• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

THE VOICES COLLECTION

By Caroline Trudeau

  • OH MY WORD
    • THE BLOG
    • THE GLOSS OVER PODCAST
  • ANTHOLOGIES
    • IRONMAN
    • THE CXO
    • THE SLALOM STORIES
    • 40 OVER 40
    • #itselectric
  • ABOUT CARO
    • STORYTELLING SERVICES
    • pageight
    • CONSULTANT BIO
    • CV

Munich: My German Healthcare Experience

October 8, 2018 By Caroline Trudeau 6 Comments

Reading Time: 4 minutes

 

I woke up on Saturday morning with a poofy right eyelid. Surely, I thought, I’ve been overdoing it. After a long week of conference-going, networking, after-parties, staying up past my bedtime, and 2 visits to Oktoberfest, inclusive of that whole dancing on tables thing, my body was clearly telling me I needed a day off. Sweet Caroline.

I chilled all day, binge watched the newly-released season 3 of The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime (so good – watch it!) in between naps and took a short trip to Edeka for some provisions.

Shortly after sundown, I took half of one of my in case of emergency sleeping pill (thanks Cindy!) before turning it all off, shutting her down.

—

I slept like a rock but unfortunately woke up to an even poofier eyelid, now turned a chartreuse color.  My worst nightmare: my eye looked like I had been socked by a heavyweight boxing champion and it was quite uncomfortable. And did I mention I’m kicking off a freelance project with a new client in London on Tuesday. Great timing huh?

In the past, I had often wondered how I would find care in Germany if something were to happen to me while there. My imaginary scenario was falling off a curb and not knowing where to go or what to do.  This was even worst. On a Sunday, when pretty much everything is closed.

Alone in a foreign country where I don’t speak the language, feeling like shit, all I could focus on for a few hours was: “I want my Maman”.  I cried; at least my tear ducks worked fine.

I eventually sucked it up, like I always do, and I relied on my always faithful: Google. “Urgent care near me open now”. After translating Google reviews on the one place reported as “Open until 23h”, on this grey Sunday, I put my rose colored sunglasses on and headed to the KVB, prepared to spend the rest of the day there.  Look at that website, I dare you…

1539023461745

Two U-Bahn stops away and a short walk further, I stepped into a white-colored office. I was second in line to get checked in. The nice woman at the reception shortly greeted me in German. “I’m sorry, do you speak English?”  To my relief, she did.

“Do you have German health insurance?”, she asked.

Here we go…

“I don’t.”

“Kein Problem, you can pay cash.”

Oh this is gonna be expensive…  Knowing I have about €150 left in cash in my wallet, 7 weeks after emptying my business account upon leaving Virginia, I panicked a bit: what if I can’t afford this care? 

“Oh, ok, how much do you think it will be?”, I said, acting cool.

“About €100”

Phew!  But no traditional Bavarian jacket for me this trip.  I must take care of this eye business pronto.  Priorities…  

I filled out a super short piece of paper to formally check in: name, sex, address, date of birth, and reason for visit: eye infection.

“Go to the end of the couloir, the waiting area is there.”

“Thank you, do you think it will be a long wait?”

“There are only 2 people ahead of you so it should not be too long.”

Super, danke schön.

—

In the waiting area, I observe mothers with young kids, English-speaking tourists in their Oktoberfest garb, clearly not feeling well, a few young women alone; probably about 14 people total.  Hmmmm, maybe the receptionist fibbed me…  

There are 3 doors adjacent the waiting area.  A nurse comes out of the first door and calls a patient. Five minutes later, the patient exits the room. One minute later, the nurse calls another patient.  Wow, they are moving through people surprisingly efficiently out of door number 1!

Out of the 3rd door, another nurse calls another patient. Four minutes later, the patient exits, blue-colored slip in hand. Not-even-one-minute-later: “Frau Trudeau.”

Wow, it’s my turn already!

I walk into a small examination room set up like my eye doctor’s office with all the eye exam gadgets and things. The nurse sets up at the computer and I am introduced to the doctor. They both speak enough English that we understand each other. But we don’t really need words to describe my condition: it’s obvious why I am there. Just look at me.

(I spare you the picture, you are welcome!)

First she checks my vision, exactly like Dr. Reisner has done every year for the last 18 at the The Eye Center in Sterling, Virginia. She is dictating what she finds, the nurse typing in what I imagine is my virgin German health file.

I don’t understand what she is saying, but I can tell what’s going on. By now, I have been training for weeks, maybe even years: I am quite proficient at listening to Germans. The context, her tone and discourse’s cadence tell me everything I need to know: all of it is reassuring.  Alles gut.

The whole procedure takes about 4 minutes before she says: “You will be ok, I give you antibiotics”. All right then! After exchanging a few pleasantries, I offer my phone so she can use my Google translate to tell me what I have…

IMG_0578.PNG

A stye, ewwwww.  It sounds even worst in German!  

No matter how careful I am about washing my hands and sanitizing practically everything almost all the time, some kind of bacteria got in my eye. And honestly, with all the running around I’ve been doing and some millions of people wobbling around my Munich neighborhood, I can’t exactly be surprised.

To my delight, she then informs me that there are a few Apothekes that are open all day on Sunday for emergencies and I can start my healing immediately. “Check with the reception for the list”.

This list, Google had not been able to help me with earlier, reporting that all pharmacies in the city are closed until Monday morning. In the reception area a few minutes later, I find the holy grail. Alléluia.

IMG_2591
IMG_4671

 
“No make up and antibiotics 3 times per day. You will be normal in a week to 10 days.”

That’s good news, but I can’t help but agonize about what first impression will I make in London in a couple of days. Ugh.

“It’s €118”

“Oh, I pay you?”

“Ja!”

She pulls out a wallet to make change for my €120 and hands me my paperwork and my blue-colored prescription slip.

1539024245370.JPEG

—

I was in and out of there in 49 minutes.

I can’t help but compare: I would have never felt this efficiency in neither Canada nor the US.  And ironically, I was expecting experiences similar to those of my adult-life stuck in the American healthcare system after reproductive system issues, back surgeries, preventative care for Ironman, a Lyme disease diagnosis, and all the other health things.

I’m not saying one experience makes an entire country’s system better. Rather, I am aware of my pejorative biases towards healthcare systems in general. Yet, in a moment I didn’t have a choice but to get out of my comfort zone, my expectations were exceeded. I am reminded to always keep an open mind.

—

Later, I pick an Apotheke that is a 10 minute walk away, on my way back to my pied-à-terre.  Five minutes later, I leave with both my prescription and a saline drop solution that should help with the swelling, according to the pharmacist. €39.  I decide to walk the rest of the way home.

Side note, €157 total. My monthly COBRA payment is $403.82.  Just saying.

Inside of 2 hours, I was back in my pyjamas, antibiotic ointment in eye, warm compress on rotation, episode 7 playing.

—

Later on that evening, Skyping with my family, the only human beings I feel comfortable seeing me like this, we strategize about what I’ll tell my new client on Tuesday and agree that humor is the only way to go.

My brother Julien comes up with the best line: “Caro, easy. Tell then you brought the Eye of the Tiger!”

Indeed, and on that note, I shortly proceed to get some shut eye.

Share this Post:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda Perry-Lube says

    October 8, 2018 at 23:33

    Told you an Apotheke would be open. Just didn’t know it would only be open until 23h. 😜

    Reply
    • Caroline Trudeau says

      October 10, 2018 at 13:20

      You were 100% right, as usual 🙂

      Reply
  2. Lisa Hoel-Leach says

    October 9, 2018 at 18:38

    You are hilarious! I hope your gerstenkorn is better in less than 10 days❤️

    Reply
    • Caroline Trudeau says

      October 10, 2018 at 13:19

      LOL, OMG, me 2. It’s been 5 days and still going… Let me know if you have any tips.

      Reply
  3. nadine says

    October 10, 2018 at 13:09

    Glad you’re better and way to go Jules.

    Reply
    • Caroline Trudeau says

      October 10, 2018 at 13:20

      Thank you! Still working on it…

      Reply

Say something, go ahead! Cancel reply

Footer

INSTAGRAM

#Copenhagen A visit to a new city and country 🇩 #Copenhagen
A visit to a new city and country 🇩🇰 with a bonus +1 with Malmö 🇸🇪. 
It’s the company and hospitality of the Wachter tribe that made the place so memorable. Thank you Brett, Anja, Aviaja and special shout out to Mira for sharing her room 🥰🐶🎶
I’ll be back to continue what started at the Danish Museum of Design and discover more Copenhagen architectural treasures.
And just like that, Lolo is a high school graduate And just like that, Lolo is a high school graduate.

@loganmhenry, I’m so lucky I get to be part of your life! ❤️

Watching you grow up so closely has been one of the joys and honors of my 30s and 40s. I’m not worried about your future one bit because of the fantastic young woman you already are. Great job parents 👏🏼⭐️🫶🏼

And I’m just gonna keep being here, watching you, and the places you’ll go 🙏🏼😎🚀

Be big out there. And do your best, like always. 🎈

Congrats!!! To you and all the Falls Church High School graduates! 👩‍🎓

#classof2023
It’s the 10 year anniversary of my social media It’s the 10 year anniversary of my social media indecency!

I do it to #savethetatas🎀 .

As a #PSA 🙏🏼.

A reminder to my ladies: get your yearly mammogram done.  Full stop. 🛑

And as a way to honor my once family #survivor: Grand-Maman Bebette. 🇨🇦😇👼🏼

I had my first at 37. You do the math. 🍎🍎

Bonus: color-blocking with my gown 💙💛💚
Any guesses?! ⬇️ Top 5 questions I get asked Any guesses?! ⬇️

Top 5 questions I get asked coming back from a 4 week trip abroad. 

How was your trip? Not eligible. 

#top5
#beingabroad
#home
#virginiaisforlovers❤️ 
#tourist
#workfromeverywhere
#loveatwork
Moments in the mail. Like love notes to staccato t Moments in the mail. Like love notes to staccato the years and accomplishments. 

Always delightful.  Especially in a pile the size of an entire paper recycling bag, after 33 days away. 

Presenting the Henry Class of 2023. Evie is going to @arizonastateuniversity and LOLO is going to Virginia Tech. 

Great job Henry clan!  Keep going 👏🏼🚀😈🤘🏼

#forksup #gohokies
#TBT to Tuesday night in #LDN. Soho, shining, read #TBT to Tuesday night in #LDN. Soho, shining, ready to #celebrate. 🏳️‍🌈

Diversity season is never over. 

I’m an advocate, a voice and a lover. 

Happy Pride. 🌈🦄💚
Day 33: #Reston The best part of coming #home: sl Day 33: #Reston

The best part of coming #home: sleeping in my own bed. 😌🛏️😴

🇺🇸🇩🇪🇩🇰🇸🇪🇬🇧

#grateful
Day 32: #London It’s the final day for Love, on Day 32: #London

It’s the final day for Love, on European Tour.

At dinner in Soho, Oxana gifted me with an unimaginably beautiful gift: #art. Her own. 

It’s me. And it’s about this quest I’ve been on for the last year: to find Love, at Work. 

I’m deeply touched and eternally grateful. And headed for home with my heart full. 

And eager for the next cycle of work.

#loveatwork
#workfromeverywhere
Steps in #LDN 🇬🇧 Steps in #LDN 🇬🇧

CONTACT CAROLINE

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp

KEEP UP WITH THE VOICES

SEARCH

MEDIA

 

COPYRIGHT © 2023 · THE VOICES COLLECTION · SHOUT OUT TO 

COPYRIGHT © 2023 · THE VOICES COLLECTION · CAROLINE TRUDEAU