Cisco to the hospital for his medical check

January 18, 2010 - Before we left The Netherlands we searched for a Canadian hospital to continue Cisco’s yearly medical checkups. After we found this hospital we connected them with the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, in order to transfer his medical files. On Friday January 8th, it was time to visit this hospital – named Cancer Care Manitoba.

The hospital is in Winnipeg, about a 2,5 hour drive from Rivers. Imagine we used to complain that we had to drive to Amsterdam… Anyway, we found the building, parked the car and reported to the child oncology office. Right away we see pale faces and bald children in the waiting room. Yep, that sure brings back some emotion, whether we want to or not.

First drawing blood, something that Cisco had been really nervous about, but the nurses did a very good job. After that an extensive examination by his new doctor, a very kind and professional pediatric hematologist, who had received all the medical files in time. My compliments to the hospital in Amsterdam. The doctor was married to a Dutch lady by the way and his parents-in-law still lived in Vianen, The Netherlands. Talking about a coincidence……

After the examination and after exchanging lots of information, we were done after approx. 2 hours and everything was fine. Cisco only has to come back in March for an ultrasound of his heart, something that needs to be done every other year. And then, to celebrate – we went to McDonalds! A routine that was born in The Netherlands and which we gladly continue here.

At the end of the week the hospital called to say that the test results of his blood were all okay too, so we won’t be visiting here except once a year.