We Cure and We Care
Roy (alias) has been leading an active life in his 70s. He and his wife Linda have been longing for seeing China. In this September, they finally stepped on China’s land and from Beijing to Shanghai then to Xi’an. They were so carried away with the natural landscape and cultural heritages which are so different from that of America. However, an emergency of retinal detachment put their joy of sightseeing trip to an abrupt stop.
“At first, I didn’t really think it was a serious problem,” Roy recalled. After all, anyone would be terrified to find themselves ill and had to see a doctor in a foreign country. “I was lucky to be brought immediately to Chengdu AIER East Eye Hospital for examinations before I went on my traveling to Tibet.”
Indeed, Roy’s situation could not afford further traveling. Retinal detachment could lead to blindness if it kept developing and finally caused macular detachment.
Dr. Hu Jianbing, the president of Chengdu AIER East Eye Hospital and a vitreo-retinal expert checked on Roy who was hospitalized immediately. Treatment plan was made and all preoperative examinations were expedited.
“The doctor was trustworthy. Everybody was professional in what they do. We also noticed that all the facilities and equipment were state-of-the-art. Though scared I was on the news I had to be hospitalized, I never worried a bit about my surgery.”Roy says. Staff from the International Medical Service Department spoke fluent English and spent a lot of time every day to keep the couple accompanied, “as our advocates, translators and hand-holders,” according to Linda, Roy’s wife who has been with him throughout.
The operation went smoothly. Calm and joy returned to the couple who never forgot themselves as tourists. They toured through the big hospital and were impressed how friendly the entire hospital staff was. “People smiled at us wherever we went. I was kept being reminded by medical staff to always lower my head and look down so the silicon oil could work best to support my surgically restored retina. Though I often could not help to raise my head to look around, which I shouldn’t, I was and I’m always grateful to people’s care here.”
Now back home in the United State, the couple has been keeping in touch with the hospital. The recent email delivered their gratitude and updated AIER East with Roy’s progress on recovery.
“Hi Ada,
What a delight to hear from you! We still cannot believe how fortunate we were to end up inAier East Eye Hospital with you and Alice as our advocates, translators and hand-holders.
We feel lucky that we fell into the experienced hands of Dr. Hu and his thorough medical team.
Roy says that if the hospital wants to interview us more, we’d be happy to return to China soon!
Roy has an appointment with our doctor on Thursday, so we’ll know better how he is doing then. We’ve been fastidiously doing the drops, and are hopeful for a good outcome. He is getting drops for slightly elevated eye pressure.
Please keep in touch.
Best to everyone,
Linda and Roy”
