The Health Check process is one to write about!! Upon arrival we were told to take a number and fill out a few forms - seemed pretty normal. Justin had number 35 and I had number 36. Good - he could go first and let me know what to do! (Most of our communicating at this point is done through hand motions and I've unfortunately gotten over the brief period where this was amusing and enjoyable! I MUST learn Chinese ASAP!!) By the time number 36 was called, Justin was out of sight - so I was on my own!
Health Check - Station #1:
I sat in front of a lady and her computer... with a web camera in my face. I smiled. The lady looked unhappy. I didn't smile... she finally was pleased with my photo. She looked over the forms I had filled out... asked me "Are you pregnant?" YES! She spoke English! NO! I'm not pregnant! Hello!? I checked NO on the form. She looks at me again and asked, "Are you pregnant?" Ok - maybe she didn't hear me... "NO". She takes my form, scans down to the "Are you pregnant question"... which I had checked a BIG FAT NO... she takes her pen, underlines the question and then hands me the paper! (NOT KIDDING) So I get the pen.. and pointed to my NO. Then, she motions me to a room where I change into a gown and put booties over my shoes... this is going to be fun....
Station #2:
Blood work! OH GREAT. Now they are going to take my blood, I'm praying that I don't pass out.. wait - if I'm pregnant, can I skip the blood work?! J/k! I made it through the blood work - probably because there was a lady next to me (also having her blood taken) and the nurse couldn't find the vein. This poor lady was gasping in pain as we both watched the needle go in and be twisted in her arm.. my nurse instructed her in Chinese..WOW
Station #3:
X-Ray. No speaking. The man pressed my face into a metal bar and motioned for me to be still as he took the x-ray. I hope this didn't fry any of my organs. The machine looked like it was from the 1800's. Well, if they would've had xrays in the 1800's.
Station #4:
Ultrasound. Not to exciting.. The cute old Chinese lady put cold gel on my stomach and pressed the instrument into my stomach and ribs VERY hard! Then looked at me, smiled, and said "GOOD.. Very Good!"
Station #5
I have NO idea what this 'check' was. I was asked to lay on a table and open my shirt. Not off to a good start! China is NOT the place for the modest. The lady had three clamps in her hand - she placed one on each of my ankles and on around my wrist. Then covered my chest in sticky electrode things and started punching on another VERY old machine sitting near my head. At this point, I just don't want to be electrocuted! After a few minutes, she turned the machine off and I was unclamped! No Clue??!
Station #6
Old man who spoke NO English had me sit in front of him while he looked up my nose.. no actually he must've been inspecting my brain - it was the longest anyone has ever looked in my nose.. Then he motioned for me to put a big metal spoon over my right eye to perform a sight test. I failed. He would point to number and after my response, he would shout, "NOOOOO" I had three tries on each eye. All NOOOO's - I must be blind?
We paid 1400RMB (about 200USD) and that was it. Very Interesting!!
