The Day

I have to have my gall bladder taken out. I have been back and forth to numerous doctors about this and have decided on a doctor and a hospital.

I went to speak with Dr. Li, the specialist, this morning and after about an hour of talking (the other patients only took about 15 minutes) we decided that Monday would be the day. The thing is I can't just go to the hospital for the operation then stay there for a few days for recovery. I have to go in a few days before for some tests and stay at the hospital for two nights. But before I do that I have to go to the hospital and register the day before and give them my personal items. So here is my schedule for the next week.

Wednesday: Work then go to the hospital to register
Thursday: Go to the hospital again for tests and stay the night
Friday: Have more tests and stay the night
Saturday: Work
Sunday: Work
Monday: Have surgery
Tuesday: Recover
Wednesday: Recover
Thursday: Hopefully at home for Christmas

This all wouldn't be quite so bad except that the hospital has no showers. They also don't have food. And the toilets are squatters. I would think that they wouldn't want people who just had surgery to squat. Hopefully they won't make me use a bed pan! Yuck!

The school has also lined up Chinese teachers to take care of my while I'm recovering. I told Tommy, my manager, that I didn't want that and it isn't necessary. I would feel so uncomfortable having all these people I work with taking care of me. Howie is taking his yearly vacation time to take care of me so I really don't think it's necessary for the others to come.

I was told that the cost of the operation would be about 10,000 RMB. That was when they thought I was a student. The girl I went with today told them I was a teacher and the price magically went up to 25,000 RMB. I was crushed when I heard that. I don't have 10,000 much less 25,000!!! Grrr... When the school found out how much it was going to cost, Michael, the owner of the school, called his friend who works there. He told his friend to take good care of me and lower the cost! Having "guanxi" (connections) definately helps!

I also have pictures of Howie if anyone wants to see them.