First trip to "el doctor"

Little P’s first trip to ‘el doctor’…

Just wanted to quickly blog about our successful morning.  Little P (Parlyn) was in need of her vaccinations to stay on schedule with what we started in the States.  So, the PA that works on our staff was sweet enough to escort P and I there.  I was worried that my 150 word Spanish vocabulary wouldn’t cut it when I tried to communicate that my child needed a well-child checkup and vaccinations. 

Lil P, Pretty P

Not at all intimidating.  We walk into a “nicer” hospital where the pediatric office is on the third floor.  The building reminds me of an old high school.  There are people everywhere.  They are lined up along the halls waiting… for the secretary that sits in a classroom desk outside of the ”office”.  So we walk down this very long, very narrow hall dodging people.  We walk up 3 flights of stairs and find the “waiting room” which is the waiting area for the Obstetric, ENT, Pediatrician, and Cardiologist office.  We were there early and there was only one other customer for the Peds office there as well, whom informed us that they “were there first!”  It is a first come first serve so you can imagine the tension that can break out with that type of system. 

30 minutes rolls by and the secretary finally gets to the office.  She does some things at the simple desk in front of the door that reads, “Dr. Juan Rosario”.  I am excited, we may get in before Lil P starts having melt downs because we are now cutting into nap time.  Patiently waiting, Dr. Rosario shows up maybe 25 minutes after that.  We luckily got our name on the list first because the other person left for a walk while the secretary opened up her notebook to write names in (yes, the kind of notebook that our kids use for school).  I was hoping the lady that informed us she was there first wouldn’t see us go in first.

Lil P enjoying a beater full of icing!

Finally we are called in. We walk into a single room big enough for a single bed and 2 dressers.   Lauren (our friend and P.A. for Makarios)  informed the doc that I don’t speak much Spanish and I hear the wonderful words, “I speak English”.   I am relieved.  We discuss what vaccines are needed and he checks P out.  Now get this all you moms… the doctor gave the vaccines! All went well during our visit and I am comfortable going back. 

Time to check out.  The doc writes out a receipt and I take it to the secretary.  I realize that vaccines are not cheap (unknown to me since we always had insurance!).  I don’t have the pesos to pay.  “Do you take credit card?” we ask.  No is the (obvious) answer.  So I ask for the ATM.  I am pointed downstairs.  My friend waits with P there.  I go to what I thought is an ATM machine and it turns out to be a machine to buy phone cards, I think.  So I find a receptionist and ask where I can get money out.  I am pointed outside.  I find an ATM, it’s broken.  Now what? In my broken Spanish, I ask where else I can get money.  They point down the road and then the other way.  They said it in (fast) Spanish and I just shake my head like I understand.  It’s about 90 out (or so it feels) and I walk in pursuit of money.  I walked far enough that when I looked to my right, I see familiarity.  I saw the Bank that we normally go to! Thank you Jesus! I get money and head back to the hospital on foot.  I finally can go pay, a bit sweaty though.

Who said we couldn't all fit?

THANKFUL for today.  Thankful that this dreaded morning wasn’t too bad.  I was dreading this part of our life…visiting a doctor in a third world culture.  Silly of me, because God always provides. It may seem small to you, but trying to live life as normal as possible here…THIS is a victory and a great encouragement.  Hope you all have a wonderful Easter celebrating our risen King.