Part of our mission in traveling to other countries is to really experience the places we visit. So, today, instead of heading off to another tourist attraction, we decided to check in to the Australian health care system.
Somewhere between our New Zealand destinations P developed symptoms of a pinched nerve. (A bit too much bungy, perhaps?) Days later the symptoms were getting worse instead of better. So, the order of today became clear: see a doctor.
The reception staff at our hotel was most helpful in booking an appointment at the local medical clinic and scoring a taxi for us on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. (Seems most Aussies do their holiday shopping on the 24th!)
After a brief wait at the clinic, we were greeted by a friendly chap who called himself Peter and escorted us to an exam room. Turns out that Peter is a very understanding and seemingly talented physican who -- in a matter of moments -- diagnosed that the situation was indeed a pinched nerve. The most likely cause: too much time hunched over a financial planning desk. Curses! From thousands of miles away, work gets in the way of vacation.
Our good Aussie doctor prescribed some pain relieving drugs, a hot pack and some follow-up instructions for when we get home. The patient is resting much more comfortably now. A couple more days in paradise is just what the doctor ordered.
Cost of a day of health care (including drugs and a hot pack) in Australia: $100.
Finding pain relief on Christmas Eve: priceless.
Somewhere between our New Zealand destinations P developed symptoms of a pinched nerve. (A bit too much bungy, perhaps?) Days later the symptoms were getting worse instead of better. So, the order of today became clear: see a doctor.
The reception staff at our hotel was most helpful in booking an appointment at the local medical clinic and scoring a taxi for us on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. (Seems most Aussies do their holiday shopping on the 24th!)
After a brief wait at the clinic, we were greeted by a friendly chap who called himself Peter and escorted us to an exam room. Turns out that Peter is a very understanding and seemingly talented physican who -- in a matter of moments -- diagnosed that the situation was indeed a pinched nerve. The most likely cause: too much time hunched over a financial planning desk. Curses! From thousands of miles away, work gets in the way of vacation.
Our good Aussie doctor prescribed some pain relieving drugs, a hot pack and some follow-up instructions for when we get home. The patient is resting much more comfortably now. A couple more days in paradise is just what the doctor ordered.
Cost of a day of health care (including drugs and a hot pack) in Australia: $100.
Finding pain relief on Christmas Eve: priceless.
1 comment:
P~
We've heard that if drugs don't work a couple of glasses of good Cab will. So sorry to hear about your pinched nerve. We hope you're up and haaving fun again soon.
BTW, the pictures you've been posting are amazing! Thanks!
Hugs, R and C
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