Working on the ‘To-Do’ list

Checking off another task ...

On the list of things that need to happen here in our new town as we learn Spanish language and culture are things that would be much easier if we knew Spanish language and culture.  And one of those items involves using the health care system to get a prescription refilled for Ann.

We started at a pharmacy.  We met and enjoyed working with a pharmacist, Marisa, who understood and spoke English and understood the medication that Ann needed.  She explained that the product available in Spain was not the same as the US version Ann was used to, so dosage might need to be adjusted over time, requiring lab work and a visit to the doctor.  She told us the name of a doctor who worked with our insurance provider and warned us that the clinic would not be open until 5pm.

Many medications that require a prescription in the US are available for the asking at any pharmacy in Spain.  But the one Ann ran out of does require monitoring and an Rx, and an email from our doctor in the US was not enough, it had to be from a local doctor.  Maria helped us find a clinic to visit.  We walked there, and as promised, it was closed until the regular hours from 5 - 8pm.  So we planned to go back later that evening.  Well things happen and we missed the time. Dinner takes so long...  But passing by this morning we noticed lights on and the door open.

In we go - no one in the waiting room.  The doctor greets us, we let him know we didn’t speak much Spanish and we began the process of telling him what we needed with giving him a copy of our medical insurance information.  He made a copy while working patiently with us, with help from Google Translate, and written notes and many smiles back and forth.

He finally did what we wanted which was to arrange a lab test to check levels before prescribing.  He gave us a paper for the lab which we will visit tomorrow morning.  We wanted the lab results to establish baseline data using European methods and units rather than compare future results with past US lab results.

But the real special moment came after his time with us, still not one other person in the waiting room or anywhere else that we could see. As we were leaving he reminded Ann not to eat before the blood is drawn and I thought to ask his office hours.  He simply said and then wrote on a paper “1700 - 2000.”  That is 5pm to 8pm.  We were there in mid-morning.  He wasn’t even open and he spent a difficult hour helping us.

Like I said yesterday on Facebook, we make a new flesh-and-blood friend every day.  And we are thankful!

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The Other Jew of the Day is Hasdai ibn Shaprut (915 - 970) a Spanish Jew who was “appointed physician to Caliph Abd-ar-Rahman III (912-961), he, by his engaging manners, knowledge, character, and extraordinary ability, gained his master's confidence to such a degree that he became the caliph's confidant and faithful counselor.”