Montreal Medical Review

[SpiritAlight 1]

Hello Again VJers,

Another medical review for anyone interested.

There are two places in Montreal to choose from and a fellow VJer recommended this one.

I got an appointment very quickly and even changed it to two days later without a problem.

So I pack my packet 3 from the Mtl. U.S. Consulate (they need the case number), passport, ancient vaccination booklet, 3 photos, and tons of cash.

They had quoted $210.

As I shove some things into a bag, I get the worst paper cut I can remember and I am gushing blood from under my right index finger nail.

Ouch! Ahhh...gotta go. Suck it up. Out into the bitter cold. The first crystal flakes I have seen this season start. Brrrrr.

This clinic was in the heart of FrancoLand and as an Anglo, this is not something to sneeze at.

It was East of the Olympic Stadium, more East than I have ever venture into this city.

The Metro going West was full and only a few of us were heading this way this early.

It felt very strange.

I went super early and the admin person tells me my appointment was yesterday.

I just stood there, and mustered up my best French to say that she must be mistaken.

Well, the kind soul told me that they could squeeze me in and that it would take a very long time to get through.

She asked if I had my interview letter, and I said I didn't have an interview yet. No problem, I showed her my case number in Packet #3.

I was so happy not to be told to leave that I asked if I should just take a walk for an hour and she said no, to sit.

So in about 5 minutes (!!) I got to get my chest x-ray done.

This techy is kind and young and gives me the require blue rode and asks that I undress only top, undergarment and necklace.

We get the x-ray done and she says to wait a few minutes while she checks it.

It is all good, and i can get dressed again.

I asked her about my bones and how do they look?? She asks why and I told her I used to spar and had broken bones and was wondering how they had healed, what they looked like. She said that rib bones are so dense and this was not the kind of x-ray that showed bones; they get erased. Crazy! So mcuh for that info, ha!

Then I go and wait again, as the doctor had called for me, but I was awaiting the x-ray results to be checked.

Back to my difficult-level Sudoku. I am have done that many of these...kind of a new way to keep from thinking at times.

All my synapses must have been firing due to my nervousness and I hit a personal best....almost done, and the doctor calls me.

He is a wonderfully jolly African man, and a delight to talk with. Dr. Bah....I highly recommend him.

We start with some pleasant conversation about where I am moving to, and how much more he likes Montreal compared to Vancouver, etc etc...and thhen we go down the medical list. A big no to everything. He asks if I am sure that I do not have heart problems and I say "only the love disease" and he laughs so hard, I had the giggles from that moment forward.

After the list, he checks blood pressure, eyes, ears, nose...just looks at them with an apparatus.

And I am good to go and wait again.

A few more moments and the Sudoku is done...I am so proud.

It has kept my mind off the needles about to happen.

I am terrified of needles!!!

The serious French Canadian woman tells me about the vaccinations I am missing, although I have done measles, but did not have the paperwork, so I would get an MMR, and about the blood test....plus I would be getting a tetanus shot (good for 10 years) too. It wasn't long before I showed her my hands sweating and she warmed up and was treating me like a 5 year old, which works for me. Hahaha.

Blood test, and no bleeding. Shots and no bleeding. She is surprised and pleased.

A deep breath before each needle penetrates and the pinch and feeling of pressure when being vaccinated was not pleasant but it was not horrible either.

[As a martial arts instructor, one thing I have going for me is: MIND OVER MATTER, and So "walk/go in the direction of your fear" kind of stuff. Tough senseis over the years.]

She explained that it may hurt, I may get fever, and I may swell up.

None of it except for a few hours later and I feel like my right arm was whacked with a 2x4 full on. I cannot lift it too high.

"This too shall pass."

After the initial scolding, all went well, and I paid $290 (too bad that wasn't in USD) included the 2 vaccinations (and recorded in my booklet), and asked to sit for 10-15 minutes to see how I feel. I got up after that, thanked everyone, and left. Happy...relieved. Yippeeeee!!!

I think I was there about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

My paper cut hurts more than anything else that happened today.

Sorry if this is a little unreadable...I feel delirious.

[PfcsBaby 0]

I'm glad everything went well for you. Your 1 step closer to your interview!

Mary

Edited November 8, 2007 by PfcsBaby

[Mephys 2]

Well I'm glad your medical went good Even if they were mistaken on the schedule !

They were really great for me too

Sorry to hear you had 2 shots though, I know you hate needles. But for the tetanus shot it's normal to feel like someone hit you on the arm, should be sore for 1-2 days with a bruise.

Better to have a tetanus shot than tetanus itself!

Which reminds me, you might want to call them back and make sure they give you a copy of the DS-3023 when you will go get your results. They forgot to give me mine. Wasn't a big deal though, when I called them back they told me to ask at the interview, and if the people at the embassy were not nice that they would make another copy for me. They always keep a copy for themselves. So just ask them when you pick it up! You will need it for your AOS.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Ha!

Yes, now I feel protected from all USians.

Hahaha!!!

Thanks again for your advice Mephys.

Edited November 8, 2007 by SpiritAlight

[~Nini~ 2]

He asks if I am sure that I do not have heart problems and I say "only the love disease" and he laughs so hard, I had the giggles from that moment forward.

I giggled when I read that - so adorable! Awwww.

As Mephys said - be ready to feel sore in your arm for a couple of days. I couldn't lift anything, but that's cuz I'm a wuss. Oh yeaaaa...

Edited November 8, 2007 by Nini & Bee

[SpiritAlight 1]

I forgot one part with Dr. Bah.

He had me stand up and asked if I could touch my toes.

I leaned forward and put my hands flat on the floor and impressed him.

Oooouuu my hamstrings were cold and tight though.

And he asked me to close my eyes and put my arms out forward to see if I would lose balance I guess.

That was interesting.

He asks if I am sure that I do not have heart problems and I say "only the love disease" and he laughs so hard, I had the giggles from that moment forward.

I giggled when I read that - so adorable! Awwww.

As Mephys said - be ready to feel sore in your arm for a couple of days. I couldn't lift anything, but that's cuz I'm a wuss. Oh yeaaaa...

Thanks Nini & Bee!

We can only be honest, no?

[Mephys 2]

hehe that's a funny Dr. !

I didn't have the same, mine was a tall man with white hair. He was funny too. He was asking me more questions about how we met and to be careful in the USA with the meanie americans

Omg they are so mean Specially my husband when he tells me I am the most wonderful thing in the world

[SpiritAlight 1]

Well I'm glad your medical went good Even if they were mistaken on the schedule !

They were really great for me too

Sorry to hear you had 2 shots though, I know you hate needles. But for the tetanus shot it's normal to feel like someone hit you on the arm, should be sore for 1-2 days with a bruise.

Better to have a tetanus shot than tetanus itself!

Which reminds me, you might want to call them back and make sure they give you a copy of the DS-3023 when you will go get your results. They forgot to give me mine. Wasn't a big deal though, when I called them back they told me to ask at the interview, and if the people at the embassy were not nice that they would make another copy for me. They always keep a copy for themselves. So just ask them when you pick it up! You will need it for your AOS.

Hey Mephys or anyone else,

Is it the DS 3023 or is it the DS 3025 I need to ask for.

They will be calling me tomorrow from the clinic as to when to pick up my shtuff.

Anything else I should ask to get from my medical exam for anything like the AOS once in the U.S.?

I have read over a bunch of related threads and have not seen one comprehensive list.

Perhaps my eyes have gone buggy from looking at the screen tooooo long. Hahaha!

[Mephys 2]

Is it the DS 3023 or is it the DS 3025 I need to ask for.

Sorry I made a typo on that one the first time ...... DS-3025

That's why when people write you stuff on VJ, always double check with others to make sure

Edited November 12, 2007 by Mephys