Medical check in Tarragona

24 - 30 April 2010

After I had been so busy, being happy that I am accepted by Emirates. Now it is time to start to prepare and complete all the requirement documents for the official final approval by Emirates.

Last week, I did not really do the celebration for the good news, any "Very special dinner, party, etc." that indicated that I passed the interview. However, me and Raül had done some special occasions; Tapas nights/ Day in Barcelona for St. Jordi/ Juan's visit. Hence my celebration Champagne is still in the fridge. I think It makes sense that we should wait for "the official final approval" which will also confirm the day I will be in Dubai, sounds likely more real.

Monday- Today I didn't go to class in Barcelona, because the alarm didn't go off. So I was recommended by Raül to go to hospital and check the information for the medical check. I went to the private hospital where Raül told. I went to Monegal in Tarragona. I walked straight away to the information counter and tried to explain that I need the medical check for work and show them my documents. It was quite difficult for communication at the beginning. So I said, It is a necessary to talk to doctor IN ENGLISH, because the doctor must be able to communicate with me, be able to understand and follow the requirements which indicate in the papers. Lucky me, I got to meet a doctor who can understand English perfectly. But in that hospital he is not a GP who can do the medical check for me. He is a doctor in ER. After He read the papers, he suggested me 2 options, 1) Go to the next building of this hospital where provide the medical check service and ask again for the doctor who could speak and understand English. OR 2) Go to another hospital where he goes to make visits as a GP doctor, there he can do the medical check for me. And he said, to complete and follow the requirements for the MED check, he recommends for private hospital because the public hospital provide the service for only when you are sick due to the social insurance in Spain. Of course, I still can do some checks in public hospital, but that would take much time to do so. Due to I really want these checks to be completed as soon as possible, so going to public hospital, asking for doctor who can speak English..etc, I don't think that is a good option. And the total price(according to all checks which indicates in the papers) should be around €300-500, he said. "pfff~~~....." (THB13,000-21,600/ €1= 43B) And the time for this process would take place about one week to be completed, in both hospital. Before I left, I asked for the information of another hospital where he is a GP doctor. I thought that would be a good idea just go to see him there, as he already knows the requirements in the papers.


As long as I was still at Monegal hospital, so I went to the next building of this hospital and asked about the potential expenses. The nurse took the papers to make photocopies(list of requirements) and said that she would call, to let me know later this evening.
After that I went straight away to another hospital to ask about the potential expenses, and some information where the doctor whom I spoke with this morning. It is called Medica de Tarragona. I was discussing with nurses for while and they could already estimate the potential price, which is about €400 something(17,500B.). At the end, the first hospital didn't return the phone call. So I just went for the 2nd hospital.

Tuesday- Yesterday, the doctor whom I spoke to, he wrote the time of his visit in another hospital/ tue-10h-12h/ Wed 18h-20h/ Fri 10h-12h So I went to see him this morning. He wrote the order for all checks; X-rays, Blood test..etc. Unfortunately, I couldn't have any test today. :o( And for a visit the doctor, it cost €60 (2,600THB) Damn, it was only 10mins!!

Wednesday- I got blood test today, so last night after dinner till the test, no drinks-no foods. And also I got the X-rays scan; Chest and Dental. I really like the Dental X-ray because the machine is so cool!! (...je je je...) I got the X-ray films straight away afterward. And for the blood test's result will be on next tuesday, which is perfect. Because my doctor makes the visit on tue, so he can complete my papers with all the test results.
After nurse took my blood for test, and wrote down the form, she injected something under my skin on my arm area in a very very small amount and used the big head pen to make the mark around it. And I have to come back to her in next 2 day, to see if it will be Negative of Positive. No touch, no itch, no washing, nothing for 48hours. I asked her what is it.... She explained in Spanish and of course, I didn't understand. So I gave up to keep asking.

The blood test costs €230 (9,920THB.) and the X-ray €110 (4,750THB)

Thursday- There was no more test for the medical check. And...... I didn't go to the class! Bad Boy!

Friday- In the morning, I got an appointment with a nurse who injected something in my skin. The spot that she injected, it looked like a mosquito's bite, It was a bit pain Only when she pressed on it, like I got a bite from bee or something poison but It was not itchy. At the first time when she saw it, she didn't look that convinced, sure. So she asked another nurse who confirmed straight away with her confidence that it is negative. Well..... I asked her again, what is it. She tried to explain to me in Spanish but.... I didn't understand!! Well, as long as I am still alive, I can wait to ask a doctor on next Tuesday.


So far, I have spent 60(Doc.)+230(Blood)+110(X-ray)= €400!! already ( 17,300THB.)

..........There will be more with another visit with doctor, €60. And some more vaccines and may be dentist. pppff~~~~...... I will update again later. However, all the documents should be completed by next week and by next weekend, I should be able to open my Champagne bottle already!!




This weekend plan.... Me-Raül-Fernando and Rut, we are going to the April fair. There are 2 areas, one is like fun fair-with all rides. And another part, with all tents, people dresses Sevillana and dancing sevillana/ drinking eating. I will post it later :o)