TheBanyanTree: Transition 14

[Pat M]

Transition 14



What should I do? I wrestled with my thoughts. Truth was I didn't want to
return to Canada in the middle of winter unless I absolutely had to,
especially when I had the option of living in sunny Sanya. Besides, I'd
already booked a flight and reserved a room for two weeks.

If it were MS or ALS, there was no cure anyway so why not 'live' as much as
I could while I was able to?  In fact, maybe I should scrap my idea of
teaching in Sanya and just holiday there for a few months before returning
to Canada. Or, maybe I should go to Sanya, stay for two weeks and then go
home to see a doctor. Or, should I take a chance and see a doctor in China?
 I seemed incapable of making up my mind. In any case, how could I leave my
friends Amy and Zhangho who, in spite of all the language barrier
frustrations, had wangled their way into my heart？

The next morning, Saturday, I received a lengthy email from my daughter,
Michelle who'd spoken with a naturopath. He strongly suggested I see a
doctor in China and she encouraged me to do the same, even if I had to
travel to Beijing.

My mind was fully occupied with my dilemma on the way to the college, but as
worried as I was, when I stepped into the classroom to teach, I forgot
everything except the lesson. My first class of the day was my favorite. It
had only two six-year-old boys in it, Frank and Jordan whom I'd become very
fond of. I always enjoyed my time with them and was very proud of their
progress.

After morning classes, I went to Amy's room to warm up. The stove wasn't
throwing much heat so I left my goose down coat on and sat just inches
away from it. I closed my eyes as if napping and tried, unsuccessfully, to
come to a decision.

During lunch, I finally told Amy and Zhangho.

"I might have to go back to Canada. I'm having some health problems. It
might be serious."

I saw concern in their eyes．

"What's wrong?"

I hadn't meant to tell them the details but found the words spilling out of
me. Just talking about my fears made me feel better.

Amy immediately got a pen and started to write down my symptoms.

I said, "No, no, no. You don't need to worry about dealing with this. If I
decide to see a doctor, I'll talk to Frank. He has taken many other teachers
to the hospital."

Amy said, "I think you call Frank for everything." It seemed as if she were
offended that I wouldn't allow her to help me.

"Yes, that's true," I said. "It's because he has a lot of experience dealing
with foreign teachers and I think he'll know where to find the best doctor."
As I said it, I realized I'd just made my decision.
"Yes," I said, "I'm going to see the doctor. I'll go on Monday because I
teach tomorrow."

Using the office laptop I sent an email to Frank asking him to set up an
appointment for me on Monday with the best doctor in Xian.

Frank text messaged me his reply (in China nearly everyone has a mobile
phone and text messages frequently). He told me that in China, you can't
make doctors' appointments and at the hospital there is no one to help you
or tell you where you must go or who you must see.  He emphasized that we
should go to the hospital early as it is very busy there. We made
arrangements that he'd meet me at Xijing Hospital, a military hospital in
Xian with the best doctors and specialists in the city, early Monday
morning.

Then, Zhangho set about finding me the cheapest taxi fare from my apartment
to the hospital (a 40 minute drive). I wanted to leave at 6:30 am and wasn't
up to standing outside in the cold and dark to catch a bus at that hour.
Once I'd made up my mind to see a doctor, I was anxious to get it over with
as quickly as possible; it was hard to wait another day.
Taking action was empowering.

***

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