Its been a long long while……
Everytime I log in and attempt to write, somehow all the bad things came to my mind, like mom’s having fever again, like the cost of home nursing her, that mom’s body is not fighting the slightest virus she encounter thus the fever. Which explains why I have been shunning away from blogging.
At times, I want to feel good too. And I want to remember the good things when I revisit this blog. And I want this blog to put a smile me!
Just like newspapers, for the past months, we have been reading retrenchments, low economic forecast, profits down, loss reported…..blah blah blah…..all the bad news!!
But I believe there are always something good out there, for us to feel that there is hope.
Recently, I decided to go for a health screening. Something which I wanted to do for quite some time but as us humans, we procrastinate. The last time I had my health screening was back in 2002 or something. All’s well then.
I search for the cheapest health screening package because to me, these tests are all sent to the same laboratory in Singapore – Qwest Laboratories. So, it makes no difference to go to any private clinics or whatsoever, the same lab techs will be running your blood in the same machines. Well, unless I am going to hospitals which some have in-house laboratories. Therefore, the only difference is the doctor attending to you, explaining the results, etc. which I think, I can live with a not-so-competent doctor in this case. Afterall, health screening is perhaps another marketing avenue for doctors to provide treatment (and make mmoney) if test results are found unsatisfactory. So, I think I can handle a “not-so-good” doctor.
So after much googling, I settled with Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic health screening with a Basic Fit package of $68. I added 2 cancer markers and the bill came about $168. Appointment was made to their hotline, thus no queueing is required!! YAY!
Then same Swine Flu. (See! Bad news again!!) I contemplated changing my appointment to a later date not because I am concerned of getting myself exposed to the virus and dread the mask wearing, filling up declaration forms, etc. I had been through SARS while mom’s was hospitalised so I kinda know the protocol.
But I braved it!! =_=
Upon arriving CCK Polyclinic, I saw a short queue with masked Cisco officers and health attendants. After going through all the protocol for Swine Flu, I proceeded to scan my IC at the registration and waited for my number. But who knows, I actually didn’t need to do that. I just need to proceed directly to the Health Screening Centre!! Arrghhh!
At the health screening centre, everything looks spanking new, and with air-condition!! The whole of Polyclinic is naturally ventilated, a good move to save NHG a hefty bill for utilities. So when I entered and sensed my current best friend AKA Mr Airconditioner, I had a smile on my face!! heehee!!
I got to know from the counter staff that the healthscreening centre is actually NEW!! 3 months old I heard! So the sofas, medical equipments, and even the walls, showeds no signs of abuse.
I had to fast the night before and didn’t had my breakfast. So, after my blood, ECG (surprising they used 11 probes), urine, weight, height, etc. were taken, I was asked to have my breakfast. They actually prepared 2 sandwiches (wholemeal bread with egg mayo and tuna) and a 3-in-1 coffee. I was pleasantly surprised. Of course, this compares nothing to the buffet spread that private hospital like Raffles hospital offers. But, I can say, its not bad!!
Making payment was a breeze because the cashier is within the health screening centre itself. No need to take another queue number!! YAY! Staff was polite but their workflow seems a little off. She explained to me that Bukit Batok polyclinic is under renovation so most of the patients were transferred to Choa Chu Kang, thus making it crowded. But to me, her explanation doesn’t make sense! Yes, its crowded….but at the health screening centre. I can see horde of people waiting for their turn outside the doctors consultations rooms, waiting for their number called. But here!?? Health screening centre?? Besides myself, I only saw 2 more patients!!
Anyhow, I have a follow up session with the same doctor when my results are out. 2 weeks later…till then!!
