That one time I had an operation in China….My experiences going under the knife abroad

The battle scars!

Welcome back everybody! It’s been awhile since I wrote a blog post, but this time I have a sorta excuse...I had surgery here in China! I know crazy right?!  I will cut to the chase and tell you that I’m doing just fine and I’m resting at home. I even had physical therapy today and the physical therapist mentioned that I was healing well. Now, I’m going to detail below exactly what happened and how I went under the knife abroad…

What Happened?

I’ve always enjoyed being active with dance and other types of fitness. Almost a year ago, I decided to add yoga to the routine which I really fell in love with (especially since the first time I tried it years ago, I absolutely hated it). Well, I didn’t end up with an injury due to yoga; in fact, it was something rather familiar to my routine. I was doing a low squat and when I came back up I heard a “pop” in my left knee. I know that my knees “pop” sometimes (hey…I’m getting old) so I thought I would just massage it out and keep going. Unfortunately, there would be no immediate recovery and when I noticed the pain that accompanied it, I knew that something was very wrong. I decided to take action and go to the hospital.

Public Hospitals in China:

My journey begins at the People’s Number 6 Hospital (Chinese: 上海交通大学附属第六人民医院) since it’s very close to me and according to the internet, really good for sports medicine.

When it comes to public hospitals in China, there are a few things you need to know. First, they are not for the faint of heart: there are endless lines, long waits, loads of sick people (I’ve seen a few people vomit right in front of me), angry people (there has been a surge of revenge murders against doctors and nurses in China, so much so that some hospitals provide self-defense courses for staff), not very clean conditions, and then, more waiting. It’s best to bring a Chinese speaking friend with you so, I brought along the school nurse to help me navigate the system. 

Secondly, one should subscribe to the hospital and pay a fee (35 RMB/ $5.70 USD) to obtain a card. Then, a patient gets in another line to see a doctor (Also inexpensive, I think mine was 50 RMB/ $8.30 USD). We went straight to the emergency department and luckily, the line was very short. Finally, when it was my turn to be seen, the doctor touched me for five seconds (you know, he didn’t want those black people cooties) and when I didn’t welp in pain, he concluded I needed an MRI and sent me away. I was in the chair for one minute and that was all. I then went in another line to pay for an MRI (At this hospital it was 500RMB/ $80USD, def not too expensive) and the follow up consultation (100RMB/ $17 USD). 

I had the MRI which was on a new looking machine, albeit with the good ol’ Chinese dust/dirt all over it. After I finished, I waited a day for the results. Again, I brought the school nurse with me and we waited in an area with hundreds of people. The nurses at the hospital estimated my wait time to be around 3 hours and they weren’t lying! By the time my number was called, I entered a consultation room to see a doctor who had my results. He said something very quickly, scribbled something on paper and then dismissed me. Since I know very little medical Chinese (and the school nurse isn’t great with medical English), he saw the confusion on my face and blurted out “surgery!" You could have knocked me over with a feather at that point, except the line of people who were waiting behind me would not have allowed it. I held back my tears and I told the school nurse I would seek a second opinion. She said this would be an excellent idea so; I went to the private hospital just down the street…

Private Hospitals in China:

Since I’m staying in Shanghai, the most developed city in China, my review should not be taken as gospel. I will say that private hospitals are much, much better than the public ones. They are impeccably clean, staffed with friendly and helpful employees, and quiet waiting rooms…it’s almost like being back in the west (except for the all Asian staff). Of course you get what you pay for so they are considerably more expensive than the public hospitals, but much cheaper than the U.S.

 I knew of a private hospital named Landseed Hospital (上海禾新医院 为了您的健康,我们用心服务) through a coworker who had previously been a few times. The hospital was from Taiwan and they boasted about their western style medical care, bilingual staff and the large amount of insurance companies they accepted (including mine). 

I went straight to the orthopedics department and I waited a very short time to see a doctor. The doctor was very warm, friendly and knowledgeable and she spent a considerable amount of time with me. She recommended an X-ray and MRI, which I had done that same day. We received the results quickly and the doctor saw from the X-Ray that it wasn’t a bone issue. After looking at my MRI however, she saw the problem, which turned out to be a meniscus tear in my left knee. Apparently the tear was bad enough that I would need surgery. She even brought out a knee model to show me exactly how the knee should work and the problem with mine. She carefully explained in English what to expect from the surgery and the recovery time of the operation. I learned that it would be a minor operation with a short recovery period of 6-8 weeks. I was still bummed to know that I would need surgery, but I felt a bit safer knowing I was in good hands.

 After a month of going back and forth with the insurance company, the doctor personally called me to let me know I would be going under the knife in two days, and my operation would be done by the famous Dr. Shiyi Chen. Apparently, Dr. Chen was a like a rock star in the mainland China sports medicine world. He was credited with getting Liu Xiang, the famous Chinese hurdler back to good health after fixing his troubled Achilles tendon. I was in a daze leading up the surgery and then it was finally surgery day!

The Operation:

My hospital suite...Clean, nice and comfortable

I quickly packed a bag that morning and called my mom to say a prayer. I tried my best to catch a cab, but gave up when I saw a bus. From the bus I hoped onto the metro and finally after a ten minute walk, made it to the hospital. I was trying to take the easiest and least stressful route but, a rainy morning in Shanghai left me no other option but the aforementioned (rainy days in Shanghai=no cabs!). I was escorted to my room which was really nice and comfortable.  I had one of my Shanghai besties' meet me at the hospital and she kept me entertained with small, light talk since she knew how scared I was. Finally the team of doctors, including Dr. Chen came into the room and once again explained the procedure. I also had a Taiwanese-American resident who would be there the whole operation (he was also a cutie : ). After the discussion, it was time for my I.V. which the staff kinda messed up on (in their defense, I have really small and not noticeable veins), which only increased my fear. Finally, I was transferred to a wheeled bed and led to another floor for the operation…

I don’t remember much after that and once I woke up I was crying. The staff was worried until I shouted that “I was alive!” They laughed and wiped away my tears and then I was back in my hospital room. According to my friend, I was gone for quite awhile (two hours I believe).  The Taiwanese-American resident explained the next steps which involved sleeping and no eating. I took a small nap and after a few more hours, I learned that I was able to eat. I was surprised to learn that the hospital didn’t have food, but there was a restaurant and Starbucks on the ground floor. I had some rice and vegetables and then I went back to sleep till the next day. 

The next day I felt much better and happier. I had a nice Starbucks breakfast (A ham sandwich and green tea latte) and I rested comfortably in bed watching online t.v. and grading papers (I couldn’t get too far behind on work). I decided to stay at the hospital until the evening since the insurance covered it and I wanted as much help as possible before being on my own.  I met the physical therapist that would be working with me on my recovery who had an OK level of English however, his personality really made up for it. He was really funny and showed me some exercises to do at home. I will see him two times a week for two months and then hopefully, I will be back to my dancing and squatting self!

I know this was long so thanks for reading! Tune into my next installment on how I get around being disabled in China!

My Two Year Anniversary

Photo Credit: cramasie.com

It's crazy to say but I've officially been in Shanghai, China for two years! Time truly does fly and I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I picked up and moved here with nothing that really pushed me (you can read more about that here). As I mentioned before, I don't have a true, definitive answer as to why I moved to China....I just did it!

I have to say that my second year of China was better than my first year. I got a new job which paid more and allowed more vacation/holiday time. I was able to use my time off and higher salary to travel to Southeast Asia: specifically Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei. I fell in love with Singapore and I really enjoyed Malaysia. I reveled in the tranquility of Brunei where I had a real "adult" vacation complete with four star accommodations, driver and delicious meals.

Hong Kong by Day

Hong Kong by Night

A warm, beautiful day in January...I would take this anytime Singapore!

The beautiful Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I was able to go back home to the U.S.A. for the first time in almost two years!  I wouldn't be lying if I said I enjoyed/appreciated every minute of it. I loved having random strangers engage me in conversation with a warmth and friendliness that's rare in Shanghai. I walked down the aisles of my local grocery stores with glee at all the choices, products and cheaper prices ("Almond milk for $2.99??? I'll take three boxes please!!") The best part was going shopping for clothes and shoes and seeing such a variety of things in my size, while simultaneously not being laughed at out of the store (happens a lot when I try to buy shoes in China).

Now, before anyone starts commenting that I live in China so why should I expect them to cater to my western needs; I completely understand your sentiment. But, I will say that it feels good sometimes just to do things without a hassle/breaking your budget reason behind it.


My second year in Shanghai allowed for more deeper reflection about the things that I like about Shanghai, and things that I absolutely hate (I will write about these things in a later post). I won't say "love" since I don't have a deep love for this place. It's not the love that I have for London or even Paris, places that I think about constantly, or I would gladly return to if money and visa/immigration were no issues (I guess the later could be solved by the former...but I digress). Maybe it's because I haven't officially left China in a permanent/repatriate capacity. I've only been back to America once since I came here.

A rarity...a clear, blue sky in Shanghai.

 I understand why people really like/love Shanghai, it's a cosmopolitan city that's considerably cheaper than it's other worldwide counterparts such as: New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, Moscow and even Hong Kong. You can hire a domestic helper (or maid) for as little as $5 USD/per hour to cook, clean and do your laundry (something unheard of in America and even Europe). Local food is cheap and plentiful, most importantly, fruit and vegetables. There are loads of western restaurants, serve every cuisine you can think of and bars and clubs that are constantly changing. Robberies, assaults and other criminal acts are not as high as they are in the west since most people tend to keep to themselves and mind there own.


But in all truthfulness, after some soul searching and deep reflection, I finally realized that even with that great list I mentioned above; life here is not inspiring to me. In fact, I feel like I'm just living/existing here and I realized that this was no way to live. Call me selfish, but I can't see myself staying someplace feeling "meh" and content. Going through the motions of life and waiting for the golden years of retirement. I feel that this time of my life is full of the most opportunities in term of career and romance possibilities and I hate to squander them in a place that I have no love/attachment to.

So with that said, I don't see myself staying in Shanghai long term and making myself a permanent expat. In fact, I'm in the midst of making my exit plan for the next year (or at the very, very, very latest two years from now...and there would have to be a damn excellent reason for being here a fourth year). I have some plans that I'm researching now that may shock and wow those close to me. I guess all will reveal itself in the not to distant future.

Well, thanks for reading this far and have a great day!

Visiting China? Here's what you need to bring!

*** Please note that this blog post is my personal opinion and not a definitive list, so please adjust your travel needs accordingly. Also, while this post may seem geared towards women, men can take some points from this as well. ***

Two years ago, I wrote a blog post about what I was bringing to China (Click here to read it). To some people that list seemed a bit long, but keep in mind I was planning to spend one year here (and I’m still here BTW).  That post became one of the most popular posts on this blog.

Since I’ve been in China, I’ve had a few friends come to visit and one of the important questions they have is “What should they bring to China?” Instead of writing an individual email, I’ve decided to write one blog post that anyone who plans to visit China can benefit from. So without further ado, here is the list on what you need to bring when visiting China: 

The important stuff

*Passport: Yes, I know it’s silly but make sure you have a valid passport and don’t forget to pack it with you (trust me, I’ve known some people who accidentally forgot their passport for an international trip). Also, make sure that your passport is valid for at least six months before it expires (meaning that if you have to travel six months before the expiration date).

*Visa: All tourists who come to China need to have a valid visa. Please consult the embassy/consulate website in your home country for paperwork and contact information. You can also use the services of a visa agent which is much faster and less hassle.  I would check the visa to ensure that all of your information is correct in order to avoid issues at immigration.

I would take 2-3 copies of the passport information page and the visa page with you in case anything happens. 

Money

You're probably wondering what the financial situation is like so here's a brief overview... The Chinese currency is called the Renminbi or RMB for short (literally translates to the People’s Money). Note that cash is king in China and aside from many first tier cities; credit cards are not widely accepted. With that said, you can still use your credit card (Mastercard, Visa or Maestro) at some major retail shops (albeit in first tier cities).   

To obtain cash, you can go to any ATM and make a withdrawal. ATMs are quite plentiful in many of the major cities and you can usually find several ATMs in some of the smaller cities.  Just about all ATMs have an English option and you use your ATM card just as you would in any country. Make sure to contact your bank to let them know you will be abroad so you’re not left without money.  I would not recommend bringing traveler’s checks since they will not be accepted. 

***Extra Traveler's Tip:

As another precaution, bring some currency of your home country in case there are any issues with your bank cards. The worst case scenario, you can always exchange it at the bank or airport. 

Technology

***Important: As of June 2014 Google has been permanently blocked in China. So, if you use Gmail, Google Maps, Google + or any other Google products or services, you will not be able to access them in China. ***

In order to get past the “Great Firewall of China,” you'll need to have a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN will allow you to access many sites that are blocked in China such as: Google (as mentioned above), Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Wordpress (for you other bloggers out there!) and even some news outlets such as the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Usually, you purchase a VPN service for as long as you need it and it can be used on your laptop, mobile phone and tablet. If you’re only coming for a visit, a month service should be fine. You can also use a free VPN but these can be a bit of an annoyance since they run slower and they tend to be the first ones to be shut down by the Chinese government.

The ones that are used most often by other expats here are: StrongVPN, AstrillVPN and ExpressVPN.

It’s worth a mention that some VPN services offer a 7 day free trial. If you plan to stay in China for a week, then it would be perfect! If you stay for a bit longer, think about getting the one month option.

In terms of technology, I bring what’s important/ the most useful for you. I would recommend a tablet and phone only (Less weight and room in your bags).  Your phone will work only if it’s on a GSM network (so sorry Verizon customers!). You can obtain a SIM Card at one of the major mobile phone outlets here which are China Mobile and China Unicom. You can even purchase a SIM card at the airport if you need to make calls while you’re here.

WIFI is available in many places and the more western/globalized the place, the better chance it will have free WIFI.

Don’t forget the adaptor/convertor!!!

Clothing
I’m partial to dresses since they are usually not to heavy and easy enough to pack (just roll it up). They are great for the really hot and muggy summer months (and even autumn) in southern China. I also pack a couple of pairs of leggings in case it’s a bit chilly/ or if you travel in winter they make a great pair of long johns (places in southern China are not heated too well). 

If you’re not into dresses, bring a couple pairs of comfortable trousers or jeans and a couple of nice tops (you can use the tops to go out in). 

A cardigan is nice to throw on in case you go to indoor places that are a bit too chilly. I also bring a scarf that can keep me warm or keep out the light if I want some darkness while sleeping.

Ladies, I suggest bringing two bras with you. One regular and one multi-way bra (one that can be converted into a strapless, halter, or one strap bra). 

Comfortable shoes are a must. I always wear sneakers since they can double up as a walking shoe and a workout shoe. If you suffer from foot problems, a pair of insoles wouldn’t be a bad idea since you will be doing plenty of walking. 

Always have a dress shoe for dinners or dancing out. I prefer flats since they don’t take up so much room in my suitcase, but if you’re partial to heels sick to one neutral pair.

Lastly, bring a pair of flip flops to use when showering or for swim purposes. 

Toiletries

Bring travel sized (3 ounces/100 ML) of your liquid and solid toiletries. That way you can pack all of these items in your carryon. If there is something you forgot, you can purchase these at one of the beauty shops such as Watson’s, Mannings, or the large chain groceries stores such as Carrefour, Jia Deli, Lian hua or Tesco. Just avoid anything that says white on the label since that means there are whitening ingredients in the product. 

It’s imperative to bring a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer. The bathrooms in some places may only have a faucet and nothing else so it’s good to be prepared.

In addition to hand sanitizer, it’s also important to have a small pack of tissues/Kleenex with you. You will also find that some toilets do not have toilet paper so make sure you have some ready. These can be found cheaply in China (1-2 RMB) so don’t worry about buying a bunch in your home country. 

Ladies, if you have/will be experiencing that time of the month, make sure to pack tampons (if that’s what you use). Tampons are not really available in China, even in some of the larger cities like Shanghai, you’ll have to purchase them either in foreigner goods stores or online.  Whether it’s Tampax or Playtex, throw a few in your carryon if you need ‘em!

Medications : Of course one of the joys of travel is experiencing the food of that country. I would be careful in China since you don’t know what that person did or what you’re gonna eat (google recent food scandals in China and you get my drift). Make sure to bring some kind of upset stomach/ diarrhea medicine, pain reliever, mosquito repellent (for summer), sunscreen (it’s not that great/fake/the real is overpriced) and any other vitamins or prescription medication that you currently take. 

A travel sized umbrella or even a poncho wouldn’t be a bad idea especially with all the rain I’ve been experiencing in Shanghai recently.

Phew! That’s all I have to say on the packing subject. If there’s anything else I should add, please leave a comment below and I will make sure to include it!

Thanks for reading :)

Christmas Time has reached Shanghai!

 

“Christmas time is here…happiness and cheer…”

It’s that time of year yet again…Christmas time! I will be celebrating Christmas abroad for the third time (This will also be my third different country).  Just like Halloween (you can read about that here), Shanghai has surprised me yet again with the amount of holiday cheer typically reserved for this time of year (hey, I had to rhyme).  With only ten days to go, many stores both local and multinational have some type of Christmas decorations on their windows or door fronts, and I’m hearing all types of Christmas music throughout the shopping mall that I work in and in various stores around Shanghai.  I was pleased to learn about two different Euro-style Christmas markets that have recently opened in Shanghai ( I will be visiting one next week during my off day) which sell a variety of gifts and food goods from their stalls.  Not to mention, all the trees, lights and ornaments that I see all around the city.  The other day on the metro, I noticed not one, but two different Chinese people lugging plastic Christmas trees and decorations (one of them even had several rolls of wrapping paper).  Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera, but I'm hoping there's more to see in the upcoming days.

When I saw this my heart skipped a beat!

One of the Christmas Markets

 I started to notice Christmas themed things in mid-November when my local Ikea had some Christmas food items prominently displayed in their food section (They were selling a festive punch, gingerbread cookies and mulled wine).  Several days later, I saw a Christmas shop open its doors not too far from my apartment. Unfortunately, it’s nothing to write home about since the only Christmas type things I saw for sale were ornaments and stockings. The rest were just tacky Knickknacks in gaudy metallic colors. I also noticed that the store had many Eiffel Towers for sale (beats me what they have to do with Christmas).

Seen outside an expat grocery store. This house is real Gingerbread!

Earlier in December, I attended a Caribbean-Expat Christmas party that was located way outside central Shanghai. Despite the trek, the party was definitely a good time! There was a delicious buffet filled with Caribbean foods with a Chinese twist (jerk tofu or fried plantain tarts anyone?), followed by rum punch and loads of dancing. The DJ played all the old-school dance hall jams I grew up and I sang and danced the night away (I abstained from the dutty whine contest).  

"Caribbean Claus"

People from not just the Caribbean, but around the world!

After the first week of December, my school was fully decked out in holiday decorations including two different Christmas trees. Advertisements were placed in each and every classroom for a Christmas party that promises many games, gifts and a visit from Santa.  Outside the shopping mall that I work in, I saw some men hard at work putting up the sign below, as well as, making sure the reindeer were in the correct spots and well lit for all to see.  

One of two trees in my teaching center

Outside my workplace, trust me it's huge!

Prizes to be won at the X-Mas Party!

So, how will I be spending the holiday? As of right now, I will be celebrating with friends British style (as well as American and French) by cooking a meal and partaking in a “Secret Santa.” Perhaps we will venture out since many of the bars will remain open (after all, it’s a non-Chinese holiday).  Regardless of what my plans are, I will eat, drink and be merry (with a Skype call or two in-between).

Thanks again for reading and I hope you have a safe and happy holidays!