Thursday, August 28th, 2008Peeing in a Dixie Cup Yesterday we went to the hospital for health checks. One of the visa requirements for teachers is that we get health checks soon after we arrive in Korea. The hospital seemed very clean and efficient and a lot faster than the hospitals I've been to in the States.
However, some of their equipment was a little different from what we're used to. For example, whenever I've had to give urine samples in the US, they have you collect the sample in a special cup. I've always thought that cup was too large and felt a lot of pressure to fill it. Here, they gave us Dixie cups and little suction tubes and indicated that we were responsible for producing the sample
and suctioning it out of the paper cup and into the suction tube. The most awkward part was carrying the pee-filled tube from the bathroom, through the waiting room lobby, to the nurses at the main desk.
Most of the other tests were pretty routine, or would have been had we been able to communicate with the nurses. They measured our weights and heights and checked our vision, hearing, and blood pressure. I can't be sure (because I don't speak Korean) but I think I was being commended on my low blood pressure.
We also had to take a test for color-blindness. As I was reading the dot numbers, I thought about how devastating it would be to find out you were color blind in another country. I don't know how the nurses would break that information to you. "ah...oh...oohh..." Either way, I'm glad I passed.
The final one we had to do was a blood test. Given that blood tests are almost always painful, even when the nurses can whisper encouragements in English, I was extremely frightened. As I was trembling and whining, the nurses were laughing at me. They must think Americans are babies. When they took blood, I honestly didn't feel it. They found the vein the first time and took the blood quickly and painlessly. No wonder they thought it was hilarious that we were worried. They have never experienced a blood test at the Toccoa Clinic.
We were definitely impressed with the professionalism and expedience of those nurses.
Sounds like a good experience there. Maybe American hospitals need to take a look at how they do things over there.
I am going to Perry on sunday with Margaret and Andy White for the dedication of the church the mission team worked at last year. There are others going Tim & Cristina are going down saturday night.
Nicki I need to know when that package arrives, I do not want to send another one until I know that got to you okay>
we love you both and miss you
Mom & Dad
because my blood is so hard to get. Uncle Joe & I are just hanging out
because its raining here tonight and we can't go out motorcycle riding.
We baked some cookies and were just gonna sit here and feed our
faces and watch tv. Love xxooxx
Aunt Belle & Uncle Joe
Had fun with your Mom in Perry. We love you both.
Love,
Ms. Cristina
apartment. Is your apartment as good as it sounds?
How old are your students? Love Ya both
Aunt Belle