Health Assessment at Prince Court (July 2024)

Time to derobe, spread ‘em and generally do things that make us uncomfortable. Ah yes, it’s medical month in Kuala Lumpur! We’ve been waiting four years for our first official health assessments since we first learned about them. And I don’t mean checking five things in your blood, standing on a scale, and checking your BP they call a check-up in the States. This was the most mind-blowing and comprehensive health experience we’ve ever had….

The Prince Court Medical Centre experience* is one that is catching wind significantly in the nomad community, and with good reason. It begins by scheduling your appointment online which can be done within a week or two of your appointment. It’s best to do early morning (8:00) because you’re instructed to fast for 8 hours prior. You then show up for your appointed time to a lobby that looks similar to a luxe hotel, complete with a friendly concierge, pretentious coffee shop, cozy leather chairs, and a lunchtime pianist with smooth jazz tunes.

*Yes, I’m calling this an experience.

You then go to the health assessment screening parlor where we were greeted by these friendly ladies…

…and downed lots (more) water to prep for our bloody and urinary adventures of the morning. There is also a table full of recovery “food” after your lab work is over, but the good coffee machine and cookies are in the secret back lounge. And yes, they serve you cookies. So that seems to be the same glucose-raising protocol as back home, regardless of whether or not you earned that sugar. Fortunately, we did. 

I (Mandy) was called first and as always, informed the lab tech that I am a “layer downer.” His English was so good he understood immediately that he had a potential “code pink passer outer” on his hands and escorted me to a separate room where after poking around on my tiny vein, brought in another guy for reinforcement. Meet “Q,” aka “The Vampire” who provided excellent blood-sucking service.

In fact, the Vampire was so good at his job, he gave ME credit commending my breath work, saying I actually helped calm HIM down! 🤣 Probably also the tattoo on my arm that says “breathe” located near his target operation.

Yes, welcome to a picture of my pee, which was deposited directly into a lab tech’s (gloved) hand rather than through an elusive secret door. 

Hold on for the BMI ride!! After this, Greg and I became ships in the night, as we began performing other tests from general vitals to hearing, eye test, EKG, treadmill stress test, pap smear (for the one with that equipment), and meeting for 20 minutes with our GPs for the day to go through family and medical history, as well as any concerns. It was a bizarre experience because she kept asking me…,”is there anything else?!” The only thing I could think of is how much that treadmill jiggling made me have to pee (again)…

After taking care of that, I was then given printed instructions to head to radiology where they asked me immediately if my bladder was full. And when I told them I’d just emptied it, they pointed to the water jug and told me to drink up before my abdominal screenings. In the meantime, I got whisked to a chest x-ray, breast ultrasound (mammogram also a choice), and a three-region bone density scan.

By then, I waited a bit with a very full bladder which felt fabulous when they began noodling an ultrasound around on all my pelvic and abdominal organs. 🤣 

By this time, it was nearly noon and I was bordering hangrytown. I still had all my ophthalmologist screenings left, having no clue what happened to that dude I came with. On my way to ophthalmology, I passed an advertisement for this. I’m quite content with my back-pain free natural pancake package, but for those looking for enhancement, the cost is about $5500 in KL. Not sure how that compares…

Fortunately, Greg and I passed each other on the elevator where he informed his growling wife that we still had to go to our “diet and wellness counseling” at the “Lifestyle Modification Center” which was presented based on our morning bloodwork. Greg naturally used this as ammo to tell me our glucose was “impressively low” suggesting I need to allow his significantly frisky sweet tooth more ice cream and cheesecake. 🤣 In addition, we both were informed other levels were great, we had no cancer markers and no rheumatoid arthritis or inflammation factors. Whoohoo!! 

Uh. This is not what we learned in school?! Half a plate of veggies and only four grains?! But where do the Doritoes go?

Of course, the nutritionist also had helpful charts which show how much sugar is in things. The Malaysians, like many modern cultures, have a big problem with sugar, but their issues often stem from sugary tea consumption, rather than soda.

The fats…of which our diet lady informed us that controversial coconut is not a good healthy fat. Boo! We respectfully disagree.

Speaking of, can we puh-lease eat? Yes, finally at about 1:30 we were released for our lunch, which was included in the price of the health assessment. Yum. This was one of several dining options in the hospital. 

We then reported back to the screening center to wait for our GP where Greg happily ate more cookies (and Mandy quietly made Marge Simpson grunts.) 

15 minutes later we met again with bubbly, yet very knowledgeable and professional, Dr. Nora…

…who reviewed our entire book of health reports, including imaging, which was then handed over to use without a fist fight, any additional forms to sign, or an attorney present. They also sent us a PDF copy when requested.

Overall, we had no major red flags, and for the minor things, we were scheduled for follow-ups with specialists within a week, which included a cardiologist and vascular surgeon for Mandy and a dermatologist, ophthalmologist and gastroenterologist for Greg, which was a freebie consultation thanks to his accompanying 45th birthday spa experience of his first lower body tubal cleanse. We’ve had friends who’ve had surgery within a week following less desirable news.

At about 3:00, our day ‘o fun was complete and it was time to plunk down our credit card, which was $385 for Greg and $438 for Mandy and included the previous. And yes, we got the bonus fun package for the 50+ group, which gave us additional servicing despite our 40-something ages. We also received an itemized receipt for every single test we’d had run that day.

This did not include the specialist follow-up visits which we’d soon learn should probably be done elsewhere because the prices were much higher than other medical tourism experiences we’ve had. But convenience, prestige, and the desire for “medical month” to be a wrap won out. 

We did get a 10% discount by using a Master Card, however.

Mandy’s cardio follow-up included a tiny non-robotic version of a holter monitor to check up on her PVCs. She saw a distinguished cardiologist, who had his fellowship at Stanford, and was assured she was still on track with her current medicine. This cost $264 for the monitor and consultations. This has cost as low as $75 in other countries, but I guess Stanford costs extra.

Other consults, some at sister hospital GlenEagles, were $50-75 each and Greg’s colonoscopy was $886. We burned a lovely hole in our $3k annual medical budget but this is why we have it…to be proactive with our health and this is certainly the most proactive we’ve ever been. We’re grateful for the opportunity to see such fantastic nurses and renowned doctors in such an efficient and pleasant environment. 

We also got our updated Typhoid Fever vaccines, which were $38 each and seriously considered the new dengue fever one for $75/each. However, it unfortunately requires two doses, three months apart which is logistically impossible at the time. 

All in all, although we felt like a couple of boomers based on the number of medical appointments we experienced in KL, this is undoubtedly the best medical experience we’ve ever had. We “look forward” to regular screenings in the future as we two mid-lifers continue navigating life…ungracefully as Greg said in our wedding vows.

Alcohol and anesthesia can mix, right get?! Post cleanse, it was time to celebrate ❤️🍺

Our Housesit in Kuala Lumpur

While in Kuala Lumpur, we quite eagerly settled into our first consecutive month in one place since Buenos Aires back in September 2023. And this housesit couldn’t be any more ideal, thanks to a large comfortable home (with all the streaming services!), a completely desolate swimming pool and gym, a jacuzzi, an American-sized kitchen with accompanying appliances, and two adorable kitties. July is undoubtedly a month of recuperating, medical appointments, productivity and planning. <insert sigh.>

This month we got to cater to playful rescue kittens, Vinny and Juara. When we arrived, Juara was still wearing a cone on her head because she sometimes gets a bit of separation anxiety and scratches her own neck open. 😬 However, as long as there are people around, she seems much more chill and we were just able to take the cone off. Fortunately for her, we’re very interested in being homebodies this month, which gives the homeowners a lot of comfort while they’re gone for a month back to the States. 

By the way, if you’d like to help out pet owners in exchange for a free place to stay, or are a pet owner and wants to make sure your baby is basked in love while you’re away, we still recommend Trusted Housesitters a hundred times over. Please use our link to join with 25% off.

The complex pool, which we always have completely to ourselves. Mandy immediately went to Decathlon and bought goggles and swim shorts and indulged in a swim routine every other day. Such a perk!

Ok… a couch this big doesn’t even computer in our lives. What do we do with it?!

The cold water jacuzzi, because you really wouldn’t want hot water in Kuala Lumpur. That said, the weather was way more rainy and cloudy than we anticipated. That said, it suited our desire to homebody all the more. 

The bedroom, which feels like our old one complete with a map over it! 

The supermarket is a ten-minute walk at a five-story mall which makes shopping a breeze. There is also a massive food court where we can indulge in Malay, Indian or Chinese food. 

But we weren’t really that interested because Mandy was more than ready to cook in a legit kitchen and the supermarket selection is amazing…including gorgeous purple and black peppers!! And other produce to die for! (Although too much plastic as usual.)

Of course there were some things in the market that are less appealing. 🤣

This market trip ran about $75 for the week. 

A sampling of the things we’ve made so far: Shakshuka, peanut butter curry, smoothie bowls made with Japanese sweet potatoes which gave it the pretty purple shade, Mongolian chickpeas, salmon and cream cheese open face sandwiches, and homemade salsa (because we could finally find and afford the tortilla chips.)

Snake fruit, which looks true to its name but tastes a bit like another tropical option, jackfruit. We’re not really fans but have a lot of it to eat!