closer

Things are still moving in the right direction - all the relevant expensive consultations have now taken place and all is well in my world. Well, it will be after the obligatory 2 week wait!

I've got the all clear on my heart murmur and raised ALT results, these being the only barriers to getting the required work permit. This is great, but the good news is tempered by the necessary delay in getting things written up, sent out and accepted.

If there's one good thing to come out of the interminable waiting while the due process slowly grinds on and on, it's the fact that it appears that I'm reasonably healthy. My cholesterol is low, my blood pressure is ideal, and due to the fact that I had to make sure I was in as best position as possible for the medicals, I've lost over a stone in weight (although I could probably stand to lose another one, but it's a step in the right direction).

All those things that have taken time to sort out would probably have been flagged up in any case some time in the near future, and I also now know that I have no nasty diseases lurking in my blood ready to surprise me some time in the future.

However I won't be fully happy until It's all over, and I'm possibly being a bit ambitious, but a start date of 29th September is looking a possibility and one that I'm certainly aiming for. Let's hope there's some cheap flights still available...

the trouble with medicals

Just when we think everything is sorted and I'm finally on my way, another medical issue raises it's ugly head and spoils things.

I should actually be in Christchurch now, starting a 4-week training period for my new job in preparation of my 'real' start date of Jan 5th 2009. This would give me time to settle into the job and meet co-workers, as well as being a great opportunity to do some house-hunting and school-scouting for when we all emigrate together on or around mid-December.

However despite being passed as fit by my GP and paid-for private consultants, NZIS (or more specifically their medical department) want their pound of flesh and even more reports on things that have already been verified.

I was born with a "flow" heart murmur and had to have regular medical checks every couple of years until I was discharged when 18 (over 20 years ago). All the relevant paperwork has been sent to them, but only an expensive and private consultation with a cardiologist will be enough.

I also have what is known as a fatty liver. This can be caused by a number of factors - especially too much alcohol - but tests done by my GP and ultrasound scans from the hospital show there is no cause for alarm and my slight alcohol intake points to it not being serious. NZIS has this information, but wants more. Another expensive and private consultation awaits.

However it's not the cost that is bugging me, it's the time delay. My visa depends on my job offer, and the job offer depends on my being there very soon. If the delays become too great there's a chance I may lose the job. If I lose the job, then the application form is ripped up (and the medicals go out-of-date) and I have to start all over again and find a job and pay for another application.

It's all very stressful and I need to have a chat with the company tonight to see if it's going to affect anything...