Figures!

A few weeks before we left for the States I started some pain in my left foot. It got worse while we were there. I put off seeing a doctor until our return because the only one in the family with insurance in the States is Baba. I have insurance through my school but they only cover me everywhere in the world except the United States and Canada (the two most expensive countries for medical care). The kids don't have insurance because we normally just take them to the ministry clinic. They've not had anything more serious than an ear infection since we've been here. For the price of one dinar you can see a doctor and get meds and tests. I normally go there even with insurance because it's walk-in and only one dinar. I may never go there again, except for dental, because my insurance covered everything I had done the other night with no co-pay.

Sunday and Monday were my first 2 days back at school and it really hurt my foot. The pain is in the arch of my left foot. So Monday evening, after stocking up at the supermarket, went to the clinic. I'd called earlier and found out that I didn't need an appointment, I just had to come during their working hours. Great! I saw a doctor, described the pain, and she said it sounded like a spur. She ordered x-rays, done in the same clinic, and when they were done I took them back to her. (I love x-rays over here...I get to keep them. I even have my mammogram/sonograms from 2 years ago. LOL)

Well, it wasn't a spur...it was TWO spurs. The big one on my heel and the little one in my arch. She gave me a couple of pain meds, an ointment, and an herbal patch. The only expense for me was the patch which wasn't covered. She suggested glucosamine chondritin (sp?) and I started that too.

It still hurts but nearly as much. Walking in the school basement everyday is fine because my sneakers are good for them. I normally wear Clarks and I'll get some inserts for when I wear not-so-good-for-spurs shoes.

The doctor who took the x-rays is from Jordon. He was so nice. When I told him my mother used to be an x-ray tech he said, "She's now my friend."

After learning I'm married to a Lebanese he said he was Palestinian. Then he asked if I was Christian. He told me, "Don't believe what you hear on the news." He remembers in his town back home where Muslims, Jews, and Christians all lived together. They went to each other's weddings. When someone died they all visited the family. They did everything together and got along.

Let's face it...the powers that be are the ones with the money and power and want more of both. The problems there have very little to do with religion...it's just their excuse. The people on the ground can get along. It's their "leaders" who are causing their suffering...on both sides.