Goodbye August - or - 9 more months to go.

Well, I have discovered the pitfall of having to resort to a community health clinic. I have to wait. For weeks! The earliest appointment they could give me is not until the 23rd of September. *sigh* I have half a mind to just walk-in but I feel like, if they are already this backed up for appointments, the waiting room is probably another story entirely. I'm not really sure what to do and am concerned that this lengthy waiting process is not going to get me to Mongolia (or anywhere else, for that matter) anytime soon. Certainly not in the anticipated 9 month time frame that remains. 9 months!

I still can't find anyone to give me a polio booster. I am going to get in touch with the health department tomorrow and see if maybe they offer it. *crosses fingers*

I made phone calls to ICD members in my area that are willing to see Peace Corps applicants for free...I got machines and no phone calls back by the end of business hours today. Errgghhh. I am wondering...I have 2 impacted wisdom teeth. Both are in the bottom of my mouth, one is partially erupted. They've been like that since my freshman year in college (6 years ago....uggghhh, haha) and have never caused me any pain or problems. I don't know if they will have to be removed. Anyone have any insight in this? I am going to try this ICD people again tomorrow...I'm also going to try and plead my case to my former orthodontist and see if he'll do an exam for me at reduced cost. All about utilizing the ties one has, I suppose.

Hello, September!

Read more...

More medical adventures.

So, I found a community health clinic that charges for service based on one's income. This is good news as I work as an instructor/program assistant for a couple non-profits and make quite a bit below the poverty line! I always have more than enough, though...I don't feel like I'm poor. I think that's another blog topic, though. The whole thing should cost about $75, which the Peace Corps will reimburse. Whew. Right now, I am trying to get my shot records transferred from the clinic I used to frequent to the clinic in which I am trying to get an appointment. Also, this clinic does not do polio boosters for anyone over 18. I'm not sure where to do in order to get that done.

Next up, my biggest fear...dental exam and such. I know that I am at least going to have to have my wisdom teeth removed. I only have two but I feel like it's going to be a hellishly expensive experience nonetheless. Ugh. I am going to try and go through this association that has partnered with the Peace Corps (of sorts) to offer free exams to applicants. I feel like they do not, however, offer free oral surgery. *sigh*

Trials and tribulations.

Read more...

Medical madness.

So, navigating the medical process with no health insurance. A challenge to test even the most resourceful of us.

My mom called her family practice just to get an estimate of what it would cost to do this whole medical review. $1300. Yes, you are reading that correctly. That option, completely and absolutely out.

I started calling around to VA clinics in the area yesterday. I called two in Charlotte and one in Rock Hill. The went essentially like this:
"Hello, such-and-such VA clinic, how may I help you?"
"Yes, my name is Lindsay and I was calling to try and get some information. I am a Peace Corps applicant and was told that we had the option of going to a VA clinic in order to complete our medical review. Does your clinic serve Peace Corps applicants?"
"*confused pause* Ahhh...do you have discharge papers?"

Hahahahahaha.

I should be getting some phone calls back later on today. It's also been suggested to me on the boards in the facebook group (Future Peace Corps Volunteers) to try community clinics, since I have no insurance and am under-employed. Ooh, also! I found another girl who has also been given a country...she's got China, though. It's so strange...I'm not sure why they would do this only to those slotted for Mongolia and China. In any case, I should be hearing something over the next couple days.

Read more...

Timeline - August 2009

August 1 - Medical kit received in the mail in Charleston...should be headed up this way next week.

August 5 - Toolkit updated...there's a legal hold on my application? The only thing I can't rule out is student loans...but I already sent them a paper verifying that they are deferrable. Hmm...maybe the US decided to revoke my citizenship?

August 7 - This isn't PC process related, really...but Rhiana, one of my best friends, sent me this link about one of the best things I have ever seen. I hope my placement doesn't end up being in the Gobi Desert, haha. Mongolian Death Worm!!!!

August 10 - Received Medical Toolkit and Nomination packets in the mail. Here are some pictures:

Medical Toolkit Envelope

Nomination Packet

Nomination Letter (note: A country is listed, not a region)

August 11 - Not PC-related...but Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to 18 more months house arrest. Will things EVER change in Burma?

August 12 - The more I research Mongolia, the more I fall in love with the idea of being there. I really wish they had not given me a specific country yet. I have this awful suspicion that the second I let myself believe I am actually going to Mongolia is the second they change where they want me to go. *sigh* Meanwhile, I have started to turn my attention to learning Cyrillic (much to the delight of my Eastern European students, haha), just in case. Here's a video from a group called Projects Abroad about some of their activities in Mongolia (just lovely): Linky link.

Read more...