Thursday May 15, 2008

So Thursday is here and where do I begin? The construction next door is still going strong so several times this week I have sought refuge at George's during the day just so I can hear myself think. Earlier this week I got bad news from the pharmacist regarding my insulin. Apparently they have my medication here but not in the form that I need it. So I was forced into finding a doctor sooner than I had expected. I was already looking into it but it wasn't a priority. I contacted Pantai Medical center, one of the major hospitals in our area here in Bangsar and it had already come highly recommended not only from friends that we've made here but also from my Yahoo Answers community which I frequently consult regarding questions on Malaysia. My pharmacist had originally recommended a general practitioner but I decided to go with an endocrinologist since I'm diabetic. There were only 2 listed so at first I went with the one whose name I could pronounce: Dr. Khabul Abdul Khadir, there wasn't much background information available but because it was an emergency to me I made an appointment. The earliest was on the 26th because the doctor was on leave until then, so I cancelled it and went with option 2 Dr. Nadaraja or is it Nadaraya? I forget. His office could get me in today so that worked for me.

When I got up this morning I was not in a good mood...at all. I was already cussing people out in my head preparing myself for the worst that my appointment could go. Would they be able to understand me? Would I be able to understand them? Would the paper work be complicated? Would I get the results that I wanted and if not what would be the next step? Would I be able to get a taxi there and what about my return trip home? So many questions going through my head so the only thing I could do was put on my happy face and find out. Getting a taxi wasn't all that difficult, I think because it was early morning so any fare at that time the drivers would accept. When I got to the hospital, the layout was confusing so I asked the info desk where the doctor's office was and they were very helpful. As I was walking down the halls I don't know why I thought it but they resembled something out of a bad horror film. Very undecorated, not necessarily sterile smelling just outdated although they did have a Starbucks, which everyone knows I boycott. But really no fanfare welcoming you, making you get into a good mood before you see your doctor. The waiting room was filled with people but quiet nonetheless which I welcomed considering the construction zone my house seems to be in. I filled out a simple form asking for my name and address and emergency contact and liable party...ok so far so good. Shortly afterwards I woman called my name and wanted to take my weight and height information which she did in the waiting room, with all of the other waiting patients observing- so much for confidentiality. Then I waited another short while, I did arrive early only because I did not know what to expect. My name was called and I was escorted into the doctor's office, literally his office because the only things present in the room was his desk, a couple of chairs and an exam room. Yes, the exam room is the same room as the office, not multiple exam rooms where the doctor makes his rounds, when it's your turn you are the only patient being seen, which I thought was attentive. We spoke a while about my medical background and the medications I take etc. He is going to try and order my insulin from Singapore or Bangkok, he also admitted that I would be his first patient using the insulin pump and only recently has he been contacted by the manufacturer of my insulin pump so really it's still all new to him. GREAT!! Still, my mood is maintaining.

He asks if he could examine me and of course I say Ok. The receptionist enters the room then and she instructs me to remove my shirt and bra, that's it. I thought this was odd because my last doctor in the States has never examined me to the point where I had to remove clothing, that was always with my ob/gyn. So he checks my blood pressure, glands, breasts, pulse, reflexes, and then tells me that he detects a lump by my thyroid gland but nothing to be alarmed about. It was a very thorough exam, I mean thorough to the point that if there wasn't a lady present I could have sworn I was just felt up by my doctor minus the pelvic exam. I get dressed and sit back at his desk where he writes me prescriptions for the medications I currently take plus a supplement he recommends. He then says that he is ordering an ultrasound on my thyroid. I jokingly say I thought there wasn't any cause for alarm and he says he wants to make sure that there isn't anything wrong. GREAT!!! So after paying 280 RM, getting felt up, a few prescriptions and still no insulin that I need my mood has soured. My ultrasound is on Tuesday along with some blood tests so you'll have to tune in to find out the results...who needs General Hospital when my life is starting to resemble a soap opera minus the cheating husband and illegitimate children...unless Jim is cheating and fathered some kids I don't know about...Hmmm?

But the week hasn't all been bad. The other night of course I was at George's I spoke with my sister-in-law to wish her a Happy B-day and since it was slow the bar closed early. My friends Mon and Sim invited me to go out with them and of course since I knew Jim would be sleeping by then I accepted. We drove down to Bangsar Village because they wanted me to have Malaysian food and to smoke shisha ( pronounced shee sha ). Shisha is the hookah that I've photographed before where it's flavored like strawberry, tutty fruitty, grape, etc. So finally I get the chance to eat at a hawker stall and mix with the locals. Sim who has lived in Australia ordered for me Nasi Goreng Ayam which translates to fried rice with chicken. Our other friend Alex joined us and I really had a good time. So much that I didn't notice the time. We were just talking and laughing about the differences between Malaysia and the States, it was probably the most fun I've had since we got here. Later on Alex gave me a ride home on his scooter, I got to finally ride a scooter! and I kept warning him that he had to be careful otherwise Jim would kill hm and he just laughed and made me wear a helmet. When we got to my house immediately the neighborhood patrol pulled up behind us like we were criminals. I told the guard that I lived there and showed him my keys and everything was ok. The guard then proceeded to question me whether or not me and Jim had joined the neighborhood watch program which consists of us paying 50 RM p/month, of course Alex took off right away. He's not a bad person, he seems like a good Muslim kid, he doesn't drink or smoke ( other than Shisha ) and has a girlfriend, but I think the guard made him nervous other than the fact that he was dropping off a married American woman at 4:30 in the morning. Yes I stayed out much later than my normal curfew, what else is new? Just because I'm in another country doesn't mean I have to change everything about myself, I wouldn't be me if I did.

So I'll let you all know later on next week how my tests went, hopefully it's just a cyst that can be treated or drained. In the meantime, keep us both in your prayers. See you!!