As planned over the weekend, my day started bright and early with an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on base. Things didn't go at all as I thought they would, but that's life. It turned out, I had more nerve damage than tendon damage, so I needed to be seen by a hand specialist. Unfortunately, there isn't one of those on base, so I was referred to a Korean doctor.
About 45 minutes after I left the doctor, I got a call telling me to be at the Ajou University Hospital in Suwon at 3:30 pm. LUCKILY, Drew was given the day off to help me, so we were able to tale the train together to Suwon. I really thought this whole process would be easier than it was. I've heard great things about Korean health providers, so I expected to experience those great things... NOPE!
We took the train from Songtan to Suwon, and then hopped in a cab to get to the hospital.
We took the train from Songtan to Suwon, and then hopped in a cab to get to the hospital.
It was a little confusing at first, but we eventually found where we needed to go; the International Health Center.
Here, there were a few ladies who all spoke wonderful English and took you around to different places in the hospital to translate and help you out. This was an awesome service, because this awful situation would've been 100 times worse without them. However, they were a tad grouchy! We had a major insurance issue and couldn't get ahold of anyone to get a Letter of Authorization sent to the hospital. I tried and tried to get ahold of someone, but these ladies eventually told me to hang up and deal with the doctor.
Once the surgeon saw me, he knew immediately that I needed surgery ASAP in order to try to save my nerves and regain as much sensation as possible. He showed us pictures of the procedure I needed on Power Point and started explaining how the process would work.
I would immediately start lab work and prep for surgery. I would stay over night, have surgery in the morning, and MAYBE be discharged Thursday. I FLIPPED OUT. This was an outpatient procedure in my mind. Now, all I could think about was, HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST?! We explained to the doctor that we needed financial information before we could make a decision. I also continued to say I refused to stay over night! The doctor didn't care about our concerns; he laughed at us and said we had 10 minutes to make a decision.
Once the surgeon saw me, he knew immediately that I needed surgery ASAP in order to try to save my nerves and regain as much sensation as possible. He showed us pictures of the procedure I needed on Power Point and started explaining how the process would work.
I would immediately start lab work and prep for surgery. I would stay over night, have surgery in the morning, and MAYBE be discharged Thursday. I FLIPPED OUT. This was an outpatient procedure in my mind. Now, all I could think about was, HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO COST?! We explained to the doctor that we needed financial information before we could make a decision. I also continued to say I refused to stay over night! The doctor didn't care about our concerns; he laughed at us and said we had 10 minutes to make a decision.
The woman who was leading us around kept pushing us to make a decision. We continued to tell her we wanted a rough estimate on price and she said she couldn't tell us, BUT we NEEDED to make a decision NOW. Everything was just super sketchy, so we were getting more and more nervous.
I called the orthopedic surgeon on base and asked him what he thought I should do. I broke down and cried on the phone with him and basically begged him to do the surgery himself! He said he would if I felt that the Korean surgeon wasn't competent, but he recommended that I go ahead and do the surgery off base. He also informed me that out patient procedures are pretty rare in Korea. He said staying for 4 days was pretty normal for a small operation. This made me feel a lot better.
I hung up and grumpy gills translator came with an estimate...
I hung up and grumpy gills translator came with an estimate...
If you can't see. it says 3,500,000 KWN, which is about $3,500 TOTAL BEFORE INSURANCE! Drew and I were both shocked. We were expecting another zero on the end of that! Knowing the surgery would be so cheap, we said yes and started the admittance process.
They drew my blood. Hooked me to 10 electrodes and recorded some kind of info. And lots of other little things. They gave me a room, without a roommate (yay!) and got me some sexy hospital clothes to wear.
They drew my blood. Hooked me to 10 electrodes and recorded some kind of info. And lots of other little things. They gave me a room, without a roommate (yay!) and got me some sexy hospital clothes to wear.
Everything is pretty nice here. The nurses are very helpful, despite the major language barrier. One nurse came in to draw my blood and ended up braiding my hair haha. Apparently it has to be in pigtails when I go into surgery, SO she gave me a new look.
As far as we can gather, I am getting my IV at 6am and then surgery will follow shortly after. So keep me in your prayers!! I'll have a "new hand" soon enough!
Thank you to everyone who has helped us in ANY WAY. Thank you to Jessica for driving me to my appointment this morning and watching Rooney tonight. Thank you to Sharon for letting us borrow the car! Thank you to anyone who has given us info, prayed, or reached out. And thank you to Drew for being here with me every step of the way. You all rock.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us in ANY WAY. Thank you to Jessica for driving me to my appointment this morning and watching Rooney tonight. Thank you to Sharon for letting us borrow the car! Thank you to anyone who has given us info, prayed, or reached out. And thank you to Drew for being here with me every step of the way. You all rock.