Thursday, January 14, 2010

Day Twenty-Four

Mom woke up fever-free and feeling alright. Looks like the Tylenol PM worked well. At the clinic, mom had a vaccine shot and a protein drip. Here is a photo at the clinic today of just about everyone (lt to rt:  Mom, Nurse Moon, Debbie, Jeff, Mi-Yan, Dawn, Jackie, Tom, Yu-Jin.  back row. Dos, Dave, Bryan). We're missing Joe, his wife Erika, Mr. Won and the elusive Dr. Moon.



The Moon Crew Dec09/Jan10.


Well, we got all the way down to KCCH this afternoon only to find out that the radiation machine was still not working. A waste of a 70,000 won taxi trip and 2.5 hours. Oh well. It's better than getting radiated by an ill-tempered piece of equipment.

The health system seems so strange here. There is health insurance but you have to have a family member wheel you around on your gurney... and stay with you in your room because they won't admit you without help. If you want to shower, you have to bring your own soap and towels. If you want to walk around in the hospital lobby... no problem, just be sure you don't let strangers step on your IV tube. I watched a woman pushing someone in a wheelchair right over the foot of someone with a medical boot on that foot. He yelled and yelled at that woman. This was inside of an elevator. And when you are brought pills by the nurse, they won't bring you water or anything to swallow them with. So, be sure you bring your own water.

In the States, hospitals charge a fortune so we expect more. We expect more so the hospitals charge a fortune. It's a never-ending cycle. As far as I'm concerned, no one has this health care business right. No one.

I can hardly believe I'm leaving in just two days.  When mom's pal takes over, she'll email me from time-to-time, which I will post updates here.  And, of course, any news on how this treatment is working.
 
TTFN!