JE SHOTS or HORSE VACCINE?

This past weekend we decided to start our JE shots. In Canada we got a price of $2000 for our family to be immunized with this particular vaccine so we decided to get them done in Cambodia in hopes that it was cheaper. Well it is cheaper (about $1500 cheaper), but honestly I am not sure if we actually got the vaccine or not.

Earlier in the August, at the school we were visited by an Australian doctor from a local clinic. She told us that her clinic was very good and relatively inexpensive to visit. She said that all her doctors are real and can speak English. Well that sounded good to us. We were also told that the other clinics were more expensive because they employed North American doctors. Even though she didn’t have doctors from North America at her clinic, she assured all the school staff that her clinic was worth a visit.

We asked “Doctor Gloria”, as she affectionately called herself, questions about the shots. She told us that when we visit her clinic we would be given great care. She requested we book an appointment so everything could be prepared in advance. She explained the drugs could be prepared and ready when we come in and also emergency procedures could be put in place, just in case someone had an allergic reaction. She said that we would need to stay for an hour so they could monitor us. She told us that they had a nice room to relax in where we could have coffee and relax for the hour. O.K. it sounds good, we booked it for this past Sunday.

Before church, on Sunday Morning, we set out on a Tuk Tuk to get our shots. When we arrived, the clinic was surprised we were here. Actually, I don’t think anyone could really understand what we were there for. As it turns out, Doctor Gloria was a “nurse” who was acting more in an administrative role at the clinic. She wasn’t around to help. So some ladies who wore some nurse style outfits, I think they were secretaries, tried to figure out why we 

were there. Finally, someone had enough English to set up the JE shots. After a good time delay, everyone marched in and took the shot without too much issue, until it was finally Maya’s turn. Maya was really happy to find out she was going to have another needle. Kidding!

Maya actually has had a bronchial type cough for a few days. Les tried to ask the doctor/nurse?? if Maya is healthy enough to take the vaccine or should she wait until another time. Holding an anxious needle full of clear fluid, the nurse across the desk kindly smiled and proceeded to talk Khmer to another nurse looking lady. Then without so much as an answer to Les’s question, the lady just plunged a needle into Maya and gave her the same size of doze that I got. Maya let out a large opposition cry. Inbetweeen sobs, Maya then blurted out that she doesn’t like needles. I told her she is brave and gave her a kiss.

We then were told to pay and we could leave. What? Excuse me? What about monitoring us in this “nice” coffee room? After Les raised some questions about making sure we had someone monitoring us and making sure we didn’t have a reaction, someone led us to a room with a bed. There were not enough seats for all of us in this room and as a lady left the room she gave us a “clicker” device on a counter and we figured that if we had any problems she wanted us to buzz for help. It’s not like she could talk English.

After 5 minutes we realized it was stupid to stay around. What were the people downstairs going to do? We weren’t even sure we got a JE shot in the first place! For all I know, we all got injected with an old horse vaccine from the 90’s. We paid our $151 as the first installment and decided we were safer on the streets on Phnom Penh. Nobody seemed to worry as we walked out the door. Lucky us, we have a total of 3 visits to complete the shots. I can’t help but think of the old saying, “You get what you pay for”. Well if a horse disease epidemic breaks out, at least we will be ready!  J

After that ordeal, we went to the church in the World Vision building. That was a good experience. It is great to see many nations, under one roof, praising our God and savior. I can’t help but think, “He uses us, despite us”. With all our shortcomings, God still can find a way to use us to build his kingdom.

After church we went to a restaurant had a terrible experience, it involved Julia pulling a large rubber band from her spring rolls, Les not getting her food for over an hour, oh, and some rats scurrying across the floor of the restaurant. The washroom was so bad, Steph held it all the way until we got home. She nearly burst. Enough said. But as the saying goes out here, “That’s Cambodia”.

Thanks to the many of you who have supported us in your thoughts and prayers. Please pray for Les and Maya, they still seem to have some respiratory issues. Also please pray for our house situation to be resolved soon. We thought it would all be taken care of by now. There is definitely some stress involved with that.

Each day we are here, our circle of understanding gets a bit larger. We are learning many new things and new ways of doing things. We also appreciate and miss you and the many blessings of Canada.

Deano