Day 6: Medical Check

Today we had our annual medical checkup. The last one was in August, but for whatever reason this time it took place now, in the spring.

We've never had the physical in the same place.

My first year here, we had to go down to the local hospital both in the morning and then again in the afternoon. At least, that's how I remember it. I even think my supervisor told me I had to take an hour or two off to go down there, which I thought was a joke, so I didn't. (I'm not that stupid!)

My second year here, I think half of the physical took place here at school, but the other half was down at the hospital again.

Last year, for the first time, the whole thing took place somewhere (I don't exactly remember) in the neighboring town, which was kind of cool, because, even though that made the process a bit inconvenient, it was a good chance to kill some time.

Today, for the first time ever, the entire physical took place right here at school.

The medical checkup is pretty basic. They measure our weight and height (I've actually grown about 1 cm since I came to Japan!), check our eyesight and hearing (both very good), check our blood pressure, measure our waist, take a chest X-ray, administer an EKG, test our urine, and take our blood for testing.

The one other thing they do if you are over 40 (that would be me) is test you for gastric cancer. I took the test my first year here, but I skipped it the next two times. From what I understand, the prevalence of stomach cancer among Japanese is significantly greater than it is among Americans, so I just didn't feel the need to have my stomach checked year after year. I went ahead and took the test this year, though, for safety's sake. Next year, I am definitely passing again. (Apparently, part of the reason so many Japanese get gastric cancer is that they consume too much salt, too many preserved foods, and not enough fresh fruits and veggies, and I can certainly attest to that!)

One of the perks of my job is certainly the health care that I receive. The only other time I've had coverage this good was when I lived in Europe. American health coverage, for the most part, stinks, and is one reason I prefer not to work in the United States.