Friday, March 13, 2009

OUCH !!!

Yesterday the one and only day my husband did not wear his helmet, proved to be a big mistake. Germany's streets and sidewalks are covered in cobblestone, as lovely as they look they are slipperier than snot when it rains. Unfortunately he went down fast and hard, while riding his bicycle to our daughters school. Fortunately his shoulder, hip and side of body took the brunt sparing his head of injury.



Today we visited the hospital, it was our first official encounter with a doctor in Germany. ( Other than a vet for Sophie) I have to say we were nervous, we were hoping he didn't break anything, also with our limited almost nonexistence German how would we communicate. It was nothing like in the States or on Grays Anatomy or ER . We had to sit in an office and answer questions from a rude German lady that was so annoyed that we spoke English and had American insurance. She charged us 49 Euros cash up front! Okay that's fine why 49 and not 50 whatever ! After she took our money she said go sit in the waiting room, for someone to come take us to Ambulance. I said Ambulance?! And she said why yes, to take you to see the doctor. Okay he is in pain but an Ambulance is that necessary! After what felt like forever a lady dress in blue called his name, and brought us back to the "Ambulance".



Ambulance is just the examine room! It doesn't move it's not mobile....just a room like in any hospital in any city, country. We waited again for what felt like forever, than Doogie Howser MD and mini me showed up. These two teens dress in white combined maybe were our age. Why is it when someone young in the medical field shows up, you automatically start doing the math on age. Okay graduate High School at 18 maybe 17 if a late Birthday, okay undergrad finish at 21 unless he took summer class maybe 20! Na probably 21 then Med School, Residency, yup no way is he a Doctor!

Not a Doctor, not sure even if a Med Student but he was wearing white scrubs and had a stethoscope! His English was limited but better than our German. There was a lot of filling in the blanks or guessing what he was trying to say. X-rays came back, no broken bones just a bad bruise. He gave Hubby a days worth of 600 mg. Ibuprofen for the pain! IBUPROFEN!!! Hello no vicodin, percocet he is in pain and whining in pain, come on Doogie!

14 comments:

pve design said...

Oh, feel better and get back on that bike soon.
Hope he has a kind and gentle nurse. :)
pve

rachel... said...

I hear German doctors have much to be desired. Hope he's up and about soon!!!!

Sara Bradshaw said...

Ouch! Hope he is okay soon - I swear to God if the Germans did take Percodan instead of Ibaprofen they would have a far better sense of humour xx

Anonymous said...

ouchie! hope your husband gets better quickly...germans are supposed to be 'tough' so be thankful they didn't give him baby aspirin! ;)

Deidra said...

Oh my! All that waiting and worrying and then you get the teenagers pushing ibuprofen. Surely things can only get better from there! Praying you have a peaceful weekend with an agreeable patient who, in turn, experiences a speedy and full recovery!

Ina in Alaska said...

Maybe Katelyn can work there part time, sounds like she would fit right in. Hope Mr. Frau feels much better soon!!! He could borrow Sophie's collar. xoxo

Leciawp said...

I hope Mr. Frau recovers quickly!!

Ute said...

Forgive me for giggling after reading all the stereotypes about Germans and their doctors in the comments.
Funny thing is, I felt the same way when I went to my first doctor's visit in the States. I couldn't help thinking how far behind "those Americans" were. LOL

I'm sorry you guys had a bad experience. Yes, Germans can be a little rude at times. Especially when it comes to having to help others. ;) Hope your husband feels better today.

Oh, the German word "Ambulanz" in English simply means outpatient office or clinic.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Thank you for your well wishes Mr. Frau will recover.

Freckles: I'm sure it was a shock for you coming from Germany to the States. I think you said you are from the South right? Definately not the North you are way to happy and nice! I mean no disrespect I hope you know that.

Ute said...

No worries. I actually briefly lived in the North, and I was quite unhappy there. Yes, people in the South tend to be... uh... happier... more content.
And the area is just too beautiful. I don't know if you ever visited. If you didn't, don't miss it before going back to the States.

Oh, and by the way, I went skiing in Utah once and loved it. We had a wonderful time in Salt Lake City.

Joyce said...

Ouch... Thank goodness no broken bones, surgery etc... Very scary!

xoxo

Kim said...

That stinks al the way around.

Debra said...

Ouchie~ Hope the mister is feeling better today. What a nightmare!
Have a nice rest of the weekend.

Anonymous said...

About the age thing: Students graduate from high school at age 18/19 and study medicine for at least 6 years (most people take longer), so the doctor was definitely older than 21.
Hope your husband is better soon!