Swedish Healthcare

Another tough day at the office...

Actually, this week, I am really trying to get some things accomplished.  Last week was all about socializing which meant that the "work" piled up on my desk and has to be addressed.  It takes so long to fumble my way through the Swedish paperwork that arrives all of the time by mail - it has to be translated, prioritized and often paid.  I am still not very competent with the crazy online banking system so what should be fast is NOT!  Whew. Just figuring out what is junk mail and what is not, is time consuming!

One priority today was sending in my banking information to the social security office.  We found out that we get paid by the government to "support" our 3 children that live with us!  Woo hoo!  I just needed to fill out and send in a form so that we can start to receive our $555/month for being parents!  All parents receive this, not based on income, just the number of kids that you have.

Next on my agenda today was to go in for my annual mammogram.  Less than 3 weeks after we arrived here, I received a letter stating that I was entitled to a yearly mammogram as a resident of Sweden between the ages of 40 and 74, and that an appointment had been scheduled for me.  So, I headed off to a very nice and well run hospital and with very typical Swedish efficiency, got my mammogram done and was home within an hour.  Maybe a healthcare system that provides quality and preventative care for all is not such a bad thing...

This afternoon, it was Coco's turn to have an appointment.  I found a groomer that sounded great, and with the rain and mud and city streets, Coco was in desperate need of a bath and a haircut!  Coco hopped on the bus with me and we headed out to one of the adjacent islands.  She did a great job on the bus and the groomers did a fantastic job, so it was a very successful trip!  Walking home from the bus stop in the misty rain did not do wonders for her new "do" but she still looks great!

While Coco was at the "spa" for two hours, I met a friend at wonderful little French cafe for our afternoon fika!  Monica and I enjoyed some great little French treats and I was even able to bring home some fantastic macarons for the kids.  They did take the Swedish thing too far though by having black licorice creme brulee and macarons!  I like licorice but those do not sound good at all!

Tabitha got a wonderful scholarship offer today from Tulane!  We are all very proud!  Her decision is not going to be an easy one in the spring!