C'est Ma Vie

I took a leave of absence from work this Monday for my visite medical. I went to the ANAEM in Strasbourg and I was surprised by how fast the procedure was. I read in some blogs that there are too many people in Lyon or Paris – so I’m glad I got to do mine in Strasbourg.

I was there a little after 8.30 – I think I was 6 minutes late. I was the 3rd in line to give my passport, recepisse, and convocation. I was a little bit nervous at first because I didn’t have the carnet medical (book of my vaccinations since I was a baby). I never really thought of bringing it. Since I had my dengue fever when I was 17, I’ve never been sick after that – not even a cold. I think I’m pretty healthy – I played a lot outside when I was a kid and I guess I got all the good germs. Well, not having the book wasn’t a problem at all – they didn’t look for any medical records!

I waited for my name to be called in the reception area. First step is to have my lungs examined. I didn’t have to wait long and was finally inside the x-ray room, well – almost. The girl told me to lock the door behind me and to remove my clothes from waist up. I was so surprised to see her close and lock another door in front of me – I was inside a very small box-like room! So anyway, I was waiting there for 3 minutes – naked from the waist up, wondering if I made a mistake – putting my arms in front of me to cover myself just in case someone comes in. I tried to open the door to the x-ray room and it was locked. I made sure the other door leading to the reception was locked as well.

Finally, the door to the x-ray room opened and I was relieved. She took a chest x-ray and then told me to dress up after and go back to the waiting area and wait for the eye checkup. Medical gowns here are not in style.

Anyway, during my eye checkup (I had my contacts on the whole time!) – I failed to read the smallest of letters when I covered  my right eye. I thought it was over for me – but finally it was OK when I told the girl who checked my vision that I will see an eye doctor this Saturday (which is true). She then gave me information on what to watch out for to avoid HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C. Basically, avoid sharing needles, razors, nailcutters, etc. with other people and be safe when getting a tattoo or a piercing.

After that, a doctor talked to me and then gave me my medical certificate. He also took my blood pressure and asked me if I smoke. My blood pressure was normal and then he gave me the certificate stating that I was healthy. I had to ask him if my lungs are OK – and all is ok. All those years of smoking and it didn’t ruin my lungs – I was relieved.

So well, that was it. It was not complicated at all and it was a very informal medical examination.

The doctor told me to wait for a letter from the prefecture so I can get my carte de sejour. They will be the one to submit the certificate to the prefecture and I was told that I could go home already.

I still wonder if I have to pay the 275 euros timbre fiscal in my convocation. I heard you can buy this in TABAC stores – maybe when I get the carte de sejour (which is within the week) – I guess I’ll find out then.

By the way, my first carte de sejour will be for a duration of 3 years because it’s the carte de sejour competences et talents – i saw this in the recepisse and once again, I’m relieved. Don’t have to do the renew process next year.