Medical

Well, we were hopeful that we wouldn't have to visit any medical professionals for a while, but that is not how it has worked! And believe it or not - it was ME that needed it first!

Things we have learned about the medical process here in Brazil:

* It is VERY difficult to get in to a doctor on the day you need one.
* There are multiple clinics, you just have to know the good ones.
* There are MANY doctors that speak English!! (We are practicing, but not there yet with our Portuguese). Finding one is pretty easy...having availability is difficult.
* Prescriptions are given to the patient to take to whatever pharmacy you desire.
* Lab requests are handed to the patient. They may go to any lab they wish.
* Lab results are given directly to the patient. The patient can then schedule a follow up with the doctor to discuss the results.
* Medicine comes in one size and you get all the extra. For example, Alden needed some steroids to help him with his recent attack. The doctor prescribed 10ml 2 x a day for 2 days. In the U.S. we would be given 40ml. Here, you get the full bottle!
* With the insurance we have, there are no co pays, no deductible, no anything.
* When you go to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions you present your insurance card. They tell you what it is with and without (because sometimes it is no different) and you choose if you want it on the insurance.
* Alden's steroids cost us $20-30 U.S. dollars for a few ml. Here, we paid R$18.46 which is a little over $3 U.S. dollars AND we have extra for next time!!!

The number one thing we have learned and come to appreciate with all our hearts is that the Brazilian culture is so caring! To get Alden to a doctor today, we had SIX people offer to help, make phone calls, offer to go with, etc. Three friends from Greg's work and three from our neighborhood. One neighbor stopped by, picked us up, drove us to Vera Cruz in Campinas, helped translate (though I am teaching her English!), called her husband at work to help us out, bought us snacks and drinks, took us to the pharmacy (though I did this part myself!!) and brought us home.

At the hospital, doctor's offices, pharmacies, etc., if I say that I don't speak Portuguese or that I know little Portuguese do you know what they do?? They APOLOGIZE!! Like they should have known and they feel bad for speaking to us in Portuguese and for not knowing English. They are not irritated and go above and beyond to slow their rate of speech, utilize gestures and pictures (if available), consult Google Translate, etc. In addition, the people that may be waiting around you do not become irate, or frustrated that it is taking so long, they instead, jump in to help translate.

We are very grateful for all the people that have been willing to help us as we are in this transition period!

That being said, we are entering Spring here. The weather has fluctuated the past two weeks, which always seems to affect both boys. We have new allergens, new germs at school, new everything. Alden had battled it well up to last night, when we got about two hours of sleep. Just couldn't get over the hump of the cough. Pulled out the nebulizer this morning and by the time we made it to the doctor, his lungs sounded clear! Always good to have someone listen though, since he is so susceptible to pneumonia. Just have to stay on top of all the medicine and continue to build his resistance to the new germs!