John's Next Step

Working on medical clearance. I made it through all my medical tests, just waiting on results before I turn in my last task.  My guess is that I’ll have the results this week.  The doctor found one small thing that kept me on the 5 year plan (have fun in another 5 years), ugh. By the time I submit my last task I will have sent just over 70 pages scanned and converted to pdfs to complete my tasks.  Having a scanner so you can convert to pdf and send signed documents back to Peace Corps makes life a little easier. I have been told that I have clearance from dental.  I expect that I will be assigned follow-up tasks for additional vaccines.  Hopefully, not a problem.  I’m guessing that I’ll need to go to the country health department for the shots. Peace Corps sent a friendly reminder that January 12 th , my deadline, is coming.  If all of my initial tasks are not complete by the deadline then I my invitation will be revoked. I know some people...

All the blood work initially requested by the Peace Corps has been drawn.  I am just waiting on the late (polio titer) results.  That test has to be sent away, so it might be a few days before I get the results.  Not sure how much this is going to cost, something I will report later. This week I have an outpatient test as part of my physical.  I’m not going to say what it is, but men and women over 50 can sympathize.  After I get all the results, hopefully before Christmas, I should be able to complete my my medical tasks. Then Peace Corps medical can start looking at the results and ask for additional information and such as needed. For example, it looks like one of the vaccines that I got in Ghana did not take, so I might need to get another shot or two.  Future Peace Corps volunteers know that after the initial round of medical tasks are completed and reviewed by the nurses there may be additional tasks requests.  It is all part of the process...

As mentioned I’m working to get medically cleared for service.  Last week I was worried about getting a procedure needed for my physical scheduled and I’m happy to report that I was able to schedule it before the end of the year. However, I’m juggling multiple tasks and I’ve run into problems with a blood test - prove polio immunization.  I got an adult booster a few years ago, but I cannot find my childhood immunization records so I need to get a polio titer test this time around.  I’ve been working with my doctor to try to get it scheduled but there seems to be some sort of issue to order the test.  I’m continuing to wait for a response from my doctor as they try to see what they can do.  And so I wait.  I might have to go to a different lab and pay for the test out of pocket. Again, the joys of Peace Corps medical clearance. This is not a complaint about the medical clearance process, just a post describing the work and difficulties in getting cl...

I been working to get a medical test scheduled.  First, I had to wait for my doctor, then for the scheduling service to call (a week) .   “Leave a message.”   “They will call you back.”   …. The last was,  “We need to check with the nurse, they will call today (Friday) or Monday.” ….. I’m watching my Jan 12 th deadline get closer and wondering if this procedure can be scheduled before the end of December with my current insurance or if it will be delayed with the holidays and my new insurance next year will cause other delays. Oh, the joys of 50+ Peace Corps medical clearance. I was able to get an eye exam.  I don’t have eye insurance and after a rather expensive eye exam I found that I did not have a drastic change in my vision.  I am getting new glasses and when you have progressive tri-focal transitions the price is not going to be small.  The damage was about $500.  One more task down and twelve to go for medical.  Most of ...