Calgary Medical: complete in 13 days

[Knobby_Wheezer 0]

Calgary Medical experience

Journey begins at 11am, Mar21, 2007

Journey ends at 2:55pm, Apr03, 2007

But, first: because the woman that I spoke to initially to book an appointment didn't know that German Measles was the same thing as Rubella, I looked up the info on the 'net, copied, pasted and printed it to take with me. The medical is $260 which must be cash.

I leave my apartment in downtown Calgary (near the Palliser Hotel and the Tower, for those who would like a reference point) and walk up 1st Street to 6th Ave SW to catch the number 2 bus (Mt Pleasant / Killarney route). There is a stop just past the Sirocco Drive turn. It takes about 35 minutes to get there by bus after walking to 1st and 6th.

Some VJers who have been there have told me that the place is called Hummingbird Medical Centre. The woman on the telephone when I booked the appointment said it was called Hummingbird Spa. Well, it is and it isn't these things. It's called Hummingbird Medical, Cosmetic and Aesthetic Institute. However, it's not worth worrying about what it's called because knowing its name will not help you to find it.

The woman on the 'phone said that Hummingbird is near the Sunterra Market. Well, again, yes and no. That particular Sunterra Market is in a horseshoe-shaped plaza. It is the first plaza on the left that you encounter after walking back from the bus stop to Sirocco Drive and crossing over 17th Ave to walk down Sirocco Drive. (There is a road that goes up from the intersection at 17th Ave, but its name is Costello Blvd.) You have to keep walking past this plaza with Sunterra Market in it to the next plaza by crossing over a little stump end of the road called Signature Way (Signature Way dead-ends just this side of the other little plaza).

As you approach the second little plaza, on the backside of the one end closest to you there will be a small sign that says, Hummingbird Medical, Cosmetic and Aesthetic Institute. When you finally reach the front of the building the sign in the window says Dr Jane Iredale. I was looking for Dr Adriaan Viljoen. There are pictures of hummingbirds all the way down the other windows, but nothing like that on the entry door. The blue awning over the entrance says, FURNISHINGS · ACCESSORIES. You actually want that entrance says furnishings and Dr Jane Iredale on the door.

The place is oozing with an artificial and purchased calm. (Quote from the doctor in a newspaper article: "Our products and body treatments centre on total wellness for the mind, body and spirit." ) My skin begins to crawl. However, I approach the reception desk and ask if this is the Hummingbird place that looks after immigration medicals. It is. The receptionist asks for my name to confirm that I have an appointment. I tell her that I am extremely early as I did not know how long it would take to find the place as I seldom leave downtown. She asked if I had brought reading material. I confirmed that I had and she told me to sit in the tiny, artificially comfortable waiting room. The time was 12:05 or so and my appointment was booked for 1pm.

At 12:30pm, Kirsten calls me and takes me to "the first room." In this room, I give Kirsten various information that she enters on a computer. The first room is very small and does not look like it is used for anything but information gathering and eye exams. This is the place where you will present your immunisation cards. Kirsten is a medical assistant---the only one in the place and she is often interupted and called away during the information gathering. As such, she already knew the old names for my shots and agreed that all that I needed was the tetanus (from which I am still in the midst of the "punched in the arm" sensation). After ascertaining that I am not a likely victim of hereditary psychosis or a carrier of malaria, she asks me to read the eye chart.

I am nervous about having my eyes checked because I do not habitually go to have them done. I only go if my glasses cease to work. Turns out that I am just fine with my current glasses (20/25 in the left eye and 20/20 in the right). Then she takes my blood pressure and asks me my height and weight (no measurements, just your own opinion). From there, I was asked to go back to the waiting room because "the second room" was still occupied. At about 1pm I was called to come to that second room.

This room is equipped with an examination table, a sink and again, a computer terminal. In this room, I strip off all my clothes except for my socks. I ask Kirsten if it is okay to leave them on because, given the temperature of the room, I know that I will get cramps in my feet. No problem.

The exam is the usual: thumping on my chest and abdomen to make sure the corresponding noises are the correct ones; listening to my heart; listening to me breathe. As I am female, the doctor also performed a breast exam. He called it a brief breast exam---it is. The examination of the reproductive area is even more brief---like a second in duration. He's only looking to make sure that there are no genital warts. Next is the tetanus shot. The shot itself does not hurt---in fact, it is unnoticeable. However, give it 2 or 3 hours and you will feel like you have been punched in the arm. I use that expression because that is what the doctor said that it would feel like---and it does feel like that. Apparently, the "punched-in-the-arm" sensation lasts from 5 days to a week.

Then, I get dressed and take the x-ray request form and blood-sucking request form and the map to both of these places to the door. I ask Kirsten to call a cab for me. She tells me that it'll be about 20 minutes. Twenty-five minutes later, I ask Kirsten to call them again. She doesn't. But, while she is bumbling around, the cab shows up. Turns out the cabbie couldn't find the place---remember---it says FURNISHINGS·ACCESSORIES over the door.

I chose to have the blood-sucking done first as I know that an x-ray takes no time and is painless. The cabbie drops me off at the Glen-something place and tells me to use the direct line inside to call for another cab when I am finished. They close at 6pm.

There is no one in the place. They tell me to get a number. I do: 189. I don't sit. The receptionist calls, "189" and I go up to her. She asks for the requisition, my health card (even though the number is already on it because Kirsten inputted it to the Hummingbird system so that the request would be "personalised"), my 'phone number and my address. I ask her if she would like to see my Driver's Licence (called an "Operator's Licence" in this province) and she said, no. (whatever) At this point, she gives me a form to fill and sign saying that I have said that I agree to have my blood tested for HIV. Duh. Oh, well, such are the formalities.

A nurse comes out from the back and calls, "190." There isn't a 190. She asks if I have been served yet. I say that I am number 189. "Oh," she says. "Well, why don't you just follow me back right now and we'll get on with it." I do and I remove upper clothing to reveal two arms. She asks to have a look at both of them. I tell her that I have just recently had a tetanus in one of them. She looks my inner elbows. She asks which arm I got the tetanus. "Oh," she says. "That's the arm with your best vein. However, all your veins look very good." (yay) The two required vials are drawn and she puts a cotton ball and a piece of tape over the hole. She tells me not to lift anything heavy with that arm for 24 hours. I give her a look. She says that she must say that to everyone because some people who are on blood thinners, for instance, will spring a serious leak. Oh.

There is no direct line in the blood sucking clinic. I ask for a 'phone book to look up a taxi number. I find one and borrow a pen to write it down. I use the 'phone in the corner to call. The usual dial 9 to get an outside line is penned over to indicate that you have to dial 99. Oh. So I do. Busy. I put my outdoor clothes back on and wander down the plaza to a largish looking business that may not mind dialling a cab for me. I went in to the store called Home Outfitters (which looks like a subsidiary of the Bay---I cut through the Bay every day coming home from work). They are very quiet business-wise. So I ask if the nearest cashier can call a cab for me. No problem. She does. Hand the 'phone to me. I get through. It'll be 15 minutes.

The cab takes me to the x-ray place in or near the Westbrook Mall. I have never been to the Westbrook Mall before. The building for which I am looking is called Westbrook Professional Building. The cabbie lets me out and I pay him. He drives away. I wander down the plaza looking for something called Radiologists Consulting. I get almost all the way down to the one end to a medical clinic. The address is 57. I am looking for 200. I put my hand on the door to go in to ask them where 200 might be and at that point notice a note taped to the door that says that the x-ray place is down 4 doors and upstairs. Okay, so that was where the cab had let me out.

I go back there and upstairs. I tried to take the steps instead of the elevator, but when I had gone up to what must have been level with a 3rd non-existing floor without finding any doors to get out, I went back downstairs and took the elevator to the 2nd floor. The x-ray place takes up the whole second floor of the plaza. It's massive! The receptionist asked for my passport and the x-ray requisition. After giving me back my passport, she tells me to sit and wait with the others. It's only a matter of about maybe 20 minutes before I was called.

The girl who called my name led me to a very tiny cubicle and gave me a very large, blue paper vest to wear. The slit, as always with these blue clothes, goes to the back. There is also a strip of plastic that you stretch and tie it around belt-fashion to hold the blue vest shut. She also gave me "beebees." The beebees get taped to the very tip of one's nipples. It's to indicate that these dots on the x-ray are supposed to be there and are not a source of concern. A few minutes after I was ready, the radiologist called me in to the x-ray room. Put chin near the chin rest, but not on it. Roll shoulders forward until they touch the upright part of the picture framing aparatus. She leaves the room. She calls back,"This is for immigration, right?" Yes, I call back. "Okay, you're free to go."

I left and the circus began.

I had been told to call the Hummingbird on the following Wed (Mar28) to pick up my sealed brown envelope. I did. It wasn't ready. Please call back on Friday. I did. It wasn't ready. They only had the results of the syphilis blood test. Told to call back Monday. Called back Monday morning: told to call back Monday afternoon---just in case they actually had the results somewhere, but couldn't find them right now. Understandable in that I was speaking to the doctor rather than a receptionist who would have had a better idea about where the files/results might be. I call back in the afternoon and am told that someone will call me at home as they are open on Mondays until 8pm (not what it says on the website, I know). I wait around until 7:30 is and then call back. The person who was going to call me back has already left for the day. Fabulous! The woman that I *do* speak to offers the number of the Lab. Both the doctor in the morning and she in the evening tell me that sometimes the Lab does not send the results to the doctor's office and that the person whose blood was drawn will have to go to the lab to pick up the results themselves. (Bring 2 pieces of photo ID and they will ask to see one of them.)

Tuesday (Apr3), just after 7am, I 'phone the Lab---number not in service. I call the number listed on the bottom of the map: from that person I get the current number for the Lab. The Lab is located just west of the Brentwood C-Train stop. Okay. So I get ready and go there. I get to the Lab about 9am. I speak to the security person on the first floor and she 'phones up to wherever and then tells me that the person I need to speak to will be right down. Well, she isn't and I wait.

I take my HIV results to the doctor's at Hummingbird (C-Train back downtown, wait for #2 bus, walk to Hummingbird from there). I wait to speak to Kirsten. Many minutes later (about 30), I speak to Kirsten and she takes the envelope with the results from me. I wait. She calls me into a room and tells me that they don't have the x-ray either and that I have 2 choices: go there and pick it up myself and bring it back to Hummingbird or they will have it by tomorrow and I can come back. I go get the stodgy thing myself. Walked to the Westbrook Professional Building, picked up large envelope with x-ray in it, walked back to Hummingbird clinic and passed it in to Kirsten. Later, I am given my large, brown, sealed envelope to take to the interview. (As has been mentioned elsewhere, the results envelope is stapled to the x-ray envelope essentially making them the same item. I suspect that if I removed the results envelope on my own that the CO at the consulate might question what used to be attached and that might cause problems---and I don't want problems.) Pack up and go wait for bus #2 again to take me back downtown (where I live).

So, Calgary medical recipients BEWARE: you may have to collect most of the test results yourself. I think that part of the problem with the blood test results is that the syphilis test is done by one Lab and the HIV is done by another. Where the blood is drawn is not where it is tested.

Edited April 4, 2007 by Knobby_Wheezer

[Carlawarla 1]

My gosh...what a run-a-round!! I was exhausted just from reading this post!! I had a very simple and efficient exam and tests done in Saskatchewan. Things aren't always better in Alberta eh? (j/k)

Hoping the rest of your journey is a breeze in comparison to this!

Carla

[Colin Wilson 0]

My gosh...what a run-a-round!! I was exhausted just from reading this post!! I had a very simple and efficient exam and tests done in Saskatchewan. Things aren't always better in Alberta eh? (j/k)

Hoping the rest of your journey is a breeze in comparison to this!

Carla

O my, what a story, I loved the write-up and I have a appointment April 18th, (same Place) thankyou for sharing that...

Colin

[Mephys 2]

omg....my medical was all in the same place and took 2 hours....poor sweety!

besides, while going to my interview this morning in Montreal, it was raining like hell, and I didnt want the medical attached to the X-ray to get soaked so I detached to put in my folder and then rolled the X-ray in the plastic bag too. The woman at the Montreal consulate told me to give her "the medical WITHOUT the X-ray" but that I should keep the X-ray to give it later to my doctor in the states when I get one..... thats it.

So dont worry all they want is the medical. The results of the X-ray itself are written int hat medical and thats all they want, the results.

Are you going to Vancouver or Montreal for your interview ?

[Caladan 19]

Wow. Memo to Calgary residents: flights to Edmonton are cheap.

[Knobby_Wheezer 0]

Wow. Memo to Calgary residents: flights to Edmonton are cheap.

Perfect.

Are you going to Vancouver or Montreal for your interview ?

Vancouver.

[Mephys 2]

Are you going to Vancouver or Montreal for your interview ?

Vancouver.

Oh well , dunno then about the 2 enveloppes stapled together.....But at least you got a quick interview!

[Knobby_Wheezer 0]

PS: in case anyone needs it ahead of time, the number for the Lab where the HIV test results may end up is 770 3600 and they open at 7am

The Lab is housed in the large 4 storey white building (looks like 5 from the C-Train bridge) with red trim that says University of Calgary on it in very large, very noticeable letters. The door to use is the one with the canopy over it.

I can't remember the exact address, but do remember that it is on Research Road for those privileged to have car access. But, again, like I said before in the original post, it's really easy to get to by public transit.

[Colin Wilson 0]

PS: in case anyone needs it ahead of time, the number for the Lab where the HIV test results may end up is 770 3600 and they open at 7am

The Lab is housed in the large 4 storey white building (looks like 5 from the C-Train bridge) with red trim that says University of Calgary on it in very large, very noticeable letters. The door to use is the one with the canopy over it.

I can't remember the exact address, but do remember that it is on Research Road for those privileged to have car access. But, again, like I said before in the original post, it's really easy to get to by public transit.

Thanks for that too..

How about the Xray location?

Colin

[Knobby_Wheezer 0]

How about the Xray location?

http://www.radiology.ca/westbrook.php

It's near a school---looks like a high school---on 16th Ave. It's kind of between that school and the Westbrook Mall. If you get to the mall, you have gone too far.

I'm just trying to remember what else is in that building that might be more noticeable. At the moment, I can only remember the medical clinic at 57. There is a business on the right hand side that has yellow and orange signage, but I can't remember what they say. Next in from that is the clinic. There's a convenience store, too, somewhere. There's a business of some sort on the very left of the building, too. The door to go upstairs to suite 200 is immediately to the right of whatever that thing is on the far left.

The website shows a tiny picture of the Westbrook Professional Building, but it's tiny. The site also displays a 'phone number and maybe someone who works there could give you a better idea about it. It's really close to a bus stop that caters to Route #2.

That's the best I can do. :-\