Medical Care in a Strange Land

I figured that since medical care in Australia is said to be so great for their permanent residents it couldn't be too bad for foreigners. I was a bit wrong there. The doctor wasn't super expensive... only 93 AUD. Cheaper than most doctors in America unless you are on an income based plan like I was. Truthfully, it's the price of medications, both over the counter and prescription that gets me. It will be sixty dollars a month for three of my meds (prescription). Back home I paid maybe 12 for all three. And my muscle relaxer there was 10 dollars for 90 pills. Here it is 54 dollars for 100 pills. And this doesn't include my over the counter stuff like Zyrtec, Mucinex equivalent, magnesium, vitamin d, vitamin c, and Sudafed.

Of course I can't work while I'm here, except for selling my books so I'm not contributing much. My love, has been a saint, cutting back his spending to help me afford my medications. But I still feel bad. I really wish Wal Mart and Sam's Club were here. They could use a healthy dose of 4 and 10 dollar prescriptions.

Don't get me wrong, the doctor here is great and she is very thorough and the quality of care for both medical and dentistry has been amazing. I just wish it could be a little bit cheaper for us foreigners. I have 9 months on my next visa before DJ and I need to decide where we end up so I really hope my books take off so I don't have to feel so bad about relying on DJ to get my meds for me.

But you know what? If being with this amazing man, and forging our future together means some hard times and expensive medications, I'm all in. No one has ever made me feel like he does. I feel important, useful, beautiful, sexy, smart, worth it and so much more. I hope all of you have someone in your life like that. If you don't, think about finding one.

Until Next Time...