May 10, 2011

Unfortunately, being in paradise doesn’t mean you never get sick. Apparently, the germs down here don’t die and they love new people to attack since you aren’t immune to anything yet. So this week was my turn. Fortunately, we have avoided major bugs since getting here, but one finally got me. On Saturday, I headed off to the “Doc in a Box” place in our neighborhood, which was another Panamanian experience. Only had to wait for about 5 minutes to see a doctor and during that time met another new friend in the waiting room. And luckily this new friend was bilingual! The doctor, as sweet and nice as she could be, knew very little English. So after finding out I had a bad case of bronchitis, my new friend came in and translated for the doctor and I. Walked out with a fist full of prescriptions and a doctor bill for $12.75! Some things in Panama cost more than in the states, but medical care doesn’t appear to be. Went to pharmacy next door and with my game of charades (since they didn’t speak English), got my prescriptions filled . Wayne and I also this week went to a dermatologist for our annual skin cancer check. What an experience that was. He brought us into his office, chatted with us, personally asked us all the questions you normally have to fill out on a form prior to seeing the doctor, checked us out, then talked with us again, all without running out to see another patient or two. I have been told that the doctor experience down here is totally different from the states. Even, that many doctors give you their cell numbers so you can call them personally if you need to. The last few days have proven that to be true. His English was perfect and his bedside manner was even more so. He is considered one of the top dermatologists in Panama and still had time for us. Now, if we had to have gone to the government Social Security doctors, the stories would have been quite different and likely we would still be waiting to see a doctor.
Climate changes are here too. Neighbors have mentioned that it is the hottest it has ever been. We have not complained about the weather ever here, until now.