Tag Archives: medical

Juggling Act

I am not very good at Juggling.  This week, Owen is back in the UK and I am trying to juggle being a mum full time and work full time.  It just doesn’t work and I am failing at both.

In the continuing on-going saga of the medical coverage here, Owen has had to return to the UK at very short notice to meet with his UK Doctors.  We have International Medical insurance for our time in China and are also registered with an International Medical facility here.  At first glance, this is state of the art, with modern equipment, English speaking Doctors and staff, clean facilities and very professional looking surroundings.  However, it is almost impossible to get a straight answer and the answer can change from week to week.  Consequently, information we were given on our look/see visit in December has proven to be false and has left Owen unable to get some of the medication that he takes to alleviate the back pain he continually suffers with.  So, it is back to the UK for Owen this week.  I hope he comes back……..

Meanwhile, I am juggling school bus stop drop off, pick up, dinner, laundry, homework, remembering and planning for all the different school activities, commuting, meetings, deadlines, projects and conference calls.  For only 4 days. 

Luckily, the Ex-pat community really do support one another.  My meeting ran late yesterday and I was cutting it fine to get back in time for the school bus drop off.  1 quick text and my mind was put at rest with an immediate offer to collect them and keep them until I got there (I was 5 minutes late!)

This week I feel like a total failure at everything.  I really don’t know how single mothers cope – to my mind it is impossible to do it all.  I am so grateful for such a supportive husband who takes care of so much that I often take for granted.  Never again!!!!!!!

 

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A Medical Procedure in China

This week, Owen was in a Chinese hospital to have a back procedure operation which meant an overnight stay for him.  He came back with quite the story and I am quite sure that he will not be having any more procedures in China (instead, he will travel to Hong Kong, which is where most of the Westerners go to have scheduled operations and procedures).

Going through International private medical insurance meant that he had a private room which included dinner and breakfast.  Dinner was a pizza!  Served in the box from where it was ordered.

After a very sleepless night on a mattress that was 2″ thick, Owen was asked what he wanted for breakfast.  This was the first time that anyone had checked on him in 13 hours, after a general anaesthetic.  He requested coffee, orange juice and toast.  This is what was served:

Breakfast in Chinese hospital

Breakfast in Chinese hospital

Owen was also a little frightened in the operating room as everyone was speaking Chinese around him and he was actually awake for most of the procedure.  He believes that the whole procedure could have been done in his Doctor’s office and was an exercise in maximizing insurance payout.

He told me that his hospital room did not look or feel clean, the windows were wide open with no bug screens on them and a building site right next door with all the construction dust and fumes coming in.  All in all, not at all comparable to the British or American health coverage and care that we all take for granted.