Korean medical care

It is going on midnight here in Cheonan as I begin this blog. I have 15 new stitches in my left side covered by a gauze and a large plastic bandage to keep shower water off my new wound. I just had my first outpatient surgical encounter in Korea.

When I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago with one of those notorious Korean coughs that most westerners are plagued with here, she noticed a lesion on my side she didn't like. She recommended I see a nearby dermatologist to have it removed. He promptly sent me to DanKook University Hospital to have another dermatologist look at it. Five doctors all agreed that the lesion needed to be removed and have a biopsy done.

Today we made our way back to the hospital for the procedure. I was told to report at 1:50 to prepare for surgery at 2:00. My experience has been that Korea's medical system is as prompt and efficient as their massive transportation system. Promptly at 1:50 I was called into the preparation room. The doctor immediately came in and began the procedure. At 2:30 I was walking out of the surgical room. I have never waited over 20 minutes here to see a doctor even without an appointment. Most of the time I don't even take a seat and get called in. Bonnie and I can usually walk the 2 blocks to our doctor, see her, get our medicine at the pharmacist and be back in our room in less than 30 minutes; all without an appointment!

Most medical personnel here can speak enough English to understand the procedures. An interpreter was on hand during my first hospital visit. She was not needed since the doctor spoke fair English, but it was good they had her available if needed. I was also escorted by a Nazarene University staff worker who drove us and could interpret if needed. Tenny was great! We wanted to take a taxi on our second visit, the day of the surgery, but Tenny encouraged us to allow him to take us again. He wanted to be close in case we needed something.

During the procedure the doctor kept up a conversation with me, probably to make sure I was relaxed and not thinking too much about what was happening. He had not studied in America like I thought since he spoke good English. He learned his English in elementary school and medical school. I was impressed. We spoke of America's medical insurance issues and he told me about Michael Moore's film, Sicko. He seemed to be influenced by it.

Since it was a university hospital there were intern students watching the procedure. I also tried to speak to them, but their English was not as good as my surgeon's.

At one point of the procedure I could see smoke and smell the burning of my own flesh as the doctor cauterized the wound before closing. After about 20 minutes he told me he was closing and had a few more stitches to put in. I asked him how many stitches he was using and his answer startled me--"I quit counting!" He thought it was around 12 and had a few more to put in. The stitches are inside in layers so I don't need to take them out. I return Monday for a post-surgical exam and then should be done if all is well. My biopsy will take a week, but the doctor believes it to be benign at this point. If not there will be more treatments.

All in all I am impressed with the Korean medical system. The procedures cost me around $150.00. That doesn't seem bad to us.

Oh, why am I up at midnight? It seems the medicine he gave me knocked me out about 8 p.m. I woke up at 11 feeling like I slept all night. I had had no pain until around 7pm. Even now the pain is only a nuisance, nothing more. I have peace of mind knowing that all is probably well. And if not, we will proceed accordingly, knowing we are in God's hands and in the hands of good Korean medical care.