These are my boobs. Nice, huh? This is also my favorite picture of my boobs. They look perky here, yes? Firm. Perhaps because they are smashed flat between ice cold steel and plexi-glass, molded into perfection.
I mean, they ARE perky in real life, of course. Ask anyone.
OK, don’t ask anyone. They aren’t perky. They could be again for a reasonable sum. At least they are clear of any Irregular Cells. (Although how anyone would know by looking at this is beyond me. What are all those lightening bolts?) Anyway, I’ll have to be satisfied with having healthy boobs.
Jeez, I just noticed they are different sizes. And shapes. Are everyone’s? Well, I can’t agonize over that.
In Costa Rica, when you get any medical tests – blood, CAT scan, MRI, whatever – you walk out with all the tests so you can pore over them at home. Or post them on the internet. (Because the world needs to see them.)
In the states, you can’t just call up and order a mammogram. A doctor has to do it for you which adds the cost of a doctor’s visit to the price tag. For what? (I know the answer: for my own good. Thank you, AMA.) Here, you just make an appointment, get the test, pay and go. So simple! And, I’m sorry, doctors aren’t radiologists… why would they bother having the X-ray in their files? (I know the answer: for my own good. And a doctor’s visit fee. Hmph.)
My last mammogram was three years ago when we first got here: $42 or something like that, including an ultrasound. Thursday’s was $80 (mammo and ultrasound). The price of everything has gone up here but still, so cheap! And the place I went to, Clinica California, features instant digital imaging: my boobs showed up on the TV screen while the X-ray was humming. Pretty cool. And everyone says that radiologist is exceptionally good at spotting bad cells in between the lightening bolts. He looked and said, “All clear.” I’m going with it.
Here’s a little John Prine background music for the rest of the post. I’m singing all his songs these days (Thank you, kmcgang!) My favorite song is Crazy As A Loon but I couldn’t find a youtube of it. I guess I identify with it right now… But this here’s a goodie, too. Plus there’s a message. See if you can figure it out:
In other news, we are staying in Costa Rica. Hal is never leaving so if I want to stay married, I’ll have to stay here. That’s not exactly true… if I insisted on leaving, he’d come with me. But he wouldn’t be happy about it! I’m perfectly happy to live here, as long as I can visit my buds and relatives. I still want to spend a couple of months late this summer in Key West. There is some business to take care of (and hopefully expand), the boys can get their GEDs, driver’s licenses, we can take a class at the college… all the same reasons I talked about before. I’m anxious to hang with my old good buddies for a bit, see my Mom’s new home in Atlanta, maybe get all the way up to KY to see the siblings.
I feel like I need (don’t tell Hal I used this word) closure. Re-live that old life for a bit, then say a proper good bye to it. We never said goodbye, really. Just came for awhile, then never went back. I need a little you-know-what.
After that, I’m ready to come home and get on with it. Next February, we’ll qualify for permanent residency and I’ll be able to work. Doing what, I don’t know, but something. Probably real-estate related – I’m anxious to do ANYTHING! I think that’s one of the reasons I’m so hot to spend time in Key West: I can work there. Even if I don’t make any money (although that would be a drag.) Just wonder around, looking at houses, talking to old and new customers. Heck, I’ll waitress, I don’t care! Just get out of the house for awhile.
Sometimes I think it’s so strange how this whole moving-to-Costa Rica adventure has all worked out, you know? In spite of ourselves. In spite of everything.
Nice to hear from you again, Saratica, and glad that you’re moving towards a decision about settling down.
And as to what are all those “lightening bolts,” I can’t resist suggesting that they’re a bunch of little bolts that keep things lightened (i.e., lifted up and “perky”). Sadly, all my bolts seem to be doing the opposite of lightening–I’ve got the opposite problem: “road-hugging weight” as the car makers used to call it.
…Chuck
I was told that foreigners cannot work in Costa Rica, regardless of their residency status. Was I misinformed?
How much would have had to pay in the USA for the same procedure Sally do you know?
I am delighted you have quelled the thoughts of leaving Costa Rica. Just go visit and come back home,,,here.
I’m curious about the permanent residency. My attorney and immigrations dicked around and I lost a year + trying to get signatures on my papers from Miami that were submitted stamped but unsigned.
My question is how many years do you need to have temp. residency (3?) and who are you using to do it?
Congrats on the boobs!
Sara……you never cease to surprise me, I kept checking daily for your ‘real’ post .and what do I see? a mamogram lol
As for this “In the states, you can’t just call up and order a mammogram” its crazy isn’t it? I asked my wife “how much does x cost in the US” it turns out you may never ever find out…..because either a) the insurance takes care of it or b) no insurance= you are so screwed it really doesn’t matter what the price is, you still can’t pay it
I had another encounter with US health system when my wife tried to get a replacement of her contacts and her prescription was expired……and I had yet another one when I tried to order some medicine for one of my dogs (about 50% cheaper in the US believe it or not) BUT……of course I needed a prescription
PLEASE don’t try to save me……SERIOUSLY
Similarly it is MY stuff (Tests/mamograms/x rays etc)…give it back or ELSE ….I am of course puzzled as to why you Americans put up with ALL THAT CRAP……yet its full blown revolution for other things
I guess each culture has a tolerance threshold ‘built in’ and for different things.
I am glad you are ok and thanks for the post. We (loyal readers) are pretty demanding for new content. š
So happy you are staying, yeah, yeah, yeah! Like I would be all alone in the whole Central Valley if you left, well kind of! Nice pics by the way.
’bout time…
I’m trying to figure out how to get a photocopy of my prostate gland to post on my website.
Seriously, if possible, we are delighted to hear (read) that y’all are staying. Very self-centered I am, I know.
Let’s all figure out some ways to get Sally some employment in CR. Donations, anyone?
Sally, I’m so happy your boobs are OK. It’s scary when something looks wrong on those mammos, and I know getting a “clean bill” is always a relief. Hurray!
Also, congrats on making a decision. I hope you have a terrific time in the States and get that closure you’re looking for.
husband and i love john prine..being from texas that i am…and iris is so great too…small world that you would know of and love their music. very cool. i also need a mammogram, has been 3 years, last one was in n. carolina….i will truck over to the place you went, especially important to do this since i am bombarding my body with hormone replacemtent and we all know the scary stuff of estrogen! i might email youfor the phone number for the mammogram place. i am among your fans and very grateful for your healthy boobs and that you will stay in costa rica….i have my moments when i would like to go back, but my husband will never ever leave cr. reality, i would not last 2 months in the usa. once the temp got below 70 iĀ“d be on the next plane outa there.
Well, Chuck, my lightening bolts need a tune-UP…
James, you can work here with permanent residency or as a citizen.
Scott – I meant to find out but forgot. I will find out what a mammogram costs and let you know. Most cities have a program or outfit (like Zonta or Planned Parenthood) that will fund mammograms so they are very inexpensive.
Teri, I’d recommend http://www.residencyincostarica.com. They have a great reputation. Javier is the brother who lives in the states and his sister (can’t remember her name) lives here. They are very involved with the new immigration legislation and very good at responding to inquiries.
Ok, Wolfie, I’m back (I think)… Here’s my take on why we put up with so much bs for so long: we are all working too hard to pay taxes and must leave the “details” to the gov. We trusted them. We are fools. Except those of us who got out while the gettin’ was still good.
I can’t leave yet, Robbie. I don’t know how to do massage yet… I’m taking your class (www.crmassageschool.com)!
Thanks, Glenn. I think…
Robert, if you can get a picture of your prostate gland, send it to me to post here. I’m sure everyone wants to see it. Actually… I would like to see a picture of a prostate gland. Hal always turns the lights out! oh, and send money.
Thanks, Christine. Staying abreast (get it? a breast???) of U.S. politics makes staying seem like the smarter choice.
Yeah, Deb, I’m thinking after the blush wore off the rose, I’d not be happy there. It would be the same old same old. Why not do that here? It’s still cheaper here, I don’t feel as under the thumb as in the states and life is waaaaay more peaceful here.