I am determined to experience every aspect of the Belgium world over here. The food, the people, the postal system, the garbage system, the eco-friendly system of doing everything, the public transport and, of course, the health system.
I haven't been feeling well for quite some time and it got worse last Thursday. Nothing too serious, just severe pain through my abdomen and stuff. So, after it getting really bad, I decided to go to the doctor. I "scheduled" it online and prepared to go through whatever they do in offices here in Belgium.
I went into the building and was filled with a little dread as I saw the two doors that led into the examination rooms. I'm not a fan of hospitals in general, but I usually survive. But as I sat there and contemplated my impending doom all I could think of were experiments, lime green surgical rooms and dutch speaking doctors. My thoughts were interrupted by the receptionist telling me that I didn't have an appointment. I told him I didn't know what I was doing because the entire website was in Dutch. He laughed and agreed that they should fix that. Eventually a young doctor came to the door and ushered me in. Thankfully there was a nurse with him and they both seemed nice enough (thoughts of experiments slowly disappearing) so I opened up and relayed all my woes. Both of them examined me, half in english and half in dutch. As the doctor was examining my stomach I told him "Every time you touch me, I want to throw up." He knew how I meant it but he immediately jumped back and had a hurt expression on his face, like I had insulted him. Because I was feeling so sick I immediately felt awful and tried to explain what I meant. He smiled, pleased at himself for his little joke. Great, now I have a doctor who thinks he is a comedian!
After the million questions, examination and whispers of dutch, the doctor looked at me, smiled and said 'The good thing is, you aren't going to die anytime soon." Jubilation. Was I worried about dying!?! NO! Anyway, he said it was probably mono (he said it with an accent so it took five minutes for me to figure out what in the world he was saying....finally got it when he said "kissing disease") and put me on pain medicine. He threw in a couple more jokes and sent me on my way.
Two days later I ended up going to another doctor (on the insistence of my french professor, we are very close) and he was from South America. More cultural differences. He was like "What is your name? Krissssy? Crazzzzy? Crazzzy Krissssy?" Great, another comedian. His conclusion: "You have no dad here, no friends from home, everything is brand new. Your body is adjusting." Well, it was better than a really awful diagnosis but I was just surprised because I haven't been stressed. I miss home, yes, but I'm having a great time here and quite enjoying myself. Apparently my body is taking all these new things differently. But, as my South American doctor kept saying "No worries, no worries, you fine."
Thankfully the health care is very good. The doctors are good (and apparently think it is there job to make you laugh) and the cost is very low. Without insurance, I ended up paying around twenty Euros (30 dollars) for my appointment. And the medicine was also very cheap. If I'm to get sick, I'm glad it was in a place with good health care!
Being sick does have its perks, I must confess. Besides feeling like death, getting dizzy and smacking your head first thing in the morning, there are some positives. You really get to see how much people care for you. My co-workers at my internship have been wonderful to me. Asking me how I am, if I needed someone to take me home, if I needed anything at all, they were there. Friends at school were constantly asking how I was doing (because I can never hide any feeling. I'm slightly dramatic also....so if I am sick, I don't keep it a secret, though I don't go along griping, I'm just honest), my professor taking me to the doctor, my host family giving me some strange potion and my roommate staying in on a Friday night with me. She brought home snacks and encouraged me as I had to drink the worse concoction from the doctor. Another friend came over and we watched a movie.
Yes, it stinks getting sick but God is so good, regardless. I did feel like it was going to be something bad but reading my bible is a comfort. As I opened my bible earlier this week, a verse stuck out because I had highlighted it years ago in red pencil."And He said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Now if you will excuse me, I must go drink a jelloy, mandarin tasting concoction. Cheers :)
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