Well we started the day not really knowing what to do…..unfortunately over the last month I have developed what we are hoping is not another invasive squamous cell carcinoma. But it’s reached the point we need to get it checked out for peace of mind.
We contacted World Nomads (our travel Insurer) and they told us the process we need to follow but could not help with any names or contacts for Dr’s here. We asked reception but all they could offer was to go to a chemist and speak to the pharmacist…..hmmmmm I don’t think so!
Given our tight time frames my plan was to find a Dr…have it excised completely (no time for the biopsy run around) and send it off for histology. If necessary they can email me the results and if follow up is required we can deal with that then. That’s plan A!
Vince went back to our room (as wifi only works in the lobby) and whilst he was gone the “Angel of Mercy”, in the form of Reza Alizadeh, visited me. He had been talking with the receptionist in Fasi and I hadn’t realised they were actually taking about me. He approached me and offered his help….I asked if he was a Dr, to which he replied no, but he could help me find the right one.
One of his daughters is a surgical nurse and he called her for advice. Before we knew it we were being whisked away by taxi to the MRI hospital. Within minutes Reza had us through the reception screening and down to emergency. He explained to me that the Dr was on rounds and we would need to wait. In less than 10min the Dr arrived and Reza was up and talking to him as he walked. The next thing we knew we were called to a desk where I had to give my details – via Passport, and Vince parted with the equivalent of Au$10 as the Dr wrote out a referral for me to see the specialist on the 9th floor. Reza explained that this is the top man in his field (Dr Sodayfi) and it is normally at least a 3 month wait to see him.
Through security and upstairs, Reza worked his magic on the ladies at the front desk and we were told to sit down. Vince parted with the equivalent of around Au$20 and we had a bit of a wait…but eventually we were called through. The specialist could speak English but also spoke with Reza in Farsi. He examined me with two nurses present….as well as Vince and Reza….so it was a bit of a party really! He agreed it should be excised completely and sent for histology ….Yahooo! He wrote me a referral to the top plastic surgeon in Shiraz (Professor M. Hossain Rajabian) who can perform the procedure under local in his consulting rooms. He also wrote me a script for some creams for my rash…..as he could see I was quite red in this heat.
Back into another taxi around 2.30pm but the Doctor’s rooms were closed and we will have to got back tomorrow…..but at least we are moving forwards.
I’m a firm believer that the Universe sends you what you need when you need it….and we needed Reza today! Vince says it reminds him of the program “Touched by an Angel”.
