clerk. I leaned forward and help my papers out in an attempt to block her efforts, but she was faster and better! The second the clerk stopped typing, the lady gave her papers a little toss and they landed right on the clerk's keyboard! Ha ha, gotta hand it to her, she came, she saw, and she conquered. The clerk took up her papers and began to process her. ( Chinese people are kind of use to this, and even though most of them don't like it when it happens, they usually will not begin a confrontation.) I just let it go. It did not take long for the clerk to process her and she soon was processing us.
Type of test in hand, Zhu Zhu, and I headed back up to the registration window. I turned around and saw that Xu Han had gotten back in line. Because, the paper we had was just for billing purposes, we would have to come back with the paid receipt to schedule the actual appointment so, Xu Han, was "holding" a place in line for us. I started to say something, but Zhu Zhu told me it was alright, that Chinese people do that all the time. I don't know if I had mentioned this, but on my first visit, Tuo had wanted us to stand in two separate lines in case one was faster than the other. I have also seen this in the grocery store, where a husband and wife will stand in separate lines, and then when once reaches the cashier the other will come over. I had picked a line once on the basis that the person in front of me seemed to have very little groceries, but then when it was his turn, his wife comes over with a full cart of groceries. I tried to block them out, but the husband just reached over and his wife handed him stuff from her cart. Realizing that I had lost, I relented and pulled my cart back a bit to let her get her cart to speed up the process. I wonder how all that plays into line theory management courses. Ha ha.
CT scan paid for, WOW!, much more expensive than the MRI, 2700rmb ($427 USD)! Again, I am fortunate that I am paid rather well. For a person employed as a street cleaner that is 3 times their monthly salary. For many English teachers, that would be 90% of their monthly salary, and for recent college graduates from a non-famous school, that would be almost, and in some cases, equal to their monthly salary. I am not sure how many people are actually covered by some type of insurance plan. But, if not covered, these charges would be a real burden on them and their families.
So, the CT is scheduled for this Sunday at 8:15 a.m., and again two students will go with me. I invited anyone who wanted to come, but that is rather early for students to get up on a Sunday morning.
To wrap up a few things, I did go back to the first doc I saw that day, and we asked about getting some medication that, in about 15% of the patients, will dissolve the gallstones, and he said sure we could try that first as long as I was not in too much pain. And I have been emailing my sister back home who is a nurse and has some connections with some really good doctors and she has been talking with them a bit. From the information relayed so far, they seem to be in agreement in the course of action. Lastly, it is possible that the spots on the adrenal glands could be scar tissue from my cancer treatments and the massive operation I underwent.
So, there you have it. Whichever way it goes, it is in God's hands and I trust him. Of course, I would rather this be a simple case of gallstones and scaring, but as Jesus prayed "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)and so it shall be. You can pray for wisdom for the docs, continues respite from the pains (avoiding certain foods has all but eliminated the most severest of pain) a little more energy and rest for me, and most of all that I would allow this to be a practical demonstration of Romans 8:28 " And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Thanks for reading, as always, feel free to ask questions. May you experience all the blessings God has for you. Until the next time...
On this visit, I had two of my current students, Zhu Zhu, and Xu Han go with me. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 a.m. and picked up the films. Then went back to the registration window and repeated the process of registering for a doctor. We went back up on the second floor, but this time to a different department ( I assume that these docs were a different sort of specialist), gave the receptionist our registration paper, and she confirmed our number to be called and the doctors office where I would have my consultation.
After about 15 minutes, my number was called, and back we went. Again, there was someone still in the office with the doctor, but Zhu Zhu went in and confirmed we were at the right office. So, he came back out, closed the door and we just stood by the door. As, we were waiting a man came up, and I could sense that he would try to get in ahead of us, so I sort of moved over and blocked his way. He understood my subtle message and kind of backed off a bit, but I could tell that given the opportunity, he would try to slip by me, so I kept an eye on him. About a minute later, a well dressed woman came up, and stood by me and knocked on the door. I gave way a little, and when no one answered, she reached in and opened the door. I did not attempt to block her out. Later, I was glad I had not, because as it turns out, her mother was back in one of the examining rooms.
After about 5 minutes, the man who was being seen ahead of me opened the door and came out and in we went. The doctor appeared to be on the younger side (age is hard to tell with Chinese people, but he was definitely the youngest doc I'd seen yet). He pulled the images out of the bag, and even though they had one of those wall lights to view the image, he just held them up one by one to the ceiling light and looked at them that way. He asked me a few questions about whether I was having any pain or not, and when I told him not lately, that I had been trying to watch what I eat, he nodded his head. I should tell you, that again, this is all taking place through the interpretation of my students. I do suspect the doc could speak some English, but chose not too. However, when I said that I was trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, he was nodding his head in affirmation before my student translated and told my student that was good. After a few more questions, he confirmed the suspected cause of my pains: Gallstones and Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the Gall Bladder. His recommendation was to have the surgery, but first he wanted me to see another doctor down the hall and have him look at the films. He saw something else and wanted a second opinion. On the plus side, the gallstones are smallish.
So, we went down the hall and saw the other doc and he looked at the films and my medical book. He then told me they wanted to have another test, a CT scan done. What they saw in addition to the gallstones were some spots on the adrenal glands and wanted a better picture. Up to this point, my medical history has not been discussed much so, I thought that I should volunteer that I had testicular cancer in 1994. He asked me about the treatment and the follow up. I let him know that after about a year and half of follow up, I was released from coming back for more check ups. However, he did want to give me a quick examination, so we went around the corner to a more "private" examining room. (Yes, in both doctor's offices, people were milling in and out, and that is where I saw the well dressed woman with hem mom, who had also received consultation by the doc I was now seeing). He gave me an exam, and asked a few questions and we were done, and there was no audience, ha ha, except for one of my student translators.
Consultation done, we needed to go schedule the CT. I thought I had the procedure down, so I led my students to a registration window on the second floor where the lines were shorter. However, we found out that we had to go arrange the CT first, so they would know how much to charge us. Apparently, there are different levels of CT's and the lab has to read the docs instructions and then give us a slip of paper detailing the type of CT to be billed. Downstairs we go.
Back in the radiology department, we take our place in the line. They have those line makers, like the ones in the banks, but they only had it pulled out for a short line. So, as we stood there, another guy did try to slip up ahead, but I aligned my students to stand 3 abreast of each other, effectively blocking a rear attempt at line hopping. Ha ha, you have to be on your guard. As we moved up to be second in line, a lady appeared to our right. She did stay on the other side of the rope, but was trying to lean in to get the attention of the clerk. Before she did, we moved up to take our turn. The clerk was still typing is some information from the last patient, and as she was, the lady was now kind of leaning up against my student and trying to get her papers in front of the clerk. I leaned forward and help my papers out in an attempt to block her efforts, but she was faster and better! The second the clerk stopped typing, the lady gave her papers a little toss and they landed right on the clerk's keyboard! Ha ha, gotta hand it to her, she came, she saw, and she conquered. The clerk took up her papers and began to process her. ( Chinese people are kind of use to this, and even though most of them don't like it when it happens, they usually will not begin a confrontation.) I just let it go. It did not take long for the clerk to process her and she soon was processing us.
Type of test in hand, Zhu Zhu, and I headed back up to the registration window. I turned around and saw that Xu Han had gotten back in line. Because, the paper we had was just for billing purposes, we would have to come back with the paid receipt to schedule the actual appointment so, Xu Han, was "holding" a place in line for us. I started to say something, but Zhu Zhu told me it was alright, that Chinese people do that all the time. I don't know if I had mentioned this, but on my first visit, Tuo had wanted us to stand in two separate lines in case one was faster than the other. I have also seen this in the grocery store, where a husband and wife will stand in separate lines, and then when once reaches the cashier the other will come over. I had picked a line once on the basis that the person in front of me seemed to have very little groceries, but then when it was his turn, his wife comes over with a full cart of groceries. I tried to block them out, but the husband just reached over and his wife handed him stuff from her cart. Realizing that I had lost, I relented and pulled my cart back a bit to let her get her cart to speed up the process. I wonder how all that plays into line theory management courses. Ha ha.
CT scan paid for, WOW!, much more expensive than the MRI, 2700rmb ($427 USD)! Again, I am fortunate that I am paid rather well. For a person employed as a street cleaner that is 3 times their monthly salary. For many English teachers, that would be 90% of their monthly salary, and for recent college graduates from a non-famous school, that would be almost, and in some cases, equal to their monthly salary. I am not sure how many people are actually covered by some type of insurance plan. But, if not covered, these charges would be a real burden on them and their families.
So, the CT is scheduled for this Sunday at 8:15 a.m., and again two students will go with me. I invited anyone who wanted to come, but that is rather early for students to get up on a Sunday morning.
To wrap up a few things, I did go back to the first doc I saw that day, and we asked about getting some medication that, in about 15% of the patients, will dissolve the gallstones, and he said sure we could try that first as long as I was not in too much pain. And I have been emailing my sister back home who is a nurse and has some connections with some really good doctors and she has been talking with them a bit. From the information relayed so far, they seem to be in agreement in the course of action. Lastly, it is possible that the spots on the adrenal glands could be scar tissue from my cancer treatments and the massive operation I underwent.
So, there you have it. Whichever way it goes, it is in God's hands and I trust him. Of course, I would rather this be a simple case of gallstones and scaring, but as Jesus prayed "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:36)and so it shall be. You can pray for wisdom for the docs, continues respite from the pains (avoiding certain foods has all but eliminated the most severest of pain) a little more energy and rest for me, and most of all that I would allow this to be a practical demonstration of Romans 8:28 " And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Thanks for reading, as always, feel free to ask questions. May you experience all the blessings God has for you. Until the next time...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
To Visit a Doctor in The Peoples Republic of China Pt. 2, And A Few Tidbits
A an update and a couple of interesting tidbits.
First, I went to schedule my second test today. Looks like it will be an MRI. Same process, arrive at the hospital and and wait for the registration window to open to register and make a small payment of 9.8 yuan ($1.55 U.S.,not really sure what the payment was for), then over to the doctor's office. Again, we just walk right in despite another patient receiving a consultation. Different doc this time, but he takes my book, reads the notes, and then writes up the order for the test. Order slip in hand, off we go to the payment window. The fee is 980 yuan ($155.27 U.S.). Ha ha, the two payments are just different by two decimal points. The only time I could get an appointment is on Sunday the 11th, at 8:00a.m. So, in and out in less than an hour. The process has been pretty smooth so far. For you guys back in the states, that would be around 8:00p.m. Central time.
Now for the interesting tidbits. As things go, my little sister Molly back in the U.S. has also just been recently diagnosed with the same thing. She says for the time being, she is going to try and managers hers with dietary changes as well. Going to more fruits and veggies, more fiber, tuna, and a little grilled chicken among other things.
So, for the second tidbit, I'll let you decide how much God was involved (I already have my opinion and you guess what it is ha ha!). The other day I went to the grocery store to see if the mozzarella & pepperoni had come in for Ma Long's Pizzeria. The mozzarella made it, but no pepperoni, but that is ok, I still have another package of pepperoni left. Funny thing is the dairy and the red fatty meat is supposed to be a no go for me. Hadn't thought about it, but as I write, comes to mind that could be the God thing too! "} Anyway, I will just have to limit myself to a slice or two and let the students enjoy their creations. I get most of my fun just watching their faces as they make and eat their first personally made pizza.
But, I digress. While in the store, I spotted a small bottle of pomegranate juice. As I am not really supposed to take in a lot of citrus, I thought why not give this a try. I have heard that pomegranate juice is supposed to be really healthy. However, not having my glasses with me, I could read the ingredients, and I did not know if I would like the taste, but decided since it was a small bottle, I would "have a try". I put it in my basket, went home, put it in the fridge and promptly forgot about it until today. I put on my glasses and read the label. Only 25% juice and a lot of sugar. So, that is no good. I left to go meet Tuo to go make the appointment.
Here is where I believe God was working on this situation long before I had the first symptom. Every year, most cities host a "Christmas Party" for all the foreigner teachers and businessmen and their Chinese counterparts. I really don't like to go to these things because they are not really about Christmas and usually a lot of drinking takes place, and it is a little awkward for me because I no longer drink, and part of the culture is the toast. In Zhenjiang, after the first year, the school official just came to accept that and it did not bother them anymore.
Ha ha, I remember the first dinner I attended with Tami Kirby, my teaching partner at the time. When they came around to pour the bijou (wine) in my glass, and I covered my glass with my hand, you could have heard a pin drop! We explained that we did not have an objection to them having the wine, it was that I just no longer could. There was more awkward silence, and then after a minute or so, they had the rest of the wine taken out of the room, and replaced it with juice and yogurt milk. But, everything went well, and at the next function, they drank, and we did not, but we toasted with our juice and nobody seemed to mind. The drinking culture here is very strong. Ha, but I digress again!
So, after we made our appointment, Tuo went back to the school, and I went to another grocery store to find green and yellow peppers. While there, I also decided to see if I could find some organic, or 100% juices, and maybe pick up some more fruit. Then it dawned upon me, at the Christmas party, I won pretty nice juicer as a door prize. I had even tried to give it away as I thought I really did not have the counter space for it, and being somewhat lazy, did not relish the thought of cleaning it after I was done. ( I had not even opened the box to look at it yet) So, I bought a few more bananas, some strawberries, and some nice looking carrots and went home.
I opened the box and had a look, and it is really not all that big. I could probably figure it out for myself, but I decided I would wait until tomorrow and try it out for the first time with my students. I think they will enjoy that as much as the pizza. So, whatcha think, did God have His hand in that or what?
I will update you further next week after the test. So, until the next time, keep me and my students in your prayers. Thanks for reading.
First, I went to schedule my second test today. Looks like it will be an MRI. Same process, arrive at the hospital and and wait for the registration window to open to register and make a small payment of 9.8 yuan ($1.55 U.S.,not really sure what the payment was for), then over to the doctor's office. Again, we just walk right in despite another patient receiving a consultation. Different doc this time, but he takes my book, reads the notes, and then writes up the order for the test. Order slip in hand, off we go to the payment window. The fee is 980 yuan ($155.27 U.S.). Ha ha, the two payments are just different by two decimal points. The only time I could get an appointment is on Sunday the 11th, at 8:00a.m. So, in and out in less than an hour. The process has been pretty smooth so far. For you guys back in the states, that would be around 8:00p.m. Central time.
Now for the interesting tidbits. As things go, my little sister Molly back in the U.S. has also just been recently diagnosed with the same thing. She says for the time being, she is going to try and managers hers with dietary changes as well. Going to more fruits and veggies, more fiber, tuna, and a little grilled chicken among other things.
So, for the second tidbit, I'll let you decide how much God was involved (I already have my opinion and you guess what it is ha ha!). The other day I went to the grocery store to see if the mozzarella & pepperoni had come in for Ma Long's Pizzeria. The mozzarella made it, but no pepperoni, but that is ok, I still have another package of pepperoni left. Funny thing is the dairy and the red fatty meat is supposed to be a no go for me. Hadn't thought about it, but as I write, comes to mind that could be the God thing too! "} Anyway, I will just have to limit myself to a slice or two and let the students enjoy their creations. I get most of my fun just watching their faces as they make and eat their first personally made pizza.
But, I digress. While in the store, I spotted a small bottle of pomegranate juice. As I am not really supposed to take in a lot of citrus, I thought why not give this a try. I have heard that pomegranate juice is supposed to be really healthy. However, not having my glasses with me, I could read the ingredients, and I did not know if I would like the taste, but decided since it was a small bottle, I would "have a try". I put it in my basket, went home, put it in the fridge and promptly forgot about it until today. I put on my glasses and read the label. Only 25% juice and a lot of sugar. So, that is no good. I left to go meet Tuo to go make the appointment.
Here is where I believe God was working on this situation long before I had the first symptom. Every year, most cities host a "Christmas Party" for all the foreigner teachers and businessmen and their Chinese counterparts. I really don't like to go to these things because they are not really about Christmas and usually a lot of drinking takes place, and it is a little awkward for me because I no longer drink, and part of the culture is the toast. In Zhenjiang, after the first year, the school official just came to accept that and it did not bother them anymore.
Ha ha, I remember the first dinner I attended with Tami Kirby, my teaching partner at the time. When they came around to pour the bijou (wine) in my glass, and I covered my glass with my hand, you could have heard a pin drop! We explained that we did not have an objection to them having the wine, it was that I just no longer could. There was more awkward silence, and then after a minute or so, they had the rest of the wine taken out of the room, and replaced it with juice and yogurt milk. But, everything went well, and at the next function, they drank, and we did not, but we toasted with our juice and nobody seemed to mind. The drinking culture here is very strong. Ha, but I digress again!
So, after we made our appointment, Tuo went back to the school, and I went to another grocery store to find green and yellow peppers. While there, I also decided to see if I could find some organic, or 100% juices, and maybe pick up some more fruit. Then it dawned upon me, at the Christmas party, I won pretty nice juicer as a door prize. I had even tried to give it away as I thought I really did not have the counter space for it, and being somewhat lazy, did not relish the thought of cleaning it after I was done. ( I had not even opened the box to look at it yet) So, I bought a few more bananas, some strawberries, and some nice looking carrots and went home.
I opened the box and had a look, and it is really not all that big. I could probably figure it out for myself, but I decided I would wait until tomorrow and try it out for the first time with my students. I think they will enjoy that as much as the pizza. So, whatcha think, did God have His hand in that or what?
I will update you further next week after the test. So, until the next time, keep me and my students in your prayers. Thanks for reading.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
To Visit a Doctor in The Peoples Republic of China
Well, as some of you may know from my newsletter, and for those of you who are just now finding out now, I've had the opportunity to experience a doctors visit in China in the same way that everyday ordinary Chinese citizens do. For my Facebook friends who do not receive my newsletter, let me give you a little background.
Shortly after returning from Australia on January 31st, I began to experience some discomfort in my upper abdomen, and on two occasions, some really severe pain. Because this occurred while the students and staff were still at home for Spring Festival, I decided that if this did not clear up by the time they returned I would find someone to take me to the doctor. Upon their return, I had not really experienced any more sever pains, and had only some minor discomfort, so I told Tuo, a friend and an administrative worker about it and said if it did not go away in two weeks I would like him to go with me to help interpret. As you probably have surmised by now, it did not go away, and we made arrangements to have the visit on Friday March 2nd.
Early in the morning of March 2nd, around 4 a.m., I was awoken with pain in my upper abdomen, severe pain! After about an hour and taking some aspirin, which did not help. I decided maybe I should try to get Tuo to call 120 and go to the emergency room. So, I got dressed and went into the living room and sent him a text message telling him my pain was severe. I then sat down and opened my bible and came to 2nd Chronicles 19;20 and began reading about Jehu's rebuke of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat's reformation, and calling on the Lord when Judah was about to be invaded. Oddly enough, as I read, the pain subsided, and I fell asleep. Since I had sent a text message, Tuo did not hear the message tone, but when he awoke around 6:30 and called to ask if I wanted to go to the doctor right away. I told him no, as the pain had subsided and that we would just follow our plan and go after lunch. On with the visit!
In China, you just don't go to the doctor, because there is no private practice so to speak (that may change in the next few years), you go to the hospital to see the doctor. Our plan was to arrive at 2 p.m. because like most government institutions, offices shut down around noon and then reopen around 2 p.m. That is not to say that in an emergency you would not be able to see a doctor, just if you are seeking a regular visit you have to wait for the normal time.
So, we get there and pick a line to stand in to wait for the registration- payment office window to open. When the window opened Tuo went to the check in desk to give them my personal information so that I could get my medical card. Every Chinese person has a card similar to this, but it also has their picture on it as well. On the back of the card as you can see is a magnetic strip similar to the one on the back of our credit, and bank cards. Right now, it just has basic information such as name, age, place of residence, and is used to record your visit and payment information. The plan for the future is to have all information recorded to the card so that the required medical booklet can be eliminated. Right now, all of your medical records are recorded in this book:
With the exception of your basic information, all the medical records are kept in this book, and all citizens are responsible for keeping the book safe and to bring the book with them for each medical visit.
Well by the time Tuo returned with these I was almost next in line. When it was my turn, I gave the lady my card, book, and passport (for I.D.) and she slipped the card into a reader, typed in some information to the computer, and then popped the cover of the book into a printing device, and it put my name, my patient record number, and age on the front. I paid 5 yuan (.80 cents U.S.) for the card and after we told her the nature of my problem, she gave us a slip of paper that assigned me to see an internal medicine specialist on the second floor. So, we arrive on the second floor, give the receptionist our paper and are assigned a number and the office number we would go to when the number was called. Even though there were about 20-30 other people in the waiting room, my number was called after about 15 minutes. We made our way back to our assigned office. The doctor was still with another patient but Tuo walked right in and asked the doctor something as I stood in the doorway. You should know, there is no expectation of privacy in the Chinese hospital. That is just the way it is, and the Chinese people are use to it and don't seem the least bit phased by it.
Well, it became my turn and I sat down across from the doctor as Tuo told her my symptoms. She asked a couple of questions and through Tuo I gave my answers. She then had me lay down on the examination table and began to examine my abdomen and lower stomach, apply pressure at various points and asking if it caused any pain. (just like a U.S. doctor would do). Meanwhile, other patients who were waiting to see her were milling in and out asking questions and inspecting the fat laowai (by the way, I have lost 4 more kgs=8.8 pounds) being examined. This is very similar to my experience when I first arrived in China and had to take a physical. People would come in and out of the exam rooms where I was being seen and asked the docs questions and take a peek at the foreigner being examined. So, I was not totally surprised that this would be happening during this visit.
After the examination, she wrote something in the medical book. I presume it was her findings based on the answers to my questions and her physical examination ( I have not asked Tuo for a direct interpretation yet). She then sent us to go have a sonogram of my abdominal area from the top, and both sides. But, first we had to go pay. The cost was 136 yuan (about $22 U.S). We made our payment, and then went to the wing of the hospital where the sonogram would be performed. We go to the reception window and show the lady our instructions and payment record and she sends us directly back to where the sonogram would be performed. Up until this point, I did not feel I was getting any preferential treatment because I was a foreigner, but kind of did so when she sent us back first while there were quite a few people in the waiting area. However, they could have been waiting for some other type of testing. Maybe I was just fortunate and the Lord opened the path because he knew Tuo had to be back at the school before 4:30 in order to catch the bus back to his hometown in Zhenjiang.
Anyway, we go in and I am instructed to lie on the table and the specialist begins her work. As she takes her pictures, she tells the person next to her what she is seeing and he types the notes into the computer. I commented to Tuo that this is the type of procedure that is often performed on pregnant women to see the fetus. I was under the impression that Chinese women were not allowed to have this procedure, but as I was getting up, a very pregnant Chinese woman was in the room waiting. So, obviously, they can have the procedure. However, my understanding is that it is against the one child policy regulations to inform them of sex of the child. ( If any of my Chinese readers would like to clarify this, right or wrong, send me a comment and I will publish it in the comment section.)
With the sonogram complete, and picture in hand, we head back to see the doctor. As we arrive, I see an older couple waiting outside and see the doctor consulting with another patient. Tuo walks right in as I protested that we should "wait our turn". He informs me that there is no need to wait, that you don't get a new number and you have the right to see the doctor once the test is done. Reluctantly, I just followed his lead. After the doc finished with the patient in front of her I sat down across from her while she looked at the sonogram and read the notes. She then wrote her opinions in the medical record book, and then informed me that I had gall stones. She said that she would like to have another test done to determine whether there is any blockage in the main duct leading to the gall bladder. However, that test would have to be scheduled in advance. I am assuming it is going to be some sort of x-ray, or possibly a ct scan. So, next week, I will go back and schedule an appointment that is convenient for Tuo to go with me.
In the meantime, she prescribed some medication and gave me two options for taking the medication. I could come back next week for several nights and take the med by IV (for my Chinese readers, the drip, or drop), or I could take the med in pill form. The popular option is the IV because it works faster, but, I really don't have time to come back each night, so I chose the pill form route. So, with this portion of the visit concluded, she gives me back my book with her notes, and an order slip for the pharmacy and off we go. At the pharmacy window we pay 26.5 yuan ($4.20 U.S.). As some added information, your really don't need a prescription for most medicines like in the U.S. You can just usually go to a pharmacy store and by what you need over the counter. I have purchased penicillin and amoxcylin many times for my annual bronchial infections.
Overall, a pretty good experience. Total time invested from start to finish, an hour and a half. Total cost of the visit: 167.5 yuan ($26.59 U.S.). I should mention here that there are no fees for the doctor or the specialist performing the test. They are paid government employees. While I did have as good as experience as possible for a medical visit, I feel the need to add a few caveats.
First, as you can see that health care in a socialist country is not entirely free (neither is a college education as some of those OWS people think they have a right too). In fact, Each year, the Chinese people are paying more and more for their health care. I am fortunate to have a good paying job, so my expenses were minimal to me. But for those without health insurance, and that are making minimum wages the expense can be somewhat of a burden. I have been told to save my receipts and turn them into the school and they will submit them to the insurer for reimbursement. So, when I find out how much the insurance covers, I will update this and let you know. By the way, I am told that the second test will be a bit more expensive, a little over a 1000 yuan (around $158 U.S.). Again, for someone like me with a good paying job, this is not a great expense. However, with some one with no insurance, and at minimum wages, (depending on the city, this can be anywhere from 900-1200 yuan a month, and I would suppose just like everything else, in larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai these fees would be substantially higher) these fees could be quite burdensome.
Secondly, even though there are no doctor fees, I've been told that if you want to get excellent service, you need to slip the doctor a "hong bao", a red envelope with cash in it. The more cash, the better the service. Altough, during my visit, I did not see this happening, nor did I give my doc a hong bao. I have some friends who related to me that at the birth of their child, they slipped the doctor two envelopes with grocery cards. They would not tell me how much money they had put on the cards, but they did so as payment for the doctors special attention. Right or wrong, this is just the way it is, and I am told that it is common practice and the Chinese people are use to this method. As I said earlier, Chinese medical workers are paid government employees and are not generally paid as well as their western counter parts, and also have the expense of their schooling to pay for, as well as probably putting in more ours than their western counter parts. Again, if any of my Chinese readers would like to clarify this, or add their commentary, please do so and I will publish your comments.
Thirdly, even if some of the medical expenses are subsidized by the government, the sheer number of the population 1.3 billion and growing, along with the aging of the population, places a greater burden on the government resources, and this is getting harder and harder to balance. Not to mention the burden on the people who pay the taxes, from which the government derives its resources . I know that everyone talks about how great the Chinese economy is and all that, but there are many problems underlying the economy that are not readily visible or often reported by the press. State subsidized health care is one of them.
Finally, I don't want to be political in these blogs, and this is as political as I will ever get, (well, besides the OWS reference mentioned earlier) but a socialist health care system is not the panacea that it is made out to be, and with the current legislation recently passed in the U.S, this is where we are heading. Now, I know that our health care system is in need of reform, and that millions of uninsured workers need a safety net (by the way, in the U.S, I am one of those uninsured) but I believe that the bill rammed through congress will eventually only make our health care system worse, and not better. The bill has not even gone into effect and there are already problems associated with the implementation, and major questions are now arising about the supposed savings this bill would bring.
There is an old saying, "you get what you pay for". So, to that end, if we are not paying for anything (except insurance premiums) what kind of treatment are we going to get? Will we be slipping "hong baos" to our doctors? I believe we should have attempted to bring reforms to the practices associated with insurance and the actual medical practice itself. Insurance companies do have a right to make profits, and doctors should have the right to practice without the worry of some frivolous lawsuit that forces them to order every test imaginable to protect them from malpractice claims (an insurance issue). Yes, there are bad doctors out there and everyone knows it. Part of that solution would be for the AMA to rigorously pursue and enforce medical standards and ethics. The trouble is, there is too much protection afforded and too little punishment meted out to the bad doctors, all because they are "one of their own". Doctors protect doctors, and lawyers protect lawyers. It is time they are reminded that they are to serve the people that pay them, and not protect the profession at all costs. Punishment would only enhance the reputation and increase the peoples confidence in them...Ok, end of the rant, and that will be all the politics that you will see from me on this blog.
So, there you have it, my experience with the Chinese medical system. Thus far, speaking as someone who has the resources to pay without feeling of being burdened by the expense, and as someone who has now experienced both eastern and western healthcare, I must say twas an excellent experience. If any of my Chinese readers want to share their experience, I would love to hear from you. As always, feel free to ask questions or comment, and I will do my best to respond to your questions. All comments will be published and of course you can comment anonymously if you desire. And, if you are so inclined, please say a few prayers for me. Thanks for reading.
Shortly after returning from Australia on January 31st, I began to experience some discomfort in my upper abdomen, and on two occasions, some really severe pain. Because this occurred while the students and staff were still at home for Spring Festival, I decided that if this did not clear up by the time they returned I would find someone to take me to the doctor. Upon their return, I had not really experienced any more sever pains, and had only some minor discomfort, so I told Tuo, a friend and an administrative worker about it and said if it did not go away in two weeks I would like him to go with me to help interpret. As you probably have surmised by now, it did not go away, and we made arrangements to have the visit on Friday March 2nd.
Early in the morning of March 2nd, around 4 a.m., I was awoken with pain in my upper abdomen, severe pain! After about an hour and taking some aspirin, which did not help. I decided maybe I should try to get Tuo to call 120 and go to the emergency room. So, I got dressed and went into the living room and sent him a text message telling him my pain was severe. I then sat down and opened my bible and came to 2nd Chronicles 19;20 and began reading about Jehu's rebuke of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat's reformation, and calling on the Lord when Judah was about to be invaded. Oddly enough, as I read, the pain subsided, and I fell asleep. Since I had sent a text message, Tuo did not hear the message tone, but when he awoke around 6:30 and called to ask if I wanted to go to the doctor right away. I told him no, as the pain had subsided and that we would just follow our plan and go after lunch. On with the visit!
In China, you just don't go to the doctor, because there is no private practice so to speak (that may change in the next few years), you go to the hospital to see the doctor. Our plan was to arrive at 2 p.m. because like most government institutions, offices shut down around noon and then reopen around 2 p.m. That is not to say that in an emergency you would not be able to see a doctor, just if you are seeking a regular visit you have to wait for the normal time.
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| Back of My Chinese Medical Record Card |
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| Front of My Chinese Medical Record Card |
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| My Chinese Medical Record Book |
Well by the time Tuo returned with these I was almost next in line. When it was my turn, I gave the lady my card, book, and passport (for I.D.) and she slipped the card into a reader, typed in some information to the computer, and then popped the cover of the book into a printing device, and it put my name, my patient record number, and age on the front. I paid 5 yuan (.80 cents U.S.) for the card and after we told her the nature of my problem, she gave us a slip of paper that assigned me to see an internal medicine specialist on the second floor. So, we arrive on the second floor, give the receptionist our paper and are assigned a number and the office number we would go to when the number was called. Even though there were about 20-30 other people in the waiting room, my number was called after about 15 minutes. We made our way back to our assigned office. The doctor was still with another patient but Tuo walked right in and asked the doctor something as I stood in the doorway. You should know, there is no expectation of privacy in the Chinese hospital. That is just the way it is, and the Chinese people are use to it and don't seem the least bit phased by it.
Well, it became my turn and I sat down across from the doctor as Tuo told her my symptoms. She asked a couple of questions and through Tuo I gave my answers. She then had me lay down on the examination table and began to examine my abdomen and lower stomach, apply pressure at various points and asking if it caused any pain. (just like a U.S. doctor would do). Meanwhile, other patients who were waiting to see her were milling in and out asking questions and inspecting the fat laowai (by the way, I have lost 4 more kgs=8.8 pounds) being examined. This is very similar to my experience when I first arrived in China and had to take a physical. People would come in and out of the exam rooms where I was being seen and asked the docs questions and take a peek at the foreigner being examined. So, I was not totally surprised that this would be happening during this visit.
After the examination, she wrote something in the medical book. I presume it was her findings based on the answers to my questions and her physical examination ( I have not asked Tuo for a direct interpretation yet). She then sent us to go have a sonogram of my abdominal area from the top, and both sides. But, first we had to go pay. The cost was 136 yuan (about $22 U.S). We made our payment, and then went to the wing of the hospital where the sonogram would be performed. We go to the reception window and show the lady our instructions and payment record and she sends us directly back to where the sonogram would be performed. Up until this point, I did not feel I was getting any preferential treatment because I was a foreigner, but kind of did so when she sent us back first while there were quite a few people in the waiting area. However, they could have been waiting for some other type of testing. Maybe I was just fortunate and the Lord opened the path because he knew Tuo had to be back at the school before 4:30 in order to catch the bus back to his hometown in Zhenjiang.
Anyway, we go in and I am instructed to lie on the table and the specialist begins her work. As she takes her pictures, she tells the person next to her what she is seeing and he types the notes into the computer. I commented to Tuo that this is the type of procedure that is often performed on pregnant women to see the fetus. I was under the impression that Chinese women were not allowed to have this procedure, but as I was getting up, a very pregnant Chinese woman was in the room waiting. So, obviously, they can have the procedure. However, my understanding is that it is against the one child policy regulations to inform them of sex of the child. ( If any of my Chinese readers would like to clarify this, right or wrong, send me a comment and I will publish it in the comment section.)
With the sonogram complete, and picture in hand, we head back to see the doctor. As we arrive, I see an older couple waiting outside and see the doctor consulting with another patient. Tuo walks right in as I protested that we should "wait our turn". He informs me that there is no need to wait, that you don't get a new number and you have the right to see the doctor once the test is done. Reluctantly, I just followed his lead. After the doc finished with the patient in front of her I sat down across from her while she looked at the sonogram and read the notes. She then wrote her opinions in the medical record book, and then informed me that I had gall stones. She said that she would like to have another test done to determine whether there is any blockage in the main duct leading to the gall bladder. However, that test would have to be scheduled in advance. I am assuming it is going to be some sort of x-ray, or possibly a ct scan. So, next week, I will go back and schedule an appointment that is convenient for Tuo to go with me.
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| My First Recorded Chinese Medical Record |
Overall, a pretty good experience. Total time invested from start to finish, an hour and a half. Total cost of the visit: 167.5 yuan ($26.59 U.S.). I should mention here that there are no fees for the doctor or the specialist performing the test. They are paid government employees. While I did have as good as experience as possible for a medical visit, I feel the need to add a few caveats.
First, as you can see that health care in a socialist country is not entirely free (neither is a college education as some of those OWS people think they have a right too). In fact, Each year, the Chinese people are paying more and more for their health care. I am fortunate to have a good paying job, so my expenses were minimal to me. But for those without health insurance, and that are making minimum wages the expense can be somewhat of a burden. I have been told to save my receipts and turn them into the school and they will submit them to the insurer for reimbursement. So, when I find out how much the insurance covers, I will update this and let you know. By the way, I am told that the second test will be a bit more expensive, a little over a 1000 yuan (around $158 U.S.). Again, for someone like me with a good paying job, this is not a great expense. However, with some one with no insurance, and at minimum wages, (depending on the city, this can be anywhere from 900-1200 yuan a month, and I would suppose just like everything else, in larger cities like Beijing and Shanghai these fees would be substantially higher) these fees could be quite burdensome.
Secondly, even though there are no doctor fees, I've been told that if you want to get excellent service, you need to slip the doctor a "hong bao", a red envelope with cash in it. The more cash, the better the service. Altough, during my visit, I did not see this happening, nor did I give my doc a hong bao. I have some friends who related to me that at the birth of their child, they slipped the doctor two envelopes with grocery cards. They would not tell me how much money they had put on the cards, but they did so as payment for the doctors special attention. Right or wrong, this is just the way it is, and I am told that it is common practice and the Chinese people are use to this method. As I said earlier, Chinese medical workers are paid government employees and are not generally paid as well as their western counter parts, and also have the expense of their schooling to pay for, as well as probably putting in more ours than their western counter parts. Again, if any of my Chinese readers would like to clarify this, or add their commentary, please do so and I will publish your comments.Thirdly, even if some of the medical expenses are subsidized by the government, the sheer number of the population 1.3 billion and growing, along with the aging of the population, places a greater burden on the government resources, and this is getting harder and harder to balance. Not to mention the burden on the people who pay the taxes, from which the government derives its resources . I know that everyone talks about how great the Chinese economy is and all that, but there are many problems underlying the economy that are not readily visible or often reported by the press. State subsidized health care is one of them.
Finally, I don't want to be political in these blogs, and this is as political as I will ever get, (well, besides the OWS reference mentioned earlier) but a socialist health care system is not the panacea that it is made out to be, and with the current legislation recently passed in the U.S, this is where we are heading. Now, I know that our health care system is in need of reform, and that millions of uninsured workers need a safety net (by the way, in the U.S, I am one of those uninsured) but I believe that the bill rammed through congress will eventually only make our health care system worse, and not better. The bill has not even gone into effect and there are already problems associated with the implementation, and major questions are now arising about the supposed savings this bill would bring.
There is an old saying, "you get what you pay for". So, to that end, if we are not paying for anything (except insurance premiums) what kind of treatment are we going to get? Will we be slipping "hong baos" to our doctors? I believe we should have attempted to bring reforms to the practices associated with insurance and the actual medical practice itself. Insurance companies do have a right to make profits, and doctors should have the right to practice without the worry of some frivolous lawsuit that forces them to order every test imaginable to protect them from malpractice claims (an insurance issue). Yes, there are bad doctors out there and everyone knows it. Part of that solution would be for the AMA to rigorously pursue and enforce medical standards and ethics. The trouble is, there is too much protection afforded and too little punishment meted out to the bad doctors, all because they are "one of their own". Doctors protect doctors, and lawyers protect lawyers. It is time they are reminded that they are to serve the people that pay them, and not protect the profession at all costs. Punishment would only enhance the reputation and increase the peoples confidence in them...Ok, end of the rant, and that will be all the politics that you will see from me on this blog.
So, there you have it, my experience with the Chinese medical system. Thus far, speaking as someone who has the resources to pay without feeling of being burdened by the expense, and as someone who has now experienced both eastern and western healthcare, I must say twas an excellent experience. If any of my Chinese readers want to share their experience, I would love to hear from you. As always, feel free to ask questions or comment, and I will do my best to respond to your questions. All comments will be published and of course you can comment anonymously if you desire. And, if you are so inclined, please say a few prayers for me. Thanks for reading.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thnigs I did not use to know...
Things I did not know, feel, think, or do before living in China:
- Diligently carry an umbrella at the slightest hint of rain
- Consider drinking hot water to satisfy my thirst
- Did not know that ice is not readily available everywhere.
- Regularly take a taxi or bus to traverse a city
- Use a bicycle as a regular method of transportation. (At least, not since I was a kid)
- Travel by train or bus from one city to another
- Wear a hat, coat, and sometimes gloves-indoors...while teaching, or just sitting around the house.
- That rice, vegetables, and noodles would be considered breakfast.
- Bargain with a street vendor for some item I wanted to buy.
- Did not know that milk does not taste the same in every part of the world.
- Did not know I would need to have tourist visa before I could board my flight to Australia from China
- Other than a 3 hour trip to Canada in the mid 90's, travel to a foreign country. Now, I have been to 3: China, Thailand, and Australia
- Consider a city of 2.5 million people to be a "small city"!
- Consider God to be a "western" God.
- That many of the songs in the Chinese hymnal are the same ones we sing back home.
- That it could be tricky to maneuver through cultural differences.
- That cultural differences could be such a fine teacher.
- That I could survive 5 years in a foreign country.
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