The Impegnativa, one very important Italian document

Perhaps a better title for this post is The Italian Medical system, part XXX .  Seems I could write on this topic endlessly!  It's a subject I get asked about frequently in emails and in conversations with tourists from almost every country imaginable, but mostly from Americans wanting to hear first hand what I think about the differences between medical services here and back home.

I spent a bit of time this rainy morning over at Ospedale Civile while waiting for an appointment with an ear specialist, and that got me to remembering a previous visit to an ear specialist back about 6 years ago.  It was my famous visit to ex-Ospedale Giustinian, over in Dorsoduro, the afternoon I got lost and locked in the bowels of that huge, dark, scary Venetian building and ran into the worker wearing only his underwear. An afternoon I would like to be able to forget, but unfortunately that image is forever etched in my brain.

Last week when I was making this appointment, I flatly refused any and all possible appointment times offered at Giustinian. No, never again. Trust me. Never again. I'll go anywhere else, even to Mestre on the mainland, but not Giustinian. Thankfully this morning finds me at Ospedale Civile in Campo San Giovanni e Paolo.

I couldn't help but do a re-play of that horrifying afternoon in my head while passing time in the waiting room this morning. When my turn was called, I took my place at the sportello (counter) where the intake nurse processed my paperwork. Finished with all that, I asked if she could help me with one other matter.  I've been having a real run around trying to get appointments for injections in my knee for months now, and since Orthopedics share the same office space here I thought I'd just try my luck one more time. I already had an impegnativa (see photo above) for the injections, but for unknown reasons every time I tried to make the appointments, I was given another reason why they could not make an appointment on this doctor's calendar. It has been months, and still nothing. 

I'd discussed this problem with my regular doctor the week before, and she gave me yet another impegnativa for the injections with the advise to try again at the hospital appointment desk. I did try, but was told only my Orthopedic dr. could give this prescription, and I must wait on him.  Yes, I've been waiting. Months. And now the knee has decided this isn't fun any more.  So today, I explain that I now have 2 impegnativas and still no appointments. My regular doctor had also advised me that if I still didn't get an appointment to go take the matter up with the woman who runs the Office of Public Relations. That woman was my next stop this morning, after the ear dr. finished up with me.

The second secretary in the office, who was listening to my explanation of the multi-impegnativas,  turned from her computer screen to face me and told me to come see her when I had finished up with the ear doctor.

Back in the waiting area, I waited for my turn for the doctor. When my number was called, I was
introduced to a fairly young Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. Instead of asking me what brought me to him this morning, he asks what brought me to Italy. I should have been prepared, as this is a very common question, especially in any medical office. I proceed to give him the brief history of Karen becoming an Italian. Why is this so curious?

Next question from the dr. , " Is it true American doctors are all rich? My friend told me this. "
My response: "Doctors in the US do make more than most doctors in Italy, I am sure of this." He turns to his nurse and begins a fairly lengthy discourse on how medical services here in Italy are free or so inexpensive compared to in the US. He seemed quite unhappy with the whole scenario.

As he is examining me, he relays his family story of how his nonno (grandfather) immigrated after the war, how one uncle ended up in the US, another eventually in Germany. The examination conversation took a few more turns, ending with the doctor writing another impegnativa for yet a different examination. As you may have deduced by now, the impegnativa (see photo above)  is like the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket.  This gets you appointments with specialists; blood tests, x-rays and ekg's etc.; and prescriptions. It's a crucial document.

I remembered to stop by that secretary's desk on my way out. She took both of the impegnativa's for the knee injections, looked them over, hit a few keys on her computer and asked me if next Thursday at noon worked for me.  Absolutely yes. No matter what I might have planned for next Thursday, I will be cancelling. There was no way I'd miss an opportunity to get these shots. I asked her about the other 2 dates. She responded, "Don't worry. Get here on Thursday and we'll work all the rest of that out."  I thanked her profusely. She adds, "I remembered you from when you had your knee operated on. The American woman. "

Yes, the American woman. I must seem like a freak show to these Venetians.

Happy Anniversary to Mike!

Five years ago today,  my husband Mike arrived at Marco Polo airport with 4 suitcases and our corgi Leopold ,about to embark on one heck of a ride - our new life in Venice, Italy.

Mike may have drawn the short straw, getting the task of coming over from Baltimore first to settle into our furnished rented apartment in Santa Croce. His list of "To-Do"s during the 10 days before I arrived with our other dog Sam was full of some pretty tough chores: get the apartment registered at the comune with the new landlords, apply for his Permesso di Soggiorno, and basically scope out the lay of the land in an area of Venice we were unfamiliar with.

By the time I arrived, Mike knew where the closest grocery stores were, where to buy dog food (a critical item), had met the shopkeepers in Campo Santa Margherita, and had even bought a candleabra for the dining room table. And he had tackled all those nasty bureaucratic items to boot.

He took on the move without one complaint, ever. He willingly gave up his career, his family, his friends, his car, everything he knew in life to move to Venice. Thankfully the wizard granted him courage and bravery, and Mike has demonstrated those every day of the last 5 years. He already had heart.

Over these 5 years Mike has had 3 exhibitions of his art, 2 here in Venice and one in San Remo. He's had 2 commissioned paintings and continues to sell both his oils and his photographs. His first novel is sold on Amazon, the second is in the process of seeking a publisher, and his third is currently in the works on his desk.  No, he hasn't been sitting idle!

Yesterday one of my friends sent me a message saying " Sounds like retirement is going well."  This isn't quite retirement. I'd say it's a "re-inventing".  We not only moved to a new country, we started a new business. We're learning the language, immersing ourselves in the culture, making new friends, exploring every nook and cranny in Venice, and  traveling to new places around the world.

We're happy. Really, really happy.  Most days we walk around with grins as big as a cheshire cat,  pinching ourselves in disbelief that we're here, even after 5 years. We traded in the roller coaster ride we were on for 2 vaporetto passes and the good life in this city- this incredible, grand, glorious city.

  Happy Anniversary, Mike!  Here's to another 5, plus 5, plus 5.......

Living the dream - and a big case of nerves !!!!

In just 2 days, at about this time I will be on a plane headed to Italy with my dog Sam. Finally!!! I have been a huge wreck since Mike left a week ago, not sure why. We've been apart before and I have not felt this anxious ever. Could be I have a long long list of "stuff" that has to get done and very little time. How did we leave so many little tasks undone, like the load of stuff to go to Goodwill thats stacked in the basement? Or picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy? Not to mention the things that got added to my list that I hadn't even planned on, like returning the cable box to the cable company!

I have no choice but to plow through the list, but I'm still feeling overwhelmed. My goal for tonight is to finish packing - well, I've only sort of started, so I can't accurately call this task "finish". More like "pack".. all of it. I have things pulled out that I want to take, folded even, but I am going to have to sort through and remove items. I have way too much. Hopefully I'll be able to come to grips with the right amount of stuff to take and just get it done. How many pairs of shoes are too many???

I'm not the only one having a bad week. Sam, my dog, has been terribly lonesome for Leopold (our other dog), I think. I can only imagine the thoughts running through his mind about where Leo might be. I believe he thinks Leo has escaped from the backyard, and that he must go search for him. I'm thinking that must be the case because Sam has snuck out past a gate three times this week. Two of those times he squeezed through a pretty small crack, the third time workers forgot to close a gate which allowed Sam to breeze right through. In every case, I have had to stop, get in the car and scour the neighborhood for him. After three episodes, I called the vet cause I am concerned about how he will manage on the flight on Thursday. The vet prescribed an anti-anxiety med for him. After all his escapes, I am the one needing his medication!

Blogging has slipped off my "must-do" list lately. I have big plans to resume once I arrive with daily blogs of everything we do as we acclimate to our new life. I can't wait for Thursday's flight, and Friday's arrival.

Living the dream- Mike leaves for Italy tomorrow!

I cannot believe how fast the last few weeks have flown by. We've been waiting for this for over a year now---and tomorrow Mike and his dog Leopold fly to Venice.
He is packed and ready, but my stomach is turning flips tonight!

Mike has been putting items in his suitcases for the last several days now. I've had moments where I was regretting our decision to send him first. I really want to travel together! But, I still have the notion that one of us over there on the ground first to check out the apartment is the right way to go. If there is something he needs, we have time for him to let me know and I can try to get it into my luggage. We're both taking extra suitcases.

I insisted he take towels. I love Italy, but I don't like their idea of bath towels. They are like dish towels to me --and the thin ones at that! I have to admit, I love soft, fluffy, thick towels. So two towels went into his bags, 2 more will go with me. We will be hanging them out on the clothesline since we don't have a dryer in the apartment there, but at least I will have thick towels!! No dryer may be the biggest adjustment I'll have to face.

We also packed a set of sheets. We have no clue yet if there are pillows or a blanket in the apartment, we're crossing our fingers on that one. Mike also took all of his favorite kitchen utensils in a shoe box, a few of his cookbooks, and his french press.

Even Leopold, the dog, is ready. He's been acclimating to his crate for the last 2 weeks, doing fine with it. The dogs both got microchipped, and all of their paperwork has been completed by the vet. We've checked and double checked with the airline. We're absolutely sure we have everything necessary for them.

Tomorrow around noon we'll load up the car and head for Dulles airport. We're about an hour and a half from there. Once there we have to check in Leo and Mike. The flight is from DC to Frankfurt, then a connecting flight from Frankfurt to Marco Polo airport in Venice.

We were in a panic all last week since we had not heard any word about how to pick up keys for the apartment yet. Finally we made contact with Nicola, the woman we have been negotiating this with since October. She tells us she is sending her father to the airport to meet up with Mike and Leo. I will be on pins and needles all morning on Tuesday waiting to hear how everything works out.

Wish us luck!!!

Living the dream--- what's up with this Life Coach business???

Not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me about this "moving to Venice" business. Yes, it is truly incredible. Every person I talk to has pretty much the same reaction....awestruck that we are actually doing this! I get hit with all kinds of questions but mostly people want to hear the whole darn story. What makes us want to move,? How are we going to do it? How can we give up our lives here?? When I start telling our story and get to mentioning my use of a life coach, eyes start to get even wider. Then I have to get into a sidebar on what a life coach is and how I found one, and how it worked for me.

Because I feel so strongly about the positive experiences I've had using a life coach, because I get asked so often, and because it's such an important element of our whole adventure, it warrants a place here in my blog.

When I was pretty clear on the fact that I wanted to move to Venice, I knew I needed help. I had done alot of reading ( self-help kinds of topics) so I knew what a life coach was. I also had the sense that was what I should look into. What I wanted was a mentor.. a cheerleader even, someone who would help me get over the hurdles when I was feeling like it was too much for me.

When people ask how I found my life coach, I tell them I turned to the internet for research. I found several life coaches on the web in my area, and started calling them to have an inital conversation. One of the first three I talked to was Bill Pullen, of Pullen Associates in Washington, DC.

During my initial phone conversation with Bill, I could sense that this person seemed to really "get" where I was coming from. When we met in our first face to face appointment, I quickly confirmed that my initial instincts were correct. Bill did have a firm grasp of what I wanted and needed. I could tell that I'd make a wise choice having him provide guidance and support during this venture. There was no need to look elsewhere, I knew I had found the right coach. I can't put my finger on it, but I think when you know it's the right connection, you go with it.

Bill helped me work through what I call "the plan". It's more like a roadmap that has helped me every step of the way- from the original idea to the final steps of getting ourselves moved over there. Whenever I could sense an obstacle, I would fall back on my plan and the absolute confidence I had in myself now. I have no doubt, none whatsoever, that I would have faltered if I had not worked with Bill.

I must say that for my particular purposes, I only had sessions with Bill for about 4-5 months. During that time we had 3 monthly meetings, generally over the phone. We'd discuss my progress on particular tasks that I had set out for myself and then plan what was next to accomplish. Even after I stopped having meeting time with Bill, I have never stopped focusing on the end goal, using my plan to guide me.

Fortunately for me, my husband Mike has been completely on board and as committed to this adventure as I am. I never had to sell him on making this move. Also fortunately for me I have had Bill Pullen in the background as sounding board for my ideas right from the beginning.

So- what have I got to say about life coaches? I could be the poster child for all Life Coaches of the world. It was worth every penny and then some. Using a life coach has been a life changing experience for me. I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who feels they need change of some sort. Whether its career or personal in nature, if you need change--- I encourage you to do something wonderful for yourself by enlisting a life coach.

NOTE: This is not a commercial for Bill Pullen by any means. Bill has consented to the use of his name in my blog.