![\"\"](\"http:\/\/montanaron.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/doctor-3219312_1280-480x480.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHigh Blood Pressure Check<\/h3>\n
I’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure for more than three years now, and it’s under control with blood pressure medications and eating a fairly healthy diet. This check up on November 29th was a routine visit to my doctor’s clinic to renew my three-months supply of the meds. While there I also had a semi-annual blood test and an annual EKG check. I also, for the first time ever, had an ultra sound check of my liver, kidneys and bladder. The blood test showed everything was within the normal range, no high cholesterol, no high sodium intake, and all the other items on the blood test were great. The EKG showed no problems, and the ultra sound also showed no negative results. I got my meds and paid the bill for the check up. It was 2,719,000 Lao kip, which, at current exchange rates is around $125. Great<\/p>\n
Colonoscopy<\/h3>\n
On December 19th I went in for colonoscopy. It had been more than 20 years since I’d had one, so I thought that at my age, 76, it was time to make sure that there were no problems inside. Luckily, my GP doc, he from whom I got the meds and the check up earlier, has a colleague who does colonoscopies at one of the local hospitals, so I set up an appointment with her. Got the laxatives and cleansing solution, which saw me on the toilet for a while, and then off to Mahosot Hospital here in Vientiane for the procedure. It didn’t take long, perhaps 20-30 minutes, and I was able to make my way back home on my motorbike with no anaesthetic wooziness. The results came back showing no problems at all, no polyps to remove and, of course, no signs of cancer. Yahoo! I was certainly relieved.<\/p>\n
Total Costs<\/h3>\n
The total cost of the procedure was around $250, so, all-in-all, the cost for every thing over the past few weeks was around $375. Great price and the service was also excellent. I’m not insured, since I have a pre-existing condition–I’m over 70. LOL The school gives me and a few other teachers who have other pre-existing conditions $1000 a year. Almost all the other staff and teachers at the school get regular health insurance from the school. At any rate, compare that $375 cost with what you might pay in the United States. I’ll wait. Yeah, no comparison, it’s a fraction of what U.S. costs would be.<\/p>\n
Intestine Photos<\/h3>\n
Have you ever seen what the inside of a healthy intestine looks like? If you’re a bit squeamish, I wouldn’t click on the next link, which shows a few photos of my intestines. You have been warned!<\/p>\n