Dr visit in Cairo....

So I seem to have come down with a slight infection-- no, not swine though the stigma remains. Going/finding a Dr in a foreign country is always...an experience...

I'm not one to voluntarily visit Drs.--however, I've been told that in Cairo its much better to visit a Dr than a hosptial, so why risk getting worse?
A few days after the onset of symptoms I decided I must do the responsible thing and postpone my start time at work to see a Dr. I arrived at the AUC-Downtown clinic and was told to wait until the female doctor was available, because of course I could not speak with a male medical professional.

With no one in the waiting room- 20 minutes later it was my turn. I saw the female dr and told her my syptoms. Without any examination or further questions, she wrote down 4 different medications: topical, internal etc...Surprised by her quick determination and trust in my not-medically trained hypothesis that was only based on basic internet search, I was a bit skeptical to say the least. I asked what other syptoms I should look out for and how could I have contracted this? She assured me it was from using restrooms outside of my house and watch out because its the first signs of diabetes! HA! (really, its nothing serious...)

At that, I pleasantly smiled, thanked her for the time, collected my things and walked out the door. I threw the prescriptions away on my way out of the lobby.

4 days later, I visited the clinic on New Campus. There was only a male doctor-- uh oh! I insisted on seeing him-- even tho it was a rather female based issue. I figured, if he works at AUC, meets many Westerners and is a medical professional- he WILL handle my case. This is a medical issue- not cultural. So I walked into his office and as point blank as possible told him all of my female issues. He handled the issues well- but perhaps was taken aback by my frankness. Either way-- he told me I needed some lab work and prescribed a basic antibiotic- I later confirmed that it was a conventional antibiotic. good start.

3 days later at 9 am I took the risk that anything in Cairo is open before 10am and attempted to find the lab-- 49 Nubar St, supposedly right by my apt building. Well....20 is next to 13, next to 41...the other side of the street is also "specially numbered." I had forgotten my phrase book at home so, w/ my lack of Arabic I finally mime my way to 49 Nubar. I now have 20 minutes to pee in a cup and get to work... I realize I have no idea how to say "lab" in Arabic, I'm completely illiterate in Arabic and all signs are in only Arabic. I attempt to mime "lab" or "Dr" to the doorman (if you can think of a way to mime that to an uneducated man please tell me.) He told me 12th floor. Didn't help- still can't read Arabic of the closed doors. Try again- this time 4rd floor--- same. Next he asks if I'm married.
I walk away almost late to work, frustrated by my lack of Arabic, hating feeling like I need someone to help w/ a basic task in life, my schedule is too full to waste this time and don't get me started on Egyptian men.

I get to work and good ol Ahmed writes "lab" in Arabic for me.

One week later (infection still present- but not growing- I hope!) I make time to find another reccommeded lab. 1 Talat-Harb St. I arrive and am told its about "5 min walk down Tahrir St" I ask myself: 5 min Egyptian woman pace, or crazy American woman pace...I walk. I arrive and am told its on Nubar St. aw heck no...I go to work.


3 days later (so now I'm 2.5wks after initial symptoms)- I realize I'm being stupid and irresponsible and am determined to find this lab. Another Arabic speaking friend calls the lab, gets the address and hours of operation, writes it on a piece of paper and I'm on a mission! I meet the same doorman who proposed a week early- show him the piece of paper and he motions to the 3rd floor. I find it-- one block from my house is the lab!

Tom and Jerry is playing on the TV. The Egyptian man sitting next to me laughs at me everytime I laugh at Tom and that poor dog. Finally, I get to pee in a cup! Of course, there is no water to flush the toilet or to wash my hands in this medical lab but the secretary says, "nooo problem! water finished"....whatever, mission accomplished! now, when my results will be in...who knows?!

Random tidbit I learned while chatting w/ an Egyptian Dr in the gym locker room:
Egyptian Drs always WAAY overprescribe. There is a belief in Egypt that the Dr does not do his/her job w/o prescibing a medication. Thus at least one prescription is written at every apt. For this reason, obviously, there is a high resistance rate to antibodies...hum, a bit of Egyptian medical-cultural knowledge!
Also, she got very uncomfortable when I started to undress- in the female lockeroom! She walked out of the room to let me have my privacy...a doctor. a female locker room. we're both females...hum.