When we were asked last year to re-apply to
serve onboard we had to update a few details from our previous application in
2010. One of these was completing family medicals. I had to undergo a more
stringent Seafarers Medical but Tam and the boys all needed to complete one
with our family doctor. Well when I went to book this I was initially told it
was going to be $178 each, which times-four was not cheap - $712. But then they
told me to send the Mercy Ships forms and they’d look at what they could do.
Well, a week later, they rang back and told us that our family doctor, Dr Adnan
Khan, would do them gratis – free – for nix! What a blessing.
But wait there is more. Two years ago I had
a little bike accident whilst racing and broke my collarbone (clavicle) badly
requiring insertion of a 5 inch titanium plate and eight screws.
Well I wanted to investigate getting it
removed before leaving for Africa, just in case it caused me any problems
later, so armed with up to date x-rays I headed back to see my surgeon, Dr
Simon Chan. My main concerns were when I could get it removed, how long I’d be
incapacitated and what it was going to cost. I explained why I was considering
having it removed and he shared how he had done some volunteer work in Africa
as a young doctor. Anyway when we came to the business of what my little
surgery was going to cost he said he would “no gap” me, which means I would
have nothing to pay after Medicare and my health insurance fund paid their
contributions. More blessings.
So my little blog today is to acknowledge
and thank these two doctors, who in their own way are helping launch us on our
journey to serve in Africa with a few extra dollars in the Mercy Ships fund
before we leave.
Mick
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