Going to the Doctor for a Cold

Well, the inevitable has happened. We’re in a land with new viruses and bugs and so we need to build up our immunities to them. Of course, the best way to do that is to catch the darn things and let them run their cycle. We knew before coming here that the first year would be filled with catching lots of little bugs as we’re exposed to these new critters. Besides, when you ride a raisin packed train everyday with people sneezing and coughing on you and around you, you're bound to catch something sooner or later. And so, the process has begun.

Michael started with a scratchy/sore throat. It was mild. Then, Tommy had a little bit of an ear ache, so Mio took him to the doctor. He came home with about 3 or 4 different medicines. They are in favor of over-medicating here. He has to take different medicine 3 times per day. Most of his are in powder form, so it makes it easier for him to take. Total cost for the doctor visit, $0. Kids his age are 100% covered by the health system. I’m sure there was some small charge for the medicine, but not much if any.

Terry had a bit of a fever and sinus congestion and sore throat. It wasn’t bad, but because he has an overseas business trip coming up, he decided to see the doctor so he wouldn’t have to travel sick. The doctor gave him 5 different medicines: 1 antibiotic (in case it might be bacterial), 1 for pain/fever (sore throat), 1 for swelling (sore throat), 1 for chest congestion (in case it shows up), 1 for digestion to avoid upset stomach. And 1 shot in the arm of something to boost energy. Wow, what a lot of stuff to take. The doctor visit cost $10. All the medicines together cost just under $20.

About 10 minutes after getting home from the doctor’s office, there was a knock on the door (8 PM at night). The doctor had forgotten to give Terry some throat lozenges with pain killer/antibiotic in them. So, he came by the house to bring them. The doctor's office is about 40 seconds’ walk from the house, but it was very nice of the doctor to walk them over to our house. This doctor also makes house calls on Thursday mornings and makes emergency house visits when someone is too sick to go to him. What service!

Terry’s doctor wanted to see him back over the weekend to check up on him. At the check up, Terry got another shot in the arm, and a prescription for 6 more medicines. Four of them are the same as before, just more of them to make sure he has enough for his overseas business trip, and a couple of new ones to make sure any other symptoms that come up on the trip are covered. The cost of the doctor visit this time was $11. The cost of the 6 medicines was $20.30. Terry now has enough medicine to open a small pharmacy on his own!

Baseball and Turning 5

Michael’s baseball team played their first practice game against a team of kids 1 year older. It was a good experience for his team to see what their strengths and weaknesses were. Michael got to play some first base, where he got a guy out, and some outfield. He did well at both positions. His team practices 3 ½ hours on Saturday and Sunday, but Michael has Karate on Saturday, so he only gets to practice baseball on Sunday. He did well considering he has only been to ½ of the practices.

Japan celebrates girls at 3 and 7 years old and boys at 5 years old. The special day is around November 15, and is meant to celebrate a happy and healthy child and family life. Since Tommy will be 5 next month, we went to the local shrine to get his 5 year old blessing. This is the same shrine where Mio and her sister celebrated their special days. Most kids wear a special kimono for the ceremony, but Tommy would not have anything to do with it. So, he wore regular clothes. Maybe we can convince him to wear the special clothes at a later date to get a picture. The clothes cost about $300+ for rental and a picture.

The boys seem to be doing fine here. People have been commenting how Tommy is saying complete thoughts in Japanese. He doesn’t use much Japanese at home, but at school he has no choice since no one there understands English.

Michael keeps busy with baseball and Karate. He has school buddies and sometimes they get together after school to play. Michael enjoys when he knows some Japanese that Terry doesn’t. Michael enjoys playing teacher or translator.

Mio started teaching a basic English class to some of the moms from Tommy’s class. They were interested enough to offer money and have a weekly lesson. Seems to be going fine so far.