My First Hospital Visit

Yesterday was my first ever hospital visit here in the States. First thing we did, we went to Tricare to get me enrolled in the program. It's a program for [Military] active duty family members, reserve component members, and their families. It is where I'll be having my first pre-natal check-up here, too which will be on Wednesday, the 20th of this month.

Getting me enrolled wasn't as quick and as easy as we thought it would be. Well, it could have been if we weren't given a 30-page form to fill out!! My husband was even joking around that by the time we finished filling out the forms, I'd already be in my labor. [hahaha] It was more of a patient-interview form which basically collects information about my health history. It was all right doing that stuff, only that it kind of took a lot of time from us.

The nurse who talked to us was helpful. She asked me some questions especially with regards to my pregnancy because she needed information to be able to get a schedule for me for a pre-natal check-up. Since I did all of my previous check-ups in the Philippines, including lab tests, she ordered that I do a new set of lab tests here since I have no record yet. She told me that I need to have my blood sugar tested. She also gave me a new pre-natal medication, the Prenatal S Dietary Supplement. Now, I'd only be taking one tablet a day instead of two. Anyway, I was supposed to do the lab test at that hospital, but since we found an error in the DEERS system, she asked us to go to Balboa to have it updated. She will just then forward the request for my lab test to get done there. So, off we drove to Balboa.

It didn't take us long to get there. First, we went to get the DEERS updated then got me a blue card that I'll be using for my medical records. The lady there told us that it's what I'll be using every time I go to any military hospital if in case I need my medical records. After that, we went to the laboratory to get my blood test done.

Well, it turned out to be not just a blood test - I also had to get urinalysis. It was quick, though so it was totally fine with me, until the nurse told me that before they could extract blood from me, I need to drink a soda-like orange juice that's high in sugar. Not only that. We had to wait for another hour after drinking that juice before they could perform blood extraction. It could have been just fine for me, yet again - but we were already so hungry at the time and I wasn't allowed to eat anything until the whole process is done. I had to let my husband at least get something to eat, but he insisted he'd wait till it's over so we could eat together. That was so sweet and nice of him!! I hope he knows how much I appreciated that small, yet very touching gesture he did for me :)

I got back to the lab at 15:45. It was my turn when I got there so I didn't have to wait anymore. When the nurse took out a blood collection tube, I let out a sigh of relief - oh, well just one - this would be so quick!! I'm not scared of needles. I actually love it, but at that very moment, all I had in mind was food. I was so hungry so you just can't imagine how shocked I was when she started taking out 6 more!! I was like, WTF?! Seven blood collection tubes!? Mama Mia!! It was the largest amount of blood ever extracted out of my system - and that kind of made me feel swooning right after the last tube got filled with my blood. I wanted to pass out right then and there but I remained calm and collected. After that, I was good to go. I hurriedly went out of the lab, went straight to meet up with John, who stayed at the store trying to purchase a booklet of coupons and See's candies. He wasn't able to get either one because for some reason, the credit card machine [I don't know what else to call it] didn't work. We just left and went to Westfield-Horton Plaza to get something to eat. We ate at Great Khan's and took some food home with us.

It was pretty much how we spent our day yesterday. It was a little tiring but we're happy we got everything taken care of. Now, I am in the Tricare program!! :) Thanks to God for all the help He's given us!!