The Xi'an Files: Health Check

In order to obtain residency and work in China, Brandon and I had to get health checks. I was misinformed and told I could get a health check in the US and bring an official letter and health file to China and avoid a Chinese health check. I would like to ring the person who told me this by the neck.

We first had to wait in a long line to get health forms and then I filled them out. It just asked basic health history. Then we got our picture taken and attached it to the form. Pictures cost $6.66 each. We couldn't smile in the picture, but who would smile being at this place?!

We then got into another huge line to turn in our paperwork and paid $100 USD each for the health checks and got different forms for the nurses to fill out as I went through the health check. We got into another line and had our blood drawn. After they drew blood they didn't give us a band aid or wrap it with a cotton ball or tape. They handed us a q-tip and told us to fervently press for 3 minutes. Yeah right. With three kids? Of course my q-tip fell off so I started squirting blood everywhere. A few nurses ran over and helped me out.

We next had to get a urine sample. We had to pee in a little cup that was the size of a 1/8 cup. It has hard to squat, hold the cup and then wipe and zip up my pants but I got the job done. Then we had to pour the urine into a beaker and place it in a tray.

We then went upstairs and go chest x-rays. I asked a lady what they are looking for. Her reply was awesome: "nobody knows". I'm pretty sure I was glowing when I left radiology as they didn't give me the lead cover to cover up the rest of my body.

At this point Brandon was done with his check up because he had correct paperwork so he and the kids went to the car to wait. I then you guessed it, got into another line and had a ECG scan.

They had me lay on some sheets, the same sheets everyone else had been laying on that day and probably days before and hooked me up the metal things. After a minute I was done and they moved the curtains and had another person come in.

I then went to another level and got an ultrasound. They had me lay on my back, sides and stomach. It was kind of sad to get an ultrasound and not see a heartbeat or find out the gender of a baby.

I then went and stood on a machine that told them my weight, height and body fat percentage.

After that I was supposed to get an eye exam but the nurse shewed me away and my escort told me they just put on my form that I have 20/20 vision.

I didn't see reports but I guess I passed because I am still here. The whole experience wasn't as bad as I imagined. Someone told me that they were going to have me strip down naked in front of everyone and that wasn't the case.