Medical Check Ups -- China Style

 I knew our medical check up would be extraordinarily different from what I could ever imagine, and recognizing that, I thought I was prepared for anything.

I was wrong.

Very wrong.  I could have never dreamed up what was.

We had to drive 45 minutes to the medical center for foreigners.  Yet we were the only foreigners.  Stella explained that it was also for international travelers. For such limited traveling allowed, it was sure packed. Tom asked a couple of people where they were traveling to and they said they weren't traveling.  So we don't know why there was such a crowd.  In the back of my heart, I was slightly hoping that since it was for foreigners that it might feel less foreign.  Wishful thinking. Note to self:  don't ever ever hope for things to not be foreign.

We first registered.  It only took about 15 minutes.  For us, that is lickety split.  We got print outs with the work we needed done:

"Blood taking, x-ray, urine sample, medicine, surgery, ENT, color vision and vision, general examination, ECG, Ultra Sound"  All on the 3rd floor.  How convenient.

Blood test was first.  Here in China, nurses wear skirts and nurse caps.  I wished that was the only difference.  HIPAA laws clearly are not a thing here.  That would have been nice if that was the only other difference.

We waited in a long line and as we got closer I wished that was the end of the differences.  But no.  No gloves on the nurses. No disinfecting in between. I said a silent prayer to stay safe and went for my turn. 

Next up:  the x-ray.  It was a chest x-ray and I was a little concerned I would have to take things off, but thankfully that was not the case. I got an x-ray apron wrapped around my waist and was signaled to put my hands on my hips and lean into the machine.  Not too bad if you don't think about everyone else who also leaned on the machine without it being wiped down.

After the x-ray, I saw a sign that made me chuckle. 

When you're ready for your C-section, go down this hallway.  There was also a hallway for a D-section; so this was just a funny thing for English speakers.  Then I saw a sign that said no pictures and so that ends the picture portion of this experience.  You're probably thankful because this is already a TMI post....

 

Next off to the urine sample.  We had to be fasting so I wasn't sure how successful I would be....  I was given a small clear cup with my bar code stuck on it,  (about 1/3 of the size of a small 3oz Dixie bathroom cup) and ushered into the restroom and found myself face to face with my first squatter toilet. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! I didn't have my Stand-n-Pee with me so things were tricky.  But I got lucky and with only a few slight mishaps, I went and put my cup on the rack with everyone else's open pee cups and hoped no one spilled mine because doing that one more time would be pushing it.  

Then we headed to the next room for the ECG. There was a sign that said 'female medical' and 'male medical'.  I got in the female line and Stella had WJ wait with me and Tom and Stella got in the male line.  That arrangement didn't make sense to me, but I've learned I clearly don't know anything so I went with it.  When the door opened for my turn, I went in and was quickly pushed out by a frustrated man shouting Chinese at me.  Feeling badly, Stella switched with WJ and rushed me to a different section of the building without my ECG.  I think it was probably very nice to not understand any Chinese in that moment. 

I got in a line for a nurse to listen to my insides. Then one for my blood pressure, weight, height and body mass. All without incident.  It's always a gift when I don't make a scene.

While we were waiting for the vision screening, I became worried that I wouldn't be able to do it because I don't know any Chinese characters, nor do I speak enough to say the right things to pass a vision test.  Stella typed something on her phone and showed it to me.  It said "Say the standard directions".  I wasn't sure what the standard directions were---north, south, east, west is what came to my mind.  I don't know how to say "up, down, left or right" in Chinese.  I asked Stella if I would be able to speak in English and then suddenly I was whisked into the room, given a seat and handed the paddle to cover one eye.  Thankfully they weren't Chinese characters, but E's in all different directions.  The woman pointed to one facing right and pointed to the right.  Then pointed to one that pointed left and pointed left. Etc.  Now we were on speaking terms!  I passed down to '1.5'.  Whatever that means.  Stella complimented me.  I gave the undisinfected paddle back, said the 2 numbers I saw in the color blindness test and off I went. 

Up next: ultrasound.  This was a long line and soon Tom and WJ joined back up with us. When we weren't moving forward with any speed, Stella took me back to the ECG room.  No line so I hopped on in.  I was motioned to lie down.  It was a padded, wooden table covered with a stiff, sheer fabric spread skewampusly on it---fabric kind of like the bottom of a box spring.  I am motioned to pull my shirt up and on goes 4 suction cup thingies hooked to wires.  Then large clips around my leg and my arms.  I waited only about a minute and then suction cups were yanked off, coming with them a loud sucking sound, clips were removed and I was shooed out.  It took me longer to get everything tucked back in than it took to get a reading.  I guess my heart is looking okay.

  

We headed back to the ultrasound room.  Tom and WJ were next in line and others were behind them.  I asked Stella whether I should go to the back of the line or up by Tom.  She thought for a second and told me to go up with them.  While we waited, I looked at the paper with remaining items and asked Stella about the ENT exam, shuddering to think of what that was going to be like.  I can't tell you how relieved I was she said I was already done with that.  After being confused how it could be completed, she played charades with me until I understood 'stethoscope'.  I have no idea how my lungs, heart beat and stomach rumblings could check the health of my ears nose and throat, but I was not complaining! And I have no idea what 'medicine' and 'surgery' actually were but I was mighty glad I steered clear of them.  

The ultrasound was a repeat of the ECG, except the addition of the sticky jelly that accompanies ultrasounds.  The wand surely wasn't wiped off between patients. My consolation was that Tom's germs were the most recent, so I was clear, right?  

To be honest, I was a bit in a state of shock as I finished up.  As I tried to process all that happened, I felt once again the strong words that have encouraged me my entire journey "You are not here for your comfort or good time, but for Me."  Throughout the rest of the day I had the lyrics come to my head "Fear not, I am with thee.  Oh, be not dismayed. For I am Thy God and will still give thee aid.  I'll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand."  Stories from President Nelson's books about him helping Chinese surgeons came to mind.  He said their methods were primitive, but he didn't complain, he just did his best.   As I processed the day further, my views of it changed, from one of disbelief of what I had experienced to one of compassion and of awe. In some ways the waiting in lines for each procedure is a genius way to manage the sheer number of people that live in this country and I had compassion for the lack of hygiene.  They are all just doing their best with what they know. Feelings of remorse for my negative feelings throughout the experience surfaced so that I could recognize that repentance was needed.  I need more humility.  It is an honor to be here learning all that I can and serving by smiling--which I can't do as well when I'm feeling critical about the situation.  I am thankful for being taught where I lacked so I can try to do better in future experiences. 

The other thing that buoyed me up today was the memory of running into Julie B. Beck in a slot canyon in southern Utah after the Cedar City temple.  As we talked, I told her of our impending China adventure.  She told me her niece lived over here for years, "even having babies there".  That gave me so much courage today and became what I had just thought to be a wonderful opportunity to meet Sister Beck, but also a very loving tender mercy.  Our health is okay; we'll be all right!

Philippians 4:11–13

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  

This is a great work!

Another tender mercy of the day:  the girls didn't need a check up; that would have been very hard on them.  So thankful for that.