The flu in Colombo
Ron came down with the flu Thursday. We went straight to bed when he got home from work. On Friday he was miserable with a fever and slept most of the day. When I got home from my class around 6:00 he asked to see a doctor. To give you some perspective, I have known Ron for 25 years. In that amount of time I can remember three times he asked to see a doctor: when he cut himself before a raft trip and required stitches, and two times when he was passing kidney stones. I knew he had to feel really badly to ask to see a doctor. Since it was late we went to the ER at one of the hospitals. The first thing you do is pay to see a doctor. That fee was $1.50. Then you are given some papers and told to sit and wait until your number is called. The scene was so typical Sri Lankan it was laughable. There were two doors in the waiting area and it was obvious that behind those doors were the two doctors who were seeing patients. There were a number of chairs against the walls where we were to wait. However a number of Sri Lankans stood crowded in front of the door, blocking the way into and out of the room where the doctors were. They were not in a cue but hovering around the door. Somehow people here think you will get in faster that way but a nurse was standing guard to ensure that people went in according to their number.

So Ron went in and got asked questions regarding his symptoms and had a brief exam. The doctor ordered some lab work: blood sample and urine sample. He also wrote out three prescriptions. Then we were directed back to the cashier to pay for lab services. That was $3.50. Ron gave his samples and we came home. I got him back in bed and went out for the drugs. They cost $1.035 (that’s right one half of one cent). It is now Saturday afternoon. He is still feeling badly but better than yesterday. Around here when we don’t feel well, we always say we feel like dog doo. Ron today said he felt like cat doo, which is much worse than dog doo. He is tired of being in bed and not feeling well. I am hopeful that tomorrow will be a better day. His fever is gone but it could be the drugs and may come back when it is time for the next dose.

I’m not surprised that he got sick. He has a conference on Wednesday and Thursday that he has been planning for 500 invitees from the local authorities and others. He has been stressed and it has taken its toll. Having spent over a month fighting with WAMU hasn’t helped. Would you believe I still don’t have a PIN number to go with my card that I have had for several weeks? Of course you would after the episode with Ron’s card and PIN.

Medical care here is cheap but not the same as US standards. The desk in the examining room was ancient, with a stained and scarred top, which is all I could see. When I had my teeth cleaned a while back the office was small with one chair and the old-fashioned spit bowl. When I saw an ophthalmologist, her space was a closet and had very old technology. But the cost is certainly affordable. The best bargain is the medicines here. I had gotten at least five different prescription drugs over the counter for a fraction of the cost at home. Four of the five were the same brand as we use in the US. I may stock up when I leave here in case there is a gap in insurance coverage.

We are having a lovely day weather wise. It is relatively comfortable with a light breeze. The Temperature is 86 with 70% humidity. I can always tell when the humidity is lower than normal because it is so much more comfortable.

Well that’s the news from Sri Lanka where the men are handsome, the sun is almost always shining ad the Bergman’s are having an adventure.