the Doctor

First let me say that Mumbai is a very long way from here. I would not know of the terrorist attack there had Andrea not told me. All is well here.


I awoke this morning to Geshe Tulga at my door. He said he came to visit me last night and was already asleep. He said he was very concerned that I might be very sick and wanted me to go to the doctor. I tried to assure him that it was just a head cold and that I was on the mend. He wasn't buying it so I gave in. He was so sincere in his concern and even more worried that I didn't want to go to see the doctor. When I told him that I would go he was all smiles.

We made the 15 minute trip in an autorickshaw to Camp Tonba (First Camp) there we went to the Tibetin Menzakang. We waited while the staff completed their morning prayers and I was taken right in. I felt kind of bad about this since there were others there ahead of me, but when you are swept up in a tide of Tibetan hospitality combined with concern there is no fighting this force.

There room was small with 2 wooden tables and a stool next to each. A doctor sat at each table. Mine had me sit on the stool and asked me how he could help me. I explained what was going on and the exam began. First he felt my left pulse. He began lightly and then a little deeper. He moved his fingers a little and felt it in different spots. this went of for several minutes. He then felt my right pulse. At one point he looked up at me and said "you have been having some back trouble" It was a statement not a questions. He asked me for how long and what I had been doing about it. I told him about chiropractic and how long I have been going. He said "It gives you some relief but it then comes back" again a statement. He asked me about my appetite and how frequently I urinate and then told me. "Your kidneys are out of balance. How long will you be here? I can help you with this" I explained that I would only be here a few more days. He that was to bad but if I wanted to he would give me some Tibetan medicine to take home and that if I took it as prescribed in 3 months time I would be fine. I agreed and he wrote me a prescription.

As far as my cold goes he wrote me a prescription for that as well and told me to start right away. In case you are wondering TIBETAN MEDICINE TASTES NASTY! There I think that is clear enough.

Bilbo