More on Czech Medical Care

Last week I wrote about accessing medical care in my Thursday glimpse into cross-cultural living. By God's design I have more to add this week.

The follow up appointment with Dr. Dvořak was in one of the outbuildings behind the big main building of Fakultní nemocnice v Motole, Motole Hospital. 




That meant we had to ride the #180 bus to the hospital then take #167 to go around the back of the hospital complex. 

As we walked along it seemed to us that each little building is set up for a particular medical specialty.

We made it to Building 22 right on time. It was a bit of an effort, but we were really looking forward to hearing the results of the lab work. 

There's my brave Honey heading through the proper door.

This is the hallway where we sat. The secretary is sitting at her desk straight ahead. The door on the left leads to the office itself.





Once again everybody treated us graciously. It's truly amazing how much can be communicated using charades.

The nurses seem to use this room while doctors use two smaller rooms off to the right, too private for photos.


When we chatted with Dr. Dvořak (he speaks English well) the door was left open until Nurse Smiley closed it to talk with another patient.






The really difficult part of this appointment was that one sample showed everything to be normal and the other sample could not be found.

With no definitive test results nor any improvement after three weeks, Dr. Dvořak said it only made sense for Curt to stay in the hospital for a couple of days - to treat the symptoms, run more tests, hopefully come up with a diagnosis, and get him on the road to recover his health. 

Actually, he said Curt "deserved proper monitoring and care."

We agreed.

Nurse Smiley gave him some forms to read and sign and before long another lady came to take him down to Room #6. The simple and clean space was a short walk down the hall and through a door. 

The new lady gave him a nice pair of cotton pajamas and carefully inventoried his clothes. 

It seems most Czechs play charades really well.  

We chatted about what I should leave, take, and bring back. We mostly guessed as we built the list.





When Dr. Dvořak came by for an examination Curt told him he was hungry as he'd missed lunch. Dr. Dvořak asked the floor nurse to bring a snack which was a warm bowl of soup accompanied by a pot full of tea. She kindly did her best to speak with us, making it clear she knows four languages. 
Sadly English is not one of them.

It was a bit surreal to shoulder Curt's backpack and say good-bye. I mean there's a nice view and all, but I had to head home alone.

Once again, as so many times in the last two years we're facing the unknown - just the two of us with God.

Are we wondering what will happen next? Yes.

Are we panicked? No.

By God's perfect plan we were both prepared for this specific portion of refining challenges. 

He's been offering and applying lessons to us about His complete and loving sovereignty in special ways over the last few months. 

His Word has been strengthening our hearts and minds and continues to sustain us. 

There's no better place to be than in the hands of the One who handles everything.

It is with deep confidence we can echo the words of Eli, "He is the LORD, let him do what is good in his eyes."  1 Samuel 3:18

Selah