I arrived in China to live in Nanjing, about 6 weeks ago. Over the past few weeks I have developed a painful foot and it is now so bad I had to seek medical assistance for it.

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My husband, who had to go to work, arranged for a driver to collect me and take me to the hospital. I had no idea where I was going but I do have some confidence in the driver, so I just took it all in my very painful stride.

Mr Xia delivered me to the translator, Melinda, at the entrance to the Nanjing Military Hospital. It was about 8am and the hospital was already very busy with people waiting to see a doctor. Melinda had registered me so I was able to cut the que. She had decided I needed to see a pain doctor and a bone doctor based on what my husband had told her was wrong with me!

We sat in the corridor for a few minutes and I outlined my difficulty to Melinda and asked if the doctors would speak English. She assured me that both doctors should be able to speak English. The pain doctor arrived first and I was ushered into his consultation room. I went to close the door but he indicated I should leave it open and another two people lined up behind me. Apparently the Chinese are not big on privacy for conversations about medical conditions. I was thankful it was only my foot! 

The doctor did not speak a word of English, though I suspect he may have understood some of what I was trying to say. We proceeded with the examination and consultation under the watchful eyes of a half a dozen Chinese patients waiting to see the doctor. They seemed quite oblivious of the privacy issue and very interested in my foot! Once again I took it in my stride.

Melinda swung into action and between us we seemed to clarify most of what was needed. The pain doctor decided I needed 1 week off my foot, some hot compress and anti-inflammatory. I sort of knew this would be the eventual diagnosis and was relatively happy to leave and follow his advice.