3 posts tagged “canada”
I want to believe in doctors, but my past experience makes it very hard to trust anything any of them have to say.
Yesterday I found myself in the walk in clinic up the street to get a refill on some meds. While I was in there I mentioned to the doctor that I had a severe pain running down my legs after walking a few blocks. I stood up, pulled up the leg of my jeans and ran my finger down the outer side of my leg - between the knee and ankle. I specified that the pain is from here (about an inch below by knee cap) to here (just about my ankle bone). I told her that it starts out as a slight burn, but if I continue to walk the burn becomes quite intense and I tend to lose the feeling in my feet. If I rest, the pain subsides (after about 5 minutes) but resumes when I start walking again. I also told her that it was quite the problem since I walk in Vancouver, I do not drive. Most stores I frequent are within walking distance. The pain is excrutiating and it keeps me from being as mobile as I would like.
I told her I bought some shoe inserts and her response was, "and they work?"
If they worked I wouldn't be telling you about the pain, now would I?
I said that it doesn't matter what shoes I wear but I do not have this pain when I ride my stationary bike...only walking.
I also told her that I didn't notice it so much in the past, but that might be because in Arkansas I didn't do as much long distance walking, like I do in Vancouver or when we are on vacation and out sightseeing.
So after telling her all of that here is what she said.
"You have a pinched nerve in your spine. You need X-rays."
I said, "Really, you think that's what it is?"
She says, "Well, the other thing it could be is PAD - but you don't want that. People with diabeties and other chronic illnesses have that. You aren't there."
"Ok. The pain doesn't run up my hip or thigh...just my lower leg."
"How long have you had this problem? Did you have it in the States too?"
"Yes, but it was not as noticiable because it only happens when I am in a situation where I find myself walking a lot."
I was pretty sure I had made this point already but I found myself going through it again, in a more illustrative way. "You see, in Arkansas I was a driver. I didn't walk to the store or anywhere to get to places. Walking the Target parking lot then strolling the aisles isn't the same kind of walking that I do now. I had a very bad episode in Philidelphia several years ago while sightseeing and doing a lot of walking, but I chalked that up to legs not used to walking great distances. I thought it was weak muscles...but my legs should be used to walking by now. I shouldn't hurt this bad. My feet shouldn't go numb after walking 2 blocks."
"So, here is what I want you to do - change your shoes. Don't wear the shoes you are wearing."
I stopped her. I thought I had already gone over this.
"It doesn't matter what shoes I wear. I have Converse sneakers, leather boots, track shoes, Reeboks, slip ons...it doesn't matter what shoe I have on - and I don't wear heels so that is not an issue either."
Didn't I just show you the brand new arch support I put in the shoe???
"Well, I don't think it's anything too serious."
"But I can't walk."
She took a breath. "Hmmm, well it looks like you haven't had a physical in a while...we should schedule you for a complete physical."
Nice way to change the subject.
So a few minutes later I found myself getting 8 spinal Xrays. SIX maybe but...I am not sure why I had to get EIGHT GOD DAMNED X-RAYS. Seems excessive.
I need to find another doctor.
and Australia!!!
I have been selling things on Zazzle for about 2 years and the down side of that is the shipping cost from the US to Canada is NUTS!
I didn't get an email or announcement of any kind from Zazzle about it (typical), but I just found out that Zazzle has a Canadian store portal now. They are also running a FREE SHIPPING special. YES, I SAID FREE SHIPPING. Prices are all in Canadian $$$ and the HST is included!
To qualify for this free shipping offer, one or more Zazzle products must be purchased. Free shipping offer does not apply photo sculptures. The coupon code FREESHIPTOCA must be entered during checkout to receive the offer. The free shipping offer is for standard shipping to Canadian addresses only. Shipping charges will apply to oversized orders and orders being shipped on an expedited basis. Offer is valid from May 18, 2009 at 12:01am PDT through June 1, 2009 at 11:59pm PDT. Your order must be placed during that time to qualify for this special offer. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or discount offers. Offer valid on Zazzle.ca only.
So, if any of my Canadian friends out there have seen things in my store (shoes, shirt, mugs, what not) or any other shop on ZAZZLE - NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!
Look at that BabyFear shirt!!! So, I've been living in Canada for about 5 years and ever so often I have to remind myself about this. I say it that way because life here isn't that much different than in the States (ooooh, Canadians don't like that kind of talk). Truth is Vancouver is a lot like any other big city: Ethnic variations, tall buildings, lots of traffic and homeless people. You can find that stuff in the States too!
The most obvious differences are that I am not beat over the head with religion and every 6 weeks there seems to be some sort of an election. Seriously, I do not know how anything gets done around here when the government is in a constant state of flux - but things do get done.
I have said many times that if I didn't hear Rush (the band not the fat headed radio commentator and Republican scapegoat*) just about every time I turned on a radio I would forget I was in Canada at all...but in reality it's hard to go through a day of random radio listening in Arkansas without hearing Rush or Bryan Adams or Loverboy for that matter. BTW - I am not a fan of Rush, never have...never will. Sorry Shaun.
To me, Canada and the USA are enough alike to fool you into a false sense of security so that when you hit a bump it is so jarring you go flying over the handle bars and hit your head on a fire hydrant. The things I miss about the States are things I really REALLY miss. These aren't luxury items or services - these are just things that I have become accustomed to and if I had done deep research I might not have been as thrilled about living here had I known. I realize that I didn't research these things because I guess I could not imagine life without them so CERTAINLY it would not be an issue. This is the definition of taking things for granted???
First off. Gynecologists
Canada why don't you give your women real gynecologists? I mean, come on. Yeah, I know, you heard this rant about a year ago...well too bad because I am bitching about it again! And in about a year, you will hear it again!
I had the WORST experience at a clinic last night - yeah, I said NIGHT. Who gets a pap smear at 6:30pm?
Ok, I waited over an hour because my file got misplaced. Because of that error I was rushed through the procedure and not even given a drape. I spent the breast exam trying to keep my hoo hoo covered by an inch of hospital gown and my hand. I was wanting to discuss some things about this, that and the other - NO TIME!!! I had to suggest the breast exam. No urine test, blood drawn or blood pressure taking - something my home GYN always did. I am not even sure what they were checking in my urine and blood, but it seemed like a normal thing to do.
I woke up this morning to pain under my arms and both breasts feel like 10 lb bags of bruise. The breast exam was one of the roughest I have ever encountered. I mean, this reminded me of something that happened to me in High School! There were other things that made this experience really uncomfortable, and I won't go into them, but if a little kid with a goat on a rope had walked in during the proceedings, I am not sure I would have been all that surprised.
During this embarrassing and undignified ordeal I was told that a Gynocologist was only called in when surgery was needed. WTF?
It's funny, because while I was complaining to the resident (yeah, they sprung that on me too) performing my pap smear and breast exam about not having a regular gyn
to take my lady problems to - she was trying to convince me that the
service I was getting in Canada was BETTER than having my own gyn. It seems that
Canada has brainwashed its ladies in to thinking that any old doctor
is good enough when it comes to their vagina, while American women have been brainwashed into thinking you need a special doctor for your special area. My experiences up here so far keep telling me that my vagina is 100% correct and 100% American and probably does not think of itself as a Canadian citizen, and never will. It doesn't like a Rush, either. If it could fly a flag, that flag would be Old Glory. I should send a postcard to Dr. Skokos and tell him we miss him very much.
What else do I miss? TARGET!
Kick Wal-Mart out of here and build me a Target!
Shopping in Vancouver absolutely SUCKS. Matter of fact, it is so bad that I have another Dr. I go to who would rather talk about shopping in the States than why I am there to see her. Seriously, I go in for one thing and end up talking about where I got my shoes or if I go to Seattle much for shopping. Yeah, I want HER to do my next pap smear...
Aaaaanyway...I am not even a shopping hound. I really don't like spending money, but damn why is it so hard in this town to find stuff? It's a big metroplitan area, why are there so many shitty stores here? Zellers??? Good lord, you advertise yourself like you are Target, but the store is 5 notches below the worst K-mart! Shhhh, I bought Tim's Christmas watch at Zellers...
What else...The people.
I like my new Canadian friends, but I miss my old American friends. I knew that I would have to leave people behind so I was prepared for that. I was prepared to start over and make a new scene for myself.
Truth is, my new Canadian friends can't replace my old American friends. I don't have a Canadian Holly to spend afternoons drinking champagne and talking about stuff. I don't have a Canadian Ellen to trade snide and snarky remarks and meet for cheese dip. I don't have a Canadian Sondra to get all goth with either. I don't have Canadian versions of any of my friends. Friends are hard to make here. People come and go. People are spread out all over the town. Luckily, the best friend I have came with me.
* you watch...when the whole thing goes pear shaped...well, more pear shaped than you could imagine...it is going to be All His Fault.
