Guest Blogger: The Man of the House!

Let me share my recent story of medical care in China.

So, I had not been feeling well for several days.  Then we went out for "hot pot," which we all love.  Mind you, I use the clear "qing" pot, not the spicy "la" pot.  But later that night my belly hurt like crazy.  I think the term "excruciating pain" would do it.  I woke up with a sharp, stabbing pain on the left side.  Of course, I thought that the next morning I'd feel better.  "No more hot pot," if you know what I mean.  Well the next day, "no more hot pot" but the pain continued for the next few days.

After a few days, I went to the "international clinic" to see a Western doctor.  There were a few bangs on the feet, moving my knees around, pressure on different parts of the abdomen, and then finally pushing on that particular painful spot.  "Ouch" is not enough to describe the sensation.  He pressed on the opposite side, which had absolutely no pain, and then suddenly released.  Pain went flying from one side of the abdomen to the other. Oh, the doctor was now certain it was diverticulitis and peritonitis.  The doctor said that if the CT scan showed no "free air" in the abdomen, then ten days of anti-biotics would work.

They sent me on a day long journey through two different Chinese hospitals to rule out the need for surgery.  I first needed a CT scan and then off for a consultation with a surgeon at the best hospital in town.  With the exception of the sheer numbers of people  who were waiting to see doctors, I would say the quality of care was comparable to medical care in the U.S.

Now to the best part.

The cost of the CT scan was $115, the surgeon consultation fee was $8, and the radiologist consultation fee was $8.  Again, let me say the quality of care was comparable to the US, the CT scanner was the same as one you would see in the US.  

I feel better in the belly and better in the pocketbook.  I am very thankful.