navigating the medical world

I've spent most of my adult life overseas.  And while in most cases I quickly and easily "fit right back in" to life in America, there are always a few things that leave me feeling like I'm a day late and a dollar short.  Or at least like I'm the only clueless one in a room full of people that already know the answer to the question. 

This past month the main thing that's left me feeling like a fish out of water is navigating the medical world.  All five of my children are due for some immunizations so I called a recommended pediatrician.  The receptionist all but laughed at me when I asked if they had anything available in December.  I didn't even get to mention that I didn't need ONE appointment, I needed FIVE, and they were all NEW PATIENTS! 

Turns out I should have scheduled them last summer.  Oh well.  We're getting them done at the Public Health Center.  They were able to get me five back-to-back appointments in a jiffy. 

Then I needed to get Luke seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist.  His first available appointment is in March, and I need a referral from his Primary Care Doc (he doesn't have one, but he does have a pediatric gastro doc in Bangkok, does that count?).  My uncle (a family physician) stepped in and with a pile of emailed records from the Bangkok hospital and a little wiggling we got Luke in for January 20th.

Even simple questions (what's your phone number?) get fishy.  Do you want the number where I am living now?  Or the one where I'll be living later?  What if I just give you a number for my mother-in-law, she'll be able to find me? 

[I planned (and still plan) to get cellular service for my phone here but this is one of those things that Matt usually handles and here I am on week three, still no cellular coverage for my phone :)  I did go to Verizon but my phone is not compatible and "no thanks I'm not interested in a 99 cent phone with a two year contract" and "Yes, several people have recommended Wal-mart pre paid plans but have you ever taken five children to Wal-mart and if I meet you there could you keep an eye on them while I figure out what to do about my phone?"   My phone works perfectly well when I can get on a wifi connection, so that's a blessing.]

But mostly this trip home its the medical world stuff that leaves me spinning.  I did get appointments for all five to get immunizations (tomorrow, Wednesday) but now John Paul has his ear tubes surgery this Friday so I can't risk a fever and I'll be postponing his shots til *hopefully* next week.   Luke is, I think, settled for now.  I tried weaning him off his reflux medication and it did not go well.  It went the opposite of well.  So I quickly put him right back on at the full dosage and now hoping to get some answers in January.  I think our next steps are a upper GI endoscopy and/or a full elimination diet. 

John Paul too, I think most of the medical world mess is behind us.  He gets his ear tubes Friday.  I have his initial speech evaluation set and the right documents faxed and the insurance approval should be on the way and, well, wasn't that easy?!?  Ha!  It only took about ten phone calls, maybe twenty.  And emails.  And a fax (thanks mom).  yeesh. 

So while I'm thankful to be here in this land full of a ga-zillion highly trained doctors (who are all booked up til mid-spring, in case you are wondering) and I'm hopeful for the results of some of our visits, right now I'm exhausted from just chasing paper and people and info, trying to figure out what I need and getting it to the right spot.