Are you a doctor???

A doctor without sympathy and compassion is not a doctor.

It makes a lot of difference to have a doctor that has compassion for what you are going through, be it small or big. Unfortunately, in this 'developing' country, some doctors think they are managing a mass production factory.

Sadly, I had to see Dr. Nhu again and she just had to ruin my day.

There has been a number of new young doctors at the IVF department at An Sinh Hospital. As usual, I gave my patient card to the nurse in Room 1 and was asked to wait outside. It was packed today. When my name was called, I was surprise to enter into the small room where 4 other ladies were waiting for their turn to get ultrasound. There were only 2 chairs. One lady was on the bed with Dr Nhu sticking the ultrasound in her vagina while 3 other ladies already in the hospital 'skirt' waiting. I was wearing a dress, so I just stood there waiting.

My thoughts were... Why can't you just finish with one patient and call in the next? Well, if you wanted to save some time, you can call in two.. not four!! You only have 2 chairs in the room! And the women have to change in front of each other! You can see their panties and pants hanging on the wall. Apparently, they just don't have the word 'privacy' in their vocabulary. The last time this happened, I saw someone else's vagina.

Dr. Nhu does the ultrasound and tells the other young doctor what to write. When she finishes with one patient, she calls out 'Next!'... I never liked this doctor from the first time I had to see her. I don't see her every visit since they have their rotations, but when I do, she is always so cold and expression-less.

I had to remove my underwear in front of a lady. I lie down and Dr. Nhu asked me what's my name coldly although I think she would have known me already by now. Then the awkwardness of something poked into my vagina. Goodness! She didn't use the cold gel as they normally do. It felt dry and painful because she did it so fast! I frowned and the pain showed on my face and all she could say is 'Please put your hips down!' twice. Where is your compassion, doctor! Do you have to be that rough? She had the ultrasound stick in me for 3 seconds and she removed it as quickly and said 'finish'! What the hell... I wonder what could she see in that 3 seconds.

I was asked to wait outside for my prescription. I waited for a long time. I was called into the room again and she just said my endometrium was still thin and I will have to take the same pills at a higher dosage.

Although it was only a short encounter with her, she ruined my day with her cold and rough attitude as a doctor. I felt so tired after the visit. I mean comeon.. as a doctor,  have some compassion for your patients! This is not like we're going through the usual cough or flu. These are women spending a lot of time, effort and money to get pregnant in a PRIVATE hospital.

I can't help it but shed tears when hubby ask how my visit went. My hormones were talking as I think I would normally be able to control my tears over things like this. This is not the first time I felt this way if you have been following my blog. Hubby thinks she doesn't deserve to become a doctor. Well, he's just saying that to comfort me.

Having a other half as a local doctor, I do understand why some doctors in this country cannot spend too much time with each patient. Doctors working in the public hospitals have to see maybe 200 patients a day and get paid about VND3 mil a month. That's only USD150! A doctor! Yes! Amazingly, this country pays their doctors and teachers peanuts. Of course with that kinda salary, they will of course have to work extras at private clinics after official hours at the hospital. Some have clinics at their own home from 5-9pm.

Even with a salary disadvantage, many yearns for their children to become doctors as it is honorable profession. I would to. But if you cannot sympathise with people, becoming a doctor would be such a pain.

Having compassion and being gentle is what made me attracted to my other half in the first place. And until now, my hubby's heart grows bigger and bigger each time he sees a need (not want) for his patients. Being a cosmetic surgeon, many come to him to have their looks changed, eventhough some are already beautiful. He learnt to say 'no' to unreasonable requests and gives honest consultations.

A handsome young man came to him wanting to change his look because he believed that his destiny and career development depended on it. A poor young woman wishes to alter her looks because she wasn't married. Hubby learnt to show them the beauty they already have and spending money on cosmetic surgeries when you are poor can make you poorer.

If you are a doctor, have compassion your patients. Not because they pay you but a doctor that has compassion makes a difference.

Acupunture

I started going for acupunture a month ago in my attemp to improve my skin and also to complement my IVF treatment. The acupunture needles are very fine compared with those I had to use for IVF. So the slight discomfort of acupunture needles being poked into my skin is bearable.

My skin has been improving (so i think) with a combination of acupunture, essential oils, pure aloe vera (blended myself) and dermalogica facials.

I have been visiting the acupunturist once a week. Since I started Progynova again, I plan to visit her once every 5 days. I have read that acupunture can help thicken the endometrium (womb lining) effectively. I had to take Progynova estrogen pills for 25 days during my last IVF cycle before they can perform the embryo transfer. I hope this round it will be faster. These hormone pills makes me gain weight...

One side effect of acupunture... But of cos it will go away in a few days...

Back on Progynova 2mg

My endometrium wasn't looking too pretty last month so the doctor asked to wait for another month before trying again.

Was at the doctors yesterday and thank God my endometrium is all normal now so we can continue with the treatment...

Am back on Progynova 2mg pills (hormones again) 4 times a day. Will be back for ultrasound again after 5 days. This will probably go on for 3 weeks with increased dosage...

Progynova is suppose to make my endometrium (womb lining) thick. Hopefully my body will respond well and my endometrium will become thick enough quickly to receive the embryos. I had to take these hormone pills for 25 days during my last cycle. Some people have shorter days, some longer... nothing is standard.

The thing about taking pills 4 times a day is, it is easy to forget!! I was just typing this and realise I haven't taken any since yesterday! Got to set alarms now.

Rock Climbing in Vietnam

We finally visited the Sports Center's climbing walls after a few weeks of talking about it. My climbing shoes and harness finally made it out of the boxes!

The X Rock Climbing has 2 climbing sites here in town. However, the one near our home in District 2 doesn't open in the weekdays and will be closed for the rest of the month because the operators are going to competing in the SEA Games.

After 4 years of no climb, my arms were shaking after two climbs. Irene did really well for a first time climber!

International Church in Vietnam

Are you looking for an English service in Ho Chi Minh City?

This is the only legalised international english service in town!




And Christmas is around the corner!

What's so great about Vietnam?

When I first decided to come to Vietnam to work few years ago....
'Vietnam... ReALLY??'
'Are you sure???'
'Are you going to be okay there by yourself??'
'Make sure you drink bottled water!'
'Don't eat food by the streets!'

Dear all, Vietnam is NOT a third world country as many may assume. Of course it is also not a developed country, but I guess it is developing. The tallest building is 68 stories high and it's actually fascinating to see it from afar. Check out Bitexco Financial Tower.

What's so great about Vietnam? Here's a list of good things that gives us comfort here:
(to be fair the sequence does not represent anything)
1. Convenient and cheap taxis. Call anytime and they come right away. There's also Xe-oms (motorbike taxis) if you want a cheaper ride.
2. Hot stone massages for as low as VND70,000 (USD3.5). (Of course you tip them if it is this cheap)
3. Cable TV will all channels for less than VND100,000 (USD5) a month (unlike Astro in Msia where we have to pay a bomb for all channels)
4. Free deliveries. Buy above VND200,000 (USD10) and they send your groceries to your doorstep. Food deliveries are everywhere. They send bottled water right to your house too.
5. You don't have to line up to pay your utility bills. They come to your doorstep each month for electricity, water, garbage, cable..
6. Manicures & pedicures, get them for as low VND25,000 (USD1-2).
7. Wifi connection is everywhere. Sit at any cafes and you will get fast wifi connections for free.
8. Dental charges are much cheaper than elsewhere. Get a crown done for as low as VND2 mil (USD100).
9. International food. You can find most kind of food in Saigon... Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Italian, Western, Malaysian, Singaporean, Thai,... you name it.
10. Need to get something but not sure where? Post it up on 'AnPhuNeighbours' google group, a forum set up by a kind expat for the neighbourhood to share experiences.

Okay, that's the top 10 that I can think of at the moment. Of course each country has its own 'not so good' points and I believe it is often easier to list the bad points. But let's thank God for what we have. It is with God's provisions and protection that we are where we are today.