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Sunday
17
November 2002
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This column will offer my personal experiences
here in Costa Rica of how I am trying to answer
Henry David Thoreaus fundamental question How,
since life is short and one's years are
numbered, can one live most abundantly? I
have had the opportunity, through my years, to
really explore his concept that you measure a
mans wealth by the number of things he does
NOT need. I will focus each week on one item
that I have concluded I need to live most
abundantly.
The
topic of these columns will not be in any
hierarchical order, rather, I will discuss a
recent experience that has reinforced what I
consider to be a personal need. This week I was
reminded of one of my foremost needs: the
avoidance of PAIN.
Last
Sunday I started having a severe toothache. I
had not required the services of a Dentist up to
this point, so I had to ask for recommendations.
I asked Walter Holloway, the 68-year-old man
from Arizona who rents our apartment, and shares
my need to avoid pain, if he knew of one. He was
enthusiastic in recommending one he had used in
San Jose. He claimed he was very competent AND
inexpensive.
When
I called the Dentists office Monday morning,
I was very surprised to be put directly on with
the Dentist. He listened attentively to my
description of the problem and asked if I could
come in that afternoon at 2PM.
When
I went in to the office, I was greeted by one of
his assistants and only waited 5 minutes to be
taken to one of his workrooms. He entered,
introduced himself and asked about my feelings
about living here in Costa Rica and then about
my condition. He discovered I am taking high
blood pressure medicine and explained he would
use a special local anesthetic for this. His
English is excellent and his attitude of
compassion very sincere. He was very proud to
show me his state of the art equipment and
explained his commitment to sanitation and his
desire to perform all procedures without pain.
After
a brief exam, he recommended a root cannel. I
accepted and he proceeded with as painless a
root cannel as I have had anywhere in the
States. I returned Friday to have the permanent
seal put on the cap he had drilled through. This
visit was tougher because he went in and cleaned
out the root, but Dr Chen was very pleasant and
concerned about avoiding pain.
George & Dr Sergio Chen
Now
for the real avoidance of pain part of this
experience, the cost, 20,000 Colones. That is $54.05
US dollars for everything. You could pay for an
airline ticket down here for the difference in
cost.
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