Korean Job Discussion Forums

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I'm finally home after having my appendix out earlier this week. I went to what I've been told is the best hospital in Incheon. I go there for smaller things, so am used to it.

The doctors are great, with the exception of the older ones teasing the younger ones, saying it's "English practice time" or the fact that some of the younger ones are constantly interrupted by kakao talk on their cell phones (my Korean friend read what he was writing over his shoulder in the ER).

The nurses, however, are not the kind, gentle, caring souls to which I am accustomed. Prepare to have them press hard on wherever your surgery was, then act surprised when you cry out loudly. Apayo? NEH!

Pain killers? I got a bit of leeway, because, apparently, the Korean method is to give you painkillers every 4 or 5 hours the first day, then jump to 8 or 9 hours the next day. I got them to compromise and move to 6 hours on my 3rd day, 7 hours the 4th. Migook style. I cried. It was 3:30 in the morning and I couldn't get back into bed after getting up to use the bathroom and I started crying because it hurt so much. I've only got a 3 day supply of pain meds for home, though. I'm fortunate that I have some otc stuff from England, or I'd be in for a world of pain.

Also, they don't bathe you. They don't wet your mouth when you can't move and aren't allowed to drink. Your family is supposed to do that. If you have no family, you get sweaty and smelly and have dry mouth. After a type of painkiller that made me nauseous, I vomited all over myself and after asking for help, the nurse who came didn't return after saying she would be right back. I cried for help again (this was all in Korean) and finally dragged myself out to the nurse's station. This made the hole from my first IV (since changed) start bleeding. So I was dripping a lot of blood, covered in vomit, and shuffling down the hall for help. I didn't see a call nurse button, and nobody'd thought to show me if there was one.

If I hadn't known enough Korean, it would have been far worse. Fortunately, by late the second day, the woman sharing my room (I upgraded. I couldn't share with 5 other people. I wanted a private bathroom and some quiet) had a family that took shifts. They were very kind and helpful to me, and I bought them a case of juice bottles and some snacks as thanks when I left. I even hugged the daughter when she started crying once her mom was out walking the floor for exercise.

Yes, it costs a fortune in the states, yes, people do sometimes get addicted to painkillers, but the nurses are gentle and take care of you when you don't have family there. This was horrifying. Please take care of yourselves.

[le-paul]

sorry to hear that. Its ounds as if youve had quite a horrific ordeal. I think it makes it harder when your fmily arent here too.
I pray I never need a korean hospital for treatment, especially considering what youre saying for the following reasons,

1/ their idea of hygene (in some hospitals) is well below what id say is safe standard. I was in one last week and there were men lying around smoking and trays of dirty needles and bandages. If that was a war zone it may be acceptable but...
2 - ive never once heard a doctor ask if you have any allergies before sticking a needle in you - that could kill you.
3/ they seem to have a one fix all remedy of shoving a needle up your ass regardless of the ailment - even if you have a common cold.
4/ and most most worring of all - they dont seem to have a system of carrying anyones medical records or history. You just go to a hospital and get treated regardless of your medical history. Thats draconian and again, potentially very dangerous.

I crashed my bike 2 weeks ago and i mostly treated myself and my girlfreind rather than have them making it worse and charging me 200,000 for a shot up the arse and an xray.
Public hospitals are cheap, but you get what you pay for. However, that doesnt excuse letting people drag a iv around with them in your state. Thats a bit inhumane.

[BoholDiver]

Agreed. The systm here has some pluses (overabundance of doctors and immediate surgery, skill level is reasonable) but in a case like this one, the system truly failed the OP. I guess a Korean would just tell you to hire someone. They have them, they're called 간병인. As long as you have money.

I had a bad situation too, not this bad though. I had a busted elbow and an IV bag in the other one. The nurse came in, threw a packet of pills at me and left wihout giving me water. She didn't give me one of those wheelie things for the IV bag so I walked out into the hallway to have her scold me. I told her to get lost. Seriously, lady. Give me water or shut the f up.

The othr patients were my biggest complaint. They acted like children, especially old men. I have never seen such bigbabies. One man decided he'd go to the hallway and scream for service. At 7 am, I might add.

People smoke in the hospital and tell off the nurses if they are told to butt out. I wonder which came first, surly nurses or disrespectful patients.

My g/f (at the time, now my wife) did a lot for me but she couldn't be there all the time. When she wasn't, I suffered a lot. Nurses don't do dick. If they are paid low, it's probably because they don't deserve more.

[Drew10]

That's really unfortunate to hear OP, it's good to hear you're out of that place and relaxing in your apartment. I had my appendix out a long time ago in an American hospital. After hearing your story I'm glad it's gone so it can't possibly cause me trouble here.

[Globutron]

Allow me to make you feel comparatively grateful for the treatment you got.

Just 2 weeks ago, my best friend currently in China had a girlfriend of his work colleague come crying up to him saying he just had a heart attack.
My friend, rushing down tried some CPR after calling for an ambulance.

The ambulance took over 40 minutes to arrive, and upon arrival just sat in their van waiting, the driver smoking a cigarette. My friend (let's call him X) and his friend (Y) ended up panicking and X went to the ambulance himself, got a stretcher and took it back as the ambulance men continued to sit waiting.

halfway back, Y had the heart attack guy (Z) over his shoulder carrying him and put him onto the stretcher and both X and Y carried him to the van. Still alive at this point.

In the van was nothing but a few chairs you might find in your school usually, or one of those wooden chairs people put in their parking spaces in Korea so nobody else can go there. No Defibrillator, nothing else.

Needless to say the man died on the way to the hospital. So, they simply half-covered the body with a sheet and dropped him off on the corridor floor in the waiting room and walked off.

Apparently they were 40 minutes late because in China they also hire out ambulances as taxi's (hence no equipment and some chairs) and it was halfway through one of it's taxi jobs.

Welcome to China.

[chellovek]

[Globutron]

You were supposed to be shocked by my true story, turning everyone against the OP and telling her man up, people in China are much worse off etc etc flame war starts.

Where 'bouts?

[cyui]

That's awful, but so true. Well, at least you were only there for a week.

It is really really horrible. My "friends' just let me lay there for 3 months

after I requested ( again and again) to be moved to American Hospital...

( something that I think should be a given right) and your're right, you

don't want to bathed or touched by people.

[chellovek]

Near the station of buses, I'm using up a 3 week holiday and I am conducting a lightning tour of everyplace I've heard of in Korea. Walking around wailing and harrasing/freaking-out Dave's users is a bonus.

[Globutron]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Of course I'm glad that I'm here and not in China or India, but it was horrifying to me. Things could have been worse. I did have the newest method, where they only make one incision in your navel and your scar is nearly hidden, but I'm emotionally drained.

I survived. I'll be stronger for it. I'm sure it'll all be funny in a few months. Still, I just wanted to share my ordeal. I'm just lucky I went to the hospital early, and didn't wait for it to burst, or I'd have been there for ages, and probably would have had to opt for the 6-bed room and public bathrooms.

Honestly, I wouldn't have minded being bathed by the nurses. I was, basically, an invalid. There's no shame in needing help when you're post operation. It would have been far better than the stinky, sweaty mess (I had a fever, which is normal after a surgery) that I was by today, even with the washing up that I did in the bathroom with toilet paper, water, and hand soap.

Ah, how I've missed my memory-foam pillow.

Also, all of you smart phone haters: boy does it make it easier to contact your family and friends. Skype, email, facebook, messenger services, as well as the awesome slingbox that my dad got for me. I must have had to charge my batteries 15 0r 20 times during my stay watching American TV. It could have been worse, of course.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

[chellovek]

[Hyeon Een]

[Steelrails]

Hope everything heals well without complications and there is virtually no scarring. That'll make everything for the best. I would hate for you to have to go back in because something went wrong....