A Short Description of My Medical Experiences as of Yesterday!

March 21th

Well, with my time in France coming to an end, as I am off to Barcelona on the 31st, let me briefly describe my (limited) medical expereinces. (Thanks for suggesting, Melissa!)

First of all, let me explain. In the area of medical questions, I call myself a "checker-outer". This means, that NO, I am not a hypochondriac, but rather, what is it and "if it looks broke, how can it be fixed?" Second, if there were a medical emergency I am covered by www.medjet.com This would take back to the US if needed, etc. It is a terrific coverage and worth it even for travel within the US.

I had been in Nice several weeks and finally decided to check out something on my leg, which  I had first seen it in Burgundy. It seemed like an infection which didn't change. I had tried bandages and hydrogen peroxide with no change. In Nice they have an emergency number for English speakers (this is what I called when Joan visited), and Tourist Information has a list of English-speaking doctors to call. So I called and made an appointment for that afternoon at 5 along with bus directions on how to get there. The very young woman doctor gave me some bandages, but thought it could have something to do with my varicose veins (all the walking?), so she made an appointment with a specialist (cost could be 100 euros!) (I wondered if their medical system was similar to the realtor system whereby she would get a referral fee for sending me to this other specialist?) She was alone in the office; it felt like a shared office. Her English was mediocre, although I had gotten her info from the TI list. Luckily it eventually went away....Cost about 30 euro.

In the US we are advised to get our teeth cleaned twice a year (the dental lobby?), whereas in France it is an annual cleaning. I was coming to six months in France, and so time for a cleaning....No one that I talked with (except Tim who praised his Parisian dentist) was too positive about their dental experience. I asked my Couch surfing friend Regine about her dentist. She was kind enough to not just make my appointment, but she also offered to take me from the bus stop to the office. The woman dentist was in her 50's, and very pleasant. Basically she used an industrial water pic and hand pic to do the job. She didn't floss, but then I am not sure that flossing is a big thing here anyhow. Cost about 35euros. Adequate results and mission accomplished, in a manner of speaking!  I was lucky to get the appointment on such short notice! There had been a cancellation while Regine was on the phone. Regine asked about twice a year cleanings while we were there, which the dentist said was only necessary for certain people. There was another dentist there, so there were two offices and someone on the desk answering phones. In each case the doctor or dentist took the cash and made change from their wallets.

Several weeks ago I saw Geraldine Cazeilles, Pedicure.Podologue. She did an excellent job with my different nails for 32 euro. She went to school for three years, but cannot do any surgery. I was very impressed by her thoroughness!

Yesterday I saw a doctor in Port Vendres, as I have been coughing-seriously hacking for over a week. My new friend Sally, whom I met through Joanna of Nice, made an appointment for me with her doctor's doctor husband.( I would usually prefer a woman doctor, but wanted to see someone sooner than later.) They are here fairly recently from Spain, and he told me that his English is better than his French, which  was very good. He was very thorough. He noticed my eyes (asked if one iris was a different size?); he took my blood pressure, checked ears, mouth, etc.. He suggested I try to talk from my diaphragm (like a singer, which he is), etc. He offered some prescriptions, but was clearly not especially in favor, but I didn't want anyhow. I probably spent thirty minutes with him for 23euro or $31.75!! He had a small cluttered office which was shared (at least with his wife).He was dressed in jeans and boat shoes over a while jacket.

Hopefully that will be the end of my medical experiences in Europe, but as I had heard, the medical system in France is EXCELLENT!