One thing I am usually crossing my fingers about is ensuring that James and I stay healthy on this trip. When all is well (and we are in 1st world countries) I tend to feel like we could conquer anything. But then take away proper sanitation and drinking water, the English language and access to medical care (whatever that may look like) and getting sick seems a bit insurmountable at times. We have unfortunately had to deal with basic traveler’s sickness (I will let you figure that out) while on the road. Luckily nothing major (touch wood) but being stuck in a bamboo hut with only a boat to reach the “big city” in a country where they don’t really speak English and no drinking water or proper sanitation compounded the situation.
Well completely to my surprise we had a very positive experience with a Malaysian dermatologist recently. I left his office thinking that the US Congress should come visitand perhaps learn a thing or two about providing good, accessible health care for all! A Malaysian dermatologist you ask? The short story is that I have, ahem HAD, two moles on my back that I needed to get removed. Before James and I left on this trip, I had them checked by a dermatologist in Mass to see about removal. After a medium wait in his waiting room, a short office visit and $150 later, he advised me against getting them removed, especially as I didn’t have insurance. Being informed that removal would be around $7-800 bucks, I agreed with his option and went on my merry way.
Speed up to Jan 2010 and while rock climbing, I nicked one of them a couple times, putting the need for removal onto the list of things to take of. Thailand is known for it’s plastic surgery options and people travel there from all around the world for various surgeries so I looked into some options and figured to take care of it while in Bangkok in a couple weeks. Upon arrival in Malaysia, I inquire about a dermatologist, just for the heck of it, and get a recommendation from our guesthouse. James and I make the trek, me just figuring I would find out cost, procedure etc and make a decision from that.
We were greeted nicely in English, filled out the requisite forms (although WAY less time consuming than back home) and got comfortable in the 70′s wood paneled waiting room, filled with Malaysia people of all ages and skin issues. I figured it was a good sign the clinic was that busy. Heck, they even had a tabloid gossip rag for me. That had to be a good sign!
So the wait was loooooooooooong, but not necessarily longer than I have waited in the US when having an prescheduled appointment. I was relocated to the corridor and told when the door to room #2 opens, to enter. Uhh, okay. If you say so. Well lo and behold, the door opened and I entered. I was a bit stunned by how white it was, but there was the doc and a couple of his assistants. He spoke perfect English, although at times a bit hard to understand b/c of his accent. I explained my problem, he took one quick look and told me to get onto the bed so that he could laser the two moles right off, no problem.
“You are going to do this now?” I exclaimed? “Yes.” “How long will it take?” was my follow up. “5 mins, you are done” was the response and then I was told it wouldn’t hurt at all, just the Novocaine needle a bit. I asked the cost and while it took me a sec to convert Ringhts back to USD, I asked for a moment to run out to James in the waiting room to consult and make sure I wasn’t overlooking anything obvious. He concurred after being brought up to speed that I should go ahead with the procedure and went off in search of an ATM. What a good man 
Back I went to the doc’s office, laid down and I kid you not 5 mins and minimal pain later, it was all over. Done and done. I was stuck with two bandaids, the antibiotic ointment and instructions on cleaning the dressings, er bandaids. The doc then asked where I was from and we spent the next 10 mins (more time than the whole procedure took!) talking about his travels to the US for medical conferences and where he studied etc. He had some fotos up from San Fran and he told me about how he ended up participating in a protest against Saddam Hussein and discussing Buddhism with a fellow protester while marching!
And 600 Ringhts, or $180 bucks, lighter in the wallet, sans 2 moles, we walked out of his office.
