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The Newbie Guide to Sweden

The Newbie Guide to Sweden

We explain Sweden

health

Visiting a doctor in Sweden as a tourist

24 May 2021 By The Newbie Team 1 Comment

Written by Malena Rasetto

Hej! I’m back, after my article about Sweden through an Argentinian’s eyes, I’m here to share my experience visiting a doctor in Sweden as a tourist. Unfortunately, I visited him twice! 

I had the pleasure to learn how to ski in the Sälen mountains. I stayed there for a week, so after a few days of learning the technique, I was confident enough to try an intermediate ski track when I fell and injured my knee. 

Åre, ski resort. Photo by Malena

It happened in Sälen, in a well-known ski resort. Given my knee wasn’t that bad, I didn’t go to the doctor there. However, after coming back to Östersund, I decided to make an appointment and get checked. 

As a tourist and not as a resident, the first thing you need when travelling is travel insurance, it will help you a lot. However, you need to take a few things into consideration: 

  1. Talk with your insurance company before booking an appointment, make sure they cover the appointment. 
  2.  Make sure of your insurance plan. In my case, I needed to be covered for recreational activity. 
  3. Be patient on the phone. YES! Every doctor’s appointment is by phone, and you may wait hours until someone answers. 
  4. Receptionists may not know how much it’s the appointment if you are not a resident, given it changes if you are from the EU or not. 
  5. Ask for every single ticket, and prescription in order to show it to the insurance.

Having said that…

Visiting a doctor in Sweden

https://unsplash.com/photos/yo01Z-9HQAw
Image from Hush Naidoo from Unsplash

I was lucky my host booked the appointment for me in a public health centre, so the communication and the information were clear. Doctors have good English, but some receptionists might have some struggles communicating. Please, don’t misunderstand me, I have very good face-to-face communication, the receptionist was lovely. 

The doctor was very kind too. I wanted to go straight away to a physiotherapist but my insurance didn’t cover it without being sent by a doctor. So I asked the doctor if he could write me a prescription saying I needed physiotherapist sessions, and he did it. In the end, I went to the physiotherapist twice. 

The doctor’s appointment is very expensive if you are not a Swedish resident or have a resident number. In my case, it was around 2100 SEK (206 EUR) because I have an Italian passport. 

Visiting a physiotherapist

Östersund, Sweden. Photo by Malena

I have to say that it was quite difficult to find one because of its fee. I tried to ask for a private physiotherapist thinking it would be cheaper but given I didn’t have a resident number, it was not possible for them to check on me. So I ended up going to a public one. 

Trying to book an appointment was a headache given you should call a number, leave a voice message and wait till they call you back. The time to call is from 8 to 9 am. So, wake up early and call as soon as you can. Luckily, the receptionist called me back the same day I called.

As the receptionist didn’t know how much it would cost me or if it would be possible I was seen by a physiotherapist, she gave my phone number to the physiotherapist, and he called me the next day and gave me an appointment. 

After all the goings and back to have an appointment, I finally visited one and the experience was very good indeed. Everyone treated me kindly and respectfully. The visit cost me less than the doctor’s, it was around 1500 SEK (148 EUR).

As a foreigner, they asked me for my passport, home address, Swedish address (hotel AirBnb, Workaway, etc.), and telephone number. My piece of advice for everyone is to be patient, Swedish people, as I described in my first article, are very kind and warm, and when it comes to work, they are very professional. 

Hope this article was informative and helpful. See you in the next article. 

 

About the Author

Hej! I’m Malena. I’m an Argentinian travelling Sweden. After living in Ireland for 2 years and a half I decided to start backpacking Europe. I’ve been living with different families since then. I love to be around different cultures, I love outdoor activities like hiking and swimming. I love blogging, reading and writing. You can find me on Instagram as @malenarasetto. I really hope you enjoy my articles! Vi ses!

Filed Under: Blog, Health, Sweden Tagged With: doctors, health, healthcare, healthcare in Sweden, Newbie in Sweden, Sweden

Medical help online

Medical help online. What is that? Well, in the last few years, there has been an explosion of digitally offered medical services. Basically, it means you will see a doctor, nurse or mental health provider over video chat in their app on your phone. 

Disclaimer: To keep The Newbie Guide free, we use affiliate links (marked with *) and may get a commission if you buy using these links. This does not affect our opinions and our writers always recommend their best for your Swedish experience. So if you want to support our work, simply use these links if or when you need to buy a service or product.

What is the set up?

  • This service is often cheap if not entirely free but the cost depends on where you live. However it is not more expensive than a visit to en Vårdcentral.
  • You get help either via video chat or text message.
  • The service is of course confidential.
  • Most apps offer help 24/7 and you can usually get help within 5-30 minutes.
  • Some of these apps offer digital medical visits in a lot of different languages.

Important to note is that you will need a Swedish BankId to use these apps.

How do I use it?

  • Download the app to your phone.
  • Log in with your BankID. If you don’t have a BankId, you can find out here how you get one.
  • Fill in your medical information.
  • Chose what you need help with and your preferred language.
  • They will call you, video chat or send you a message when it is your turn.
  • If you have to pay for it, an invoice will be sent to you after the visit.

Pros and cons

  • You can get help quickly.
  • You don’t have to leave the house.
  • You can get help in a lot of languages.
  • You can get help even outside of office hours.
  • However, a video or chat conversation will not  be the same as actually visiting with a doctor.
  • You may still have to visit a vårdcentral or go to the emergency room if the doctor or nurse can not establish what is wrong.

Which apps can I use?

There are a lot of medical apps at the moment. Some that we recommend are:

Kry*

  • Help you with medical treatment, psychological support and child-parent support.
  • Mostly free depending on where you live.
  • Open 24 hours a day.
  • Offer support in over 25 languages according to their website.
  • They also have physical health centers.

Doktor.se*

  • Offer support by doctors, midwives, nurses and psychologists.
  • Mostly free depending on where you live.
  • Open 24 hours a day.
  • Open 365 days a year.
  • They also have physical health centers.
  • Their website comes in Swedish, English and German.

Din psykolog*

It is just as important to take care of your mental health as the physical one. But finding a therapist that can speak your language and doesn’t cost a fortune, can be a bit tricky – or perhaps not. At Din Psykolog, you can:

  • meet with a therapist online anytime, anywhere, without long waiting times.
  • The service is digital and works on all devices.
  • You choose when you want to start treatment with your therapist.
  • The patient fee is 100 SEK per visit.
  • The visits are free for those under 20 years of age or over 85.
  • Some therapists can do sessions in other languages. You can read under each therapists profile or email info@dinpsykolog.se to ask which languages are on offer and by whom.

Knodd

This is the place to go for parents.

  • Experienced pediatric nurses and pediatricians via video call.
  • Advice, treatment and prescriptions for your kids and you as a parent.
  • Always free care.
  • Courses for parents.
  • Open weekdays 7-22 and weekends 8-20.

 

Coronavirus: Build your immunity!

28 March 2020 By The Newbie Team 2 Comments

Written by Tatiana Sokolova

There is heated debate (strange to describe anything that happens in Sweden as ‘heated’) about the Swedish government’s strategy concerning coronavirus. Here, ‘vi tar det lungt’ – we are taking it easy compared to our European neighbors. But this article is not about doubting or double-guessing. It is about the crucial thing which somehow seems to be overlooked in the current crisis. We don’t talk enough about building our immunity.

To be clear: I wholeheartedly believe that in these times we must follow the instructions of the government, at the very least, and perhaps take extra precautions if we can. But we can also do a lot more to help our society to overcome the coronavirus crisis. We can help each other, and there are great initiatives for that.

We can protect ourselves by having less contact with others, cancelling gatherings, washing hands, disinfecting (hard to do when ALL the disinfectants have been swept off the shelves and online stores are out of stock, but we do our best).

But building our own immunity against coronavirus should be much more in our headlines, as this is a measure we must take, not only for ourselves and our families but society as a whole.

The idea with building immunity, contrary to what we might sometimes think, is not that we DON’T get coronavirus. The idea is that we are likely to get it – and then it depends entirely on the magnificent, magical mechanism of our bodies what happens next.

If our immunity is strong and not burdened by anything else, it will recognize the invader at once – and will enthusiastically get down to the work of developing antibodies that will not allow coronavirus to do any damage. If our immunity system is not strong, or too busy taking care of other things, then this process will be, let’s say, a bit less enthusiastic – with potentially serious consequences.

There is no silver bullet, no magic pill – but there are many ways in which we can take care of our immune systems, and we probably know them already. This is the time to revise them and make some adjustments. They don’t have to be overwhelming.

You can take a little step at a time and see how it makes you feel. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. After all, our lives have changed already – and nothing will be quite the same again…

Get fresh air and exercise

This is one of the easiest places to start for many, especially in Sweden, especially when going to the gym is not a very attractive option or not an option at all. Think if we can ditch the gym, ditch the bus/metro and walk instead.

This is what my husband and I have been doing this week. My son’s preschool is a 45-minute hike around a bay, and as the weather is getting better, it was a great opportunity to take this brisk walk, up and down the hills, in the sun, both ways. It does wonders. I feel energized, I feel stronger, healthier, more optimistic (being out does wonder to prevent depression), and as a bonus, I get some extra time with my family. It also allowed us to bond with the local ducks, swans, and Canadian geese. Seriously, we started to recognize some of them, in all their incredible individuality.

Rest

There is nothing more important. You need quality sleep. I’m talking about at least 8-9 hours a night. Do you think that 9 hours is a luxury? That’s what we got used to thinking about our crazy urban lifestyles. But that’s what they are – crazy. And now in our partial lockdown due to coronavirus, we might want to rethink things a bit and take a chance to claim back some sanity into our lives. Today, sleep is not a luxury, it is a necessity, and more than that: it is our responsibility as citizens, as it is central to increase our immunity. So stop scrolling the headlines, switch off the mobile and go to sleep.

De-stress and be present

Meditation and yoga are doctor’s orders, but if it’s not your thing, do anything that relaxes you. Music, art, dance, painting walls, reading, knitting, watching silly movies.

There is only one rule: No scrolling. When you lie on the couch, you lie on the couch. It means you are not scrolling. Not scrolling headlines on your phone. Not scrolling scenarios in your head.

Please don’t underestimate this. Biologically, we have a sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The former is needed for hunting down food and running away from danger. The latter – for restoring our bodies’ resources. The two release completely different sets of hormones into the body. Evolutionary, our ancestors only spent a fraction of time running after deer or running away from tigers. The rest of the time they used to restore. Shall we say, 10% of activity and 90% of rest?

Now, the issue is that today we keep running away from tigers and hunting deer in our minds the whole time, even when we are physically resting. But our bodies do not know the difference.

So scrolling through headlines and scenarios, worrying and beating ourselves up, all of that means that our sympathetic systems are activated pretty much round the clock. It wears us out, brings our natural immune guard down. It damages us.

The solution is effectiveness and awareness. Do what you have to do, tackle the problems, solve the issues during the designated time – and then rest. And resting may imply cooking, eating, washing dishes, folding laundry – but all of that can be done with awareness. Awareness means no scrolling, in our heads, of headlines, scenarios, and past mistakes.

Awareness means being here and now, which allows us to fold the laundry while folding laundry, talking to a friend while talking to a friend, and feeling fully relaxed. The sympathetic system is ‘chilling’. No adrenaline or cortisol released into our bloodstream.

Staying updated is essential, but spending hours on reading or listening about the coronavirus is stressful.

Solution: decide that you will get updates to say once or twice a day, designate those times and limit them to a certain amount of time. That’s it. This also limits you to a number of well-chosen sources which you need to think through in advance.

Eat healthily

This doesn’t mean looking for some ‘special ingredients’. A lot of articles will tell you to eat this or that fruit, vegetable, spice. It’s all fine but sometimes it sounds like magical thinking. The bottom line is simple: as little processed foods as possible – and there are reasons for that.

You can begin to cut out or at least significantly reduce one or two ingredients which you know are not good. Sugar is a good place to start, but it can be something else. It’s not about feeling guilty – it’s about feeling good and staying healthy.

Good news: with many places closed and reduced working hours due to coronavirus, for many of us grabbing something unhealthy on the go is not an option and not a necessity – when else to cook nourishing food at home if not now? There is a lot written on eating healthy diets, and I am not referring to a specific source because I believe it is very individual. This is the time to explore! 🙂

Detox your skincare (men and women alike)

We sometimes forget that it’s not only what we eat, but also what our bathroom shelves contain that may overload our immune system.

There is a very simple clean-up that may help in the short, but especially in the long run: avoid phthalates and parabens.

Phthalates are in everything with a strong smell (perfume, nail polish which also uses deadly formaldehyde, and laundry detergent), and parabens are used as preservatives in most industrial cosmetics. Why you may benefit from cutting them out, read here.

Luckily, these days in Sweden you can get anything fragrance-free, and parabens are also easily avoided, as there are masses of much higher quality products without them (some of them inexpensive). The good news is also that you don’t need to give up nail polish as there are brands that don’t use phthalates or formaldehyde.

As for perfume… I must admit I have a hard time thinking of binning my favorite limited edition Kenzo, a gift from my niece… I have decided that I will not buy myself another perfume, and have asked everyone not to give me any.

There are of course natural perfumes available, but I haven’t really found anything yet that I would truly like, but I hope it’s waiting for me around the corner. And there is that rose oil I brought from Egypt which is phenomenal and plays the perfume’s function just perfectly – but I must say I haven’t found anything like it anywhere else. (And I get a bit tired of smelling like a rose every day.)

Connect

At times like these, many of us go into a survival mode. Especially the introverts among us – we literally have an urge to shut down, disappear, freeze, play dead. However, connecting with others boosts our self-esteem and gives us optimism and psychological well-being which is extremely important for immunity. Going beyond the needs of our own and those who are dependent on us gives us a sense of connection to a larger community.

So this is a good time to pick up the phone and call relatives and friends who you haven’t been in touch with for a while, maybe in other parts of the country or the world, and ask how they are. Perhaps starting with the older ones, who may be more isolated than usual, and perhaps worrying about falling sick?

Action plan

Here is a simple checklist that you can follow.

  1. Think of a time when you can be outdoors, every day. Take your diary and schedule it. Treat it as an essential appointment.
  2. Put a reminder on your phone which will tell you to wind down in the evening.
  3. Schedule in recreation: absolute, perfect leisure. At least two hours a day.
  4. Decide which sources you will look at for news about coronavirus, and schedule a limited time once or twice a day when you are going to consult them. Resist the temptation at all other times. When something pops up in your inbox, say: I’ll read this at 17.45 (or whatever time you scheduled).
  5. Ever thought of a meditation app? Good time to try. I used to scorn them, but I got one about six months back. I am positively shocked at the difference it has made for me (I admit, I’m a little addicted to it).
  6. Think of one change you can make in your diet which would feel nice. Implement that, and if it works well, think of one more.
  7. Look at your bathroom shelves and into your drawers and see if you can replace some of the items with paraben- and phthalate-free alternatives.
  8. Make a list of people you haven’t been in touch with, and contact them. If you are an introvert, like me, one person a day is enough! 🙂

I don’t want to underestimate the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis. I am by no means taking it lightly. Dire as things are though, let’s try to think of this crisis as an opportunity to make changes to our lives which we have felt were needed. Small changes, one at a time. Hopefully, we will re-emerge on the other side of this tunnel, after holding our breath for so long, wiser, humbler, healthier, more resilient, and more compassionate to ourselves and others – as a human race.

Do you have other tips/ suggestions? Please, comment below 😉

About the Author

Tatiana Sokolova is an investigator, collector and classifier of cultures, places, and ways of expression – the very things which often defy classification. She lives in Stockholm with her intercultural family. She is a researcher, a freelancer of various trades, and a little bit a photographer. Also a little bit a writer of short stories, and an aficionada – a lover of flamenco song, guitar, clapping and dance.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: corona virus, empowering, health, immunity, strengthening, well-being

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sweden: Updates and Q&A

16 March 2020 By The Newbie Team Leave a Comment

We know that lack of information, language barrier, and feeling uncertain makes the current situation even more difficult for Newbies in Sweden. That’s why we decided to create a list of reliable sources that report information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) status in English, as well as post short summaries from Swedish media.

What are the most reliable sources available in English or easy Swedish that I can follow?

We recommend the following:

  • The Local (English)
  • Radio Sweden (English)
  • 8 Sidor (lätt Svenska)
  • Krisinformation (multiple languages)
  • Red Cross
  • God Hjälp

What is the current status of the Coronavirus and how is the situation developing in Sweden?

Update: 01.04.2020

  • new rules regarding a-kassa: it is easier now to get the employment insurance paid out (you must work for a minimum 6 months for 40 hours per month – not, as before, 80 hours)
  • Swedish Public Health Agency advises against travelling on public communication and gathering in crowdy places
  • sports organizations are advised to cancel the upcoming matches
  • there are guidelines regarding the limits of the number of people in buses, trains and stores

Update: 28.03.2020

  • 3046 confirmed cases in Sweden, 92 dead coronavirus victims
  • Sweden bans gatherings of more than 50
  • Sweden gyms remain open
  • Swedish restaurants offer only table service now

Update: 20.03.2020

  • 1623 confirmed cases in Sweden, 16 dead coronavirus victims
  • everyone who is sick must stay home, avoid traveling, work from home and visit elderly people
  • people above 70 are urged to avoid social contact and spending time in crowded areas as much as possible
  • Volvo Cars pauses production in Sweden on March 26
  • Swedish public health agency advises against taking an Easter break in ski resorts

Update: 18.03.2020

  • 1196 confirmed cases in Sweden, 10 dead coronavirus victims
  • Sweden is closing borders to most non-EU travelers
  • Unionen reaches Coronavirus layoff agreement. From now on, employees’ working hours can be cut. Then, the Swedish state will step in. It means that the employee will retain around 90% of salary.

Update: 17.03.2020

  • 1121 confirmed cases in Sweden, 8 dead (all the Coronavirus victims in Sweden were elderly people with other health conditions)
  • The Swedish government advised doing distance learning in upper secondary schools and universities. The Swedish government is currently considering closing preschools and primary schools as well.
  • New rules for public transport. From now on, the passengers do not board the bus by the front door to protect the drivers. It means that you don’t need to validate your ticket the same way you did before. But you still need to have a ticket with you (either in the SL app or on SL card).
  • CSN states to continue to pay the support for students who study remotely.
  • Filmstaden closes all the cinemas.

According to the following sources: Dagens Nyheter, Dagens Industri, Aftonbladet, SVT (since 13.03.2020):

  • 1059 confirmed cases in Sweden, 7 dead (all the Coronavirus victims in Sweden were elderly people with other health conditions)
  • Finland shuts schools and universities to try to slow virus
  • Stockholmsbörsen (Swedish Stock Exchange) is down. SAS, Scandic and some other Nordic companies massively lay off their employees.
  • Stockholmers are urged to work from home.
  • Sweden launches 300 billion kronor crisis package.
  • Karensdagen is temporarily cancelled – it means that, unlike before, the first day of your absence at work will be still paid.
  • The Swedish government has decided to ban public events with over 500 people. Anyone who breaks this law can get fines or up to six months in prison. This law will stay in place as long as it is considered necessary to limit the spread of the virus.
  • The spring’s högskoleprov (scholastic aptitude test SAT) has been cancelled.
  •  To alleviate the health care sector, to request of a medical certificate for the first 14 days sick leave is not available.

What can I do if I was fired because of Coronavirus?

Currently, there is no additional help for those who lost their jobs due to Coronavirus. You might be entitled though to get the standard unemployment benefits.

What if I have the symptoms of Coronavirus?

As you might have heard, they are testing people only in special cases. Even if you have it, you’ll probably have a fever and dry cough. You can try to call Vårdcentralen (1177) or a special Coronavirus line (113 13). Currently, lines are very busy and it usually takes around 1.5 hours to speak to a medical nurse. Most people develop only mild symptoms that are similar to a common cold or flu. In this case, you don’t need any specialistic help. In case you have a high fever and respiratory problems, contact the numbers above.

Read More

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): what, when, where, how
  • Coronavirus, (COVID-19): what to do when you have to stay home
  • Important Emergency Numbers in Sweden
  • The Swedish Health System
  • Labour Unions

Filed Under: Blog, Health, Sweden Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, health

World Cancer Day

21 January 2019 By The Newbie Team Leave a Comment

February 4 is the official World Cancer Day. On this day and age is very likely that all of us know someone who is or has been afflicted by cancer. There are many factors that can contribute to be affected by cancer but it is important to know that around a third of cancer cases can be prevented by modifying our lifestyle.  

What is cancer? 

According to the Union for International Cancer Control “Cancer is a disease which occurs when changes in a group of normal cells within the body lead to uncontrolled, abnormal growth forming a lump called a tumour; this is true of all cancers except leukemia (cancer of the blood). If left untreated, tumours can grow and spread into the surrounding normal tissue, or to other parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic systems, and can affect the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems or release hormones that may affect body function.” 

Causes

There are many causes for cancer to happen in the human body, however, it is known that there are non-modifiable risk factors such as: 

  • Age 
  • Cancer causing substances (cancerogenic) 
  • Genetics  
  • The immune system 

There are other factors that are modifiable. Focusing on these can make a big difference between being affected by cancer or not. The following are risk factors that we have the opportunity to modify in our lives to above all, live a healthier life:

  • Alcohol consumption 
  • Having a healthy body weight 
  • Diet and nutrition 
  • Physical activity 
  • Tobacco consumption 
  • Radiation exposure 
  • Work place hazards 
  • Infection  

Cancer in Sweden 

In Sweden, the most common types of cancer are: prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer and lung cancer. There are programs available to help with the early detection of cancer such as screening tests, mammography and PSA test for prostate cancer. However, the most important part on any early detection system depends directly on us. Knowing our bodies, constantly checking for any abnormality and reporting it as soon as possible to the doctor.

There are fantastic resources online with useful information regarding cancer. From prevention to treatment. In Sweden, there are organizations that dedicate their work to research, treatment and help for people going through life with cancer.  

Resources and helpful sites

Vårguiden provides useful information about cancer and what the steps to follow to care for it. Find more here.

Kraften Hus – Located in Boras, Kraften Hus is available to anyone who is in any way concerned by cancer, as a patient, relative or a friend.

Cancerfonden – The Cancer Foundation goal is that fewer people suffers from cancer and more survive through financing research and spreading knowledge. Learn more about them and help directly on their website.

Socialstyrelsen -The National Board of Health and Welfare’s website has plenty of interesting information related to cancer. From statistics, research and general facts about cancer in Sweden.

World Cancer Day – The main website to find updated information about cancer.

We highly recommend reading Betül’s story by our Newbie blogger Sara Costa. Her story gives us an insight into what is dealing with cancer when moving to Sweden. Find it here.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Breast Cancer, Cancer in Sweden, Colon Cancer, health, Lung Cancer, Prevention, Skin Cancer, treatment, World Cancer Day

Dealing with cancer in Sweden – Betül’s story

4 December 2018 By The Newbie Team 2 Comments

Written by Sara Costa

Betül is the most generous, positive and wonderful person that I have ever crossed paths with and I consider myself lucky for having met her. She is a proud scientist at Chalmers and she loves Sweden and her life in Gothenburg. She is also a Newbie like many of us. 

Imagine you just moved to a new country. That shouldn’t be difficult as most of you are – or have been – a Newbie. Remember how hard it is/was sometimes to be alone in a new city, new home, new job, maybe even a new language? It feels like being reborn, requires a lot of effort to just go through the most mundane daily routines. It takes a while to build up your comfort zones again. We have all been there, one way or another, and we know or have at least an idea of how it feels.

 Now imagine that right in the middle of the adaptation process you were diagnosed with cancer. In a foreign country. Far away from home. That is exactly what happened to Betül, and this is her story.

 

Betül during the "interview"
Betül during the interview (Photo: Sara Costa)

Moving to Sweden

Betül moved from Turkey to Gothenburg in February 2017, after having been accepted for a postdoctoral position at Chalmers. “I had no idea how beautiful and peaceful Sweden is, so I consider myself lucky for having ended up here,” said Betül during our nice talk over a cup of tea. A few months later she noticed something on her neck. At first, she didn’t pay too much attention to it, especially because she didn’t have any other symptoms, but when it started growing and became visible, she decided to check it up at the closest vårdcentral.

The diagnosis

The first thing she was asked was if she had other symptoms. When she replied no and saw the doctor’s reaction, she understood for the first time that it could be serious. She did a blood test immediately and was told the results would take 3 days. However, she got a phone call from the doctor the day after. The results had not been conclusive, and she was advised to go to the emergency room at Sahlgrenska. Immediately. She had a second biopsy and once again, the results would take some time: 10 to 15 days. That was a Thursday. The Monday after, Betül got call back again and she understood that it was bad.

She was told she had lymphoma and it was big. It was malignant and spreading on the upper body. It was scary.

“I was in shock and went back to work because I just couldn’t think about it. I needed some time to process what was happening to me.” Later, she talked to her colleagues and friends, and asked one of them, Elin, to be her contact person at the hospital. “It was better to have a contact person that could speak Swedish because even though most people at the hospital speaks English, some of the nurses could have difficulties in explaining some things.” However, when she had a small surgery, she was offered a Turkish translator, in case she didn’t feel comfortable enough speaking English. “I refused, but I thought it was nice that they offered. It made me feel safer.”

The treatment

One of the nodules was close to the heart, therefore Betül was not fit for radiotherapy. She was told she would have chemotherapy for 6 months. Her first chemo day was less than a month after the diagnosis. The hospital provided her with all the necessary information and support. “They told me to never google it and gave me a phone line that I could call at any time with questions or if I got any new symptom. They could also call my doctor if needed. Having that support made me feel comfortable and safe. I never felt like I was bothering them with my silly questions and worries. One does get a lot of thoughts and doubts about everything”.

The treatment was not easy. Each session took five hours, during which five liters of liquids (4L of chemicals + 1L salt water) were administrated on the arm. “That sounds awful, but at that time I was not feeling sick. I could read and do other things.” After a while, the doctors changed the method and used a vessel on her chest, which shortened each session to 3h. “The most difficult was the days after the chemo sessions, but with the medication, which took a few weeks to get right, I could usually work a couple of days later.”

Life and work during the treatment

The most striking memory I have of Betül during this whole period was how calm and positive she was. Constantly! At first, I thought it was a defense mechanism to avoid thinking about her treatments. Soon I realized that it was just who she was. Still, upon her diagnosis, a flow of questions hit Betül. Could she stay in Sweden for the treatment? Would she be able to keep her job? What would her boss say? Her contract had barely started and she could be gone for months.

“It was July and most people were on vacation or attending conferences. I emailed my two closest managers and immediately got a reply full of support. My boss even offered to interrupt his holiday and come here, but I said that was not necessary.”

The doctors advised her to not work during the treatment. According to her medical certificate, Betül was entitled to full sick leave. She had, however, a different opinion. “I really didn’t want to just be at home. I asked them to please, please, let me work. Three doctors discussed this and after a while, two of them approved as long as I took certain precautions.”

Betül ended up applying for flexible sick leave. This meant that she could determine how many hours a day she wanted to work. All she had to do was to count the working hours so that her salary and sick leave remuneration would be correctly adjusted. After the treatment, she went back to working full time and her contract was extended to compensate for the time she was on sick leave.

“Everything worked very smoothly and not only did I not lose my job, but I had the freedom of choosing when to work.”

Light at the end of the tunnel

After three months she did more tests, revealing that the treatment was working. However, she would have to do the three remaining months of chemotherapy. “After the second session, I could actually see that it was working, because the nodule in my neck was much smaller.”

At the end of the treatment, new tests revealed that the nodules had disappeared and Betül was cancer-free. She still does regular checks, but so far everything is alright. “The best thing is that I never have to take care of anything, the doctors or nurses always call me to tell me about my appointments. I never have to worry about anything. I don’t even have to think about it.”

Costs

Betül had medical insurance from Chalmers and ended up never paying much for the treatments. She paid for some medicines and hospital visits but quickly reached the 1100kr and 2000kr top margins. This meant she didn’t have to pay for anything else. “Chemotherapy is really expensive! I remember that three little pills that I had to take before sessions, cost about 3000 SEK. The hospital provided everything. I didn’t even have to go to the pharmacy myself, the nurses just took care of everything.”

Relationships in Sweden and back home

Betül ended up developing a close relationship with all the doctors and nurses from vårdcentral and at the hospital. “I know them all by name and I felt that they really took care of me, like family.”

When I asked her about her friends, here in Sweden, mentioning how some people have difficulties making Swedish friends. Her answer came fast, as she immediately said no, that it was not difficult at all. Everyone at work, Swedish or not, had always been helpful and supportive. “My closest friend, who also became my contact at the hospital, is Swedish and she did everything she could to make me feel good.” Betül had to change apartments during the treatment. The sessions were on Fridays and she was supposed to move and mount the new Ikea furniture during one of the weekends.

“I felt so much nausea after that session, that my friend Elin booked me a hotel so that I could stay in peace to recover from chemo. In the meantime, she and other friends from work moved my things to my new apartment, built the new furniture and took care of everything. I only had to move in and Elin and her boyfriend even drove me from the hotel to the apartment.”

When asked if it would have been easier to deal with cancer at home, Betül quickly said “No”. She added with confidence: “I’m quite sure that it was better to be treated here. The hospitals have better conditions, are cleaner and much more organized.” She talked a lot with her parents during the diagnosis and treatment, but she always told them to not come and visit her. “My parents are very emotional, and I always felt sad after talking to them. I felt weakened and it was the only time I felt really sick.” She continues by saying that otherwise, and despite nausea and side effects, she never really felt she was a sick person. “I had my friends from work and I felt supported by all nurses and doctors, so it was ok.”

A message from the heart

Betül would also like to leave a message for all of those going through something similar: “I would like to tell them that they don’t need to worry about their diseases and treatment. Sweden’s health care system is the best for taking care of the patients (especially in urgent cases). Swedish doctors have great knowledge and they are always up to date with new improvements in medical science. They recommend the treatments accordingly. Most side effects from chemotherapy are predictable. Doctors can help to minimize them with medication. The most important I would say is to keep the mood up. I found that very easy in Sweden with all the kind and helpful people around”.

Betül has also made herself available to be contacted. If you would like to know more about her experience or simply would like to talk to her, all you have to do is leave a comment below.

I have learned a lot myself while talking with Betül. The biggest lesson might have been that I won’t complain again when I have to wait for my turn at the vårdcentral. Now I know that they are probably taking care of a more important case.

Thank you Betül for sharing your story with us!

Remember that you can learn more about the Swedish health care system here.

 

About the Author 
Hej! I’m a Portuguese Newbie in Sweden. I have also lived in Brazil, Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s been fun to be a foreigner in so many different countries and I enjoy learning about other cultures. I’m a fan of sports, some to watch and some to practise, my favourite being running. I also love food, reading and blogging. I hope you enjoy my posts!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: cancer, chemotherapy, costs, emergency, Friends, health, healthcare, Integration, medical, newbie story, sick leave, treatment, work

Gender Identity: Transitioning in Sweden

3 December 2018 By The Newbie Team 4 Comments

Written by Perseus D’Aniello

For trans and non-binary people, moving to a new country has some added struggles regarding social acceptance, safety, and medical care. While it is simple to find out that Sweden is one of the most progressive countries regarding transgender issues by conducting a google search, the medical care part is not so easy to figure out. Here are a few things I learned while I transition. 

Transitioning: Things to consider before moving countries

When I first began planning my move to Sweden, I completely forgot to figure out how I would continue my medical transition after moving to a new country. By the time I remembered, I only had a couple of months to figure it out.

For most trans people who have already started transitioning, it would be disastrous, both physically and emotionally, to have to pause it for any reason. I, therefore, began investigating what the process was for getting an appointment at ANOVA in Stockholm, which is one of the clinics in Sweden that provides trans-related healthcare. You can find the list of gender identity investigation teams or clinics here.

I soon found out that the waiting list for new patients at the Stockholm clinic was close to twelve months. That was way too long to be off medication for me.

Available help

I began calling the clinic and contacting other organizations like RFSL for information. That bit was tricky, because ANOVA only has phone hours for two hours per day, and they are often busy. My only advice for that is to be patient!

Eventually, after days and days of calling and worrying over it, I found out that the waiting list does not apply for those who have already started hormone replacement therapy in another country. All I needed to do was get my current doctor to write a report. It needed to include my medical information about my transition. I then handed that in at the clinic the day I arrived. I got an appointment within a couple of months!

Some tips for those dealing with this situation:

  • Don’t give up on calling the clinic just because they don’t answer at first. They have the answers for most of your questions.
  • You’re going to need either your personnummer, or a European Health Insurance Card in order to pay the local prices. Otherwise, you risk paying upwards of 4000 SEK for it.
  • When you first move, at least if you’re moving from another EU country, you are allowed to bring your medication. It is very important that you don’t interrupt your treatment while you get the appointment. Regarding how much of it you are allowed to bring, it might be a good idea to call Tullverket and have them clarify that.

Transitioning is a long process. It is important to keep in mind the many details that need to be sorted out. In my case, it has included changing my name while in Sweden. You can read about my experience and advice here.

About the author
Perseus D’Aniello is a young writer from the Caribbean, who immigrated to Sweden in early 2018. He is part of the LGBTQ+ community and is adamant about using his writing skills to help said community via articles, blogs, or stories. He is planning to become a full-time creative writer in the near future.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: health, healthcare, lgbt, medical, medical care, trans

How to prevent tick-borne diseases

4 July 2018 By The Newbie Team

Finally, summer and time to enjoy the outdoors! But it is also time for protection. This is because summer is also the time when tick-borne infections such as TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and Borrelia (Lyme Borrelios) get more common. Here is some useful information about both.

Quick facts about TBE (from Fasting.nu)

TBE is spreading both west and south in Sweden. 2017 reported the highest number of cases in Stockholm, Uppsala, Västra Götaland and Södermanland.

  • Those who get infected with TBE viruses can get flu-like symptoms in 1-2 weeks, such as mild fever and head and body aches. It lasts for up to a week. After that, you feel restored and then have lifelong immunity.
  • At every 3rd infection, the virus can spread to the brain. In this case, one gets sick again with an affected general condition that often requires hospitalization.
  • There is no medicine that cures TBE, but the treatment given is only symptomatic. That’s why it’s so important to vaccinate against TBE if you stay in areas where TBE infection occurs. Look for vaccination centers here.

Quick facts about Borrelia (from Fasting.nu)

Yearly, at least 10,000 people are suffering from Borrelia infection in Sweden. You can not vaccinate against Borrelia, but it can be treated. One can also suffer from borrelia several times.

  • At the bite, you typically see an expanding redness greater than five centimeters in diameter. It occurs 1-4 weeks after the bite and can fade from the center and outwards. Sometimes one may feel sick and possibly get a fever.
  • Borrelia can also give symptoms of the central nervous system, joints and occasionally from the heart. Symptoms of the nervous system can be headaches, nausea or radiant pains in the arms, legs or back. Sometimes, half-sided facial paralysis occurs.
  • Be aware of tick-infested areas. After coming indoors, check your clothes for ticks, shower as soon as possible, and if you discover a tick the sooner you remove it the less is the risk of infection. Learn how to remove a tick.
  • Antibiotics are used successfully in most cases when treating Borrelia.

For more information on ticks and disease, visit:

  • Fasting.nu
  • Medline Plus
  • Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Filed Under: Info Tagged With: borrelia, health, summer, support for newbies, Sweden, TBE, tick, vaccine

How to beat homesickness

23 April 2017 By The Newbie Team Leave a Comment

Moving to another country is a wonderful experience, but it can be an emotional rollercoaster. Homesickness can suddenly occur, even if you’ve never felt it before! When I got homesick out of the blue, I had no idea what to do and what I really wanted. I decided to work hard to get rid of it, as it stopped me from enjoying my time here!

Meet up with people from your country

@unsplash

Of course, you should speak the language of the country you’re in, but to sometimes just relax and not have to think about talking can be very relaxing.

When you’re talking to someone from your own country it just feels like home for a short time. This really helped me feel more at home in Sweden, because I found a healthy balance between giving up my old habits, and getting new ones.

Understand the Swedish culture

If you don’t understand or don’t want to understand the Swedish culture, you’re gonna have a hard time. You need to be a part of the society, otherwise, you’ll always feel like you’re left out.

It can be quite hard because you’re so used to your old habits (and people always think that the habits from their country are “better” and “normal), but it’s absolutely necessary and worth it!

Like I said before, you need to find a healthy balance (this balance has to be more on the side of Sweden, though).

When you start feeling homesick, keep yourself busy

@unsplash

Might be a bit too obvious, but often when you start to feel homesick you tend to make it even worse.

I started listening to songs from my childhood, looking at pictures, thinking about the good memories, etc. This only made it much worse! Instead, now I either go for a run (exercising is really the best way as it gives you endorphins so you feel happier!) or I just go shopping or meet up with friends.

Pick a date on which you want to go back to your country

Okay, this might be difficult financially, but if you have this possibility, you should really do it!

For me, the insecurity played a big role in feeling homesick, because I just didn’t know when I would see my family again and be home. If you have a date, you can really just focus on that and start the count down!

However, again, don’t think too much about it! Only be happy about the fact that you’re going home soonish, but do your best to be happy right now.

Try to find the support of the people around you

Not everyone understands how serious homesickness can be. People who say you can control it simply never had it, probably because they never moved to another country.

You might feel very lonely, but tell the people around you that you feel homesick sometimes! They will most likely try to cheer you up and help you through it, which is exactly what you need. You’re not alone!

You can check here some apps and organizations to get social.

These are some really easy tips, but of course, most of it is very personal. Homesickness is a very serious problem and can really make your life hard. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! You’re not alone in this.

Did you feel homesick when you moved to Sweden? How did you deal with it? Let me know in the comments! 🙂

Written by Lydia Hallie

I’m Lydia, a 19-year-old Dutch girl living in Stockholm. I try to write many helpful posts to help younger people who recently moved to Sweden to get to know the country and how everything works here! 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: health, homesick, life in sweden, Sweden, Swedish Culture

Stay healthy in expensive Stockholm

9 February 2017 By The Newbie Team 1 Comment

Health and fitness are very important to me, so when I moved to Stockholm I wanted to continue with my healthy habits like running, going to the gym, doing yoga and eating healthy. Many people were walking around in sports clothes, and there are small healthy eco food shops everywhere! You’d think that to Stay healthy in Stockholm is no problem at all, right?
Well, and you’ll probably notice this more often as a student: everything is quite expensive. Don’t worry, though! Here are some cheap things I often do to stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

Try to avoid the metro as much as possible

I know this one is a bit obvious, but in Stockholm, walking is such an easy way to get some exercise done! Just eat a banana to get some energy and go for it – unless you are too far away of course. You’ll feel much better, and you won’t be as annoyed as you would have been if you had taken the tunnelbana! There are some really nice routes I often walk when I need to get some fresh air, they’re not too long but definitely enough to increase your heart rate 🙂 If you have a smartphone, you should download the app “Runnister”, you get paid for the kilometers you walk/run!

Fitness 24/7

Gyms like SATS and Nordic Wellness are often quite expensive, around 600kr per month. Fitness 24/7 is the cheapest option, for students, it’s only 169kr a month and 199kr regularly. You do however need to have a Swedish ID and personnummer for those prices, I didn’t have either, so I paid around 1445 kr for 6 months, which is still quie cheap if you go to the gym often. It’s a great way to get to know new people, gain confidence, and get a healthier body!

Take vitamin pills, especially vitamin D

You can buy pills at the pharmacy for 99 kr, they’re really really necessary. They have a lot of vitamin D in them which you really need for your overall happiness and energy, normally you’d get this from sunlight.

Don’t let the cold and snow stop you from going outside!

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” (Det finnsinget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder) is an old Swedish saying, and I really like this one because it’s true! Just buy spikes at Intersport to put on your shoes, a warm jacket and scarf, something to cover your ears, and you’re ready to go for a long walk even if it’s cold. It’s really important to go outside, especially as it’s dark most of the time!

Go to a cafe often

Even if you’re on your own working on your laptop or reading a book, research shows that going to a cafe is really healthy for your mental health. You will also improve your Swedish if you listen to other people’s conversations (a bit sneaky, but we all do it..)! I follow some accounts on Instagram to find new cafes (@stockholmfood and @fikastockholm for example), but you can also find many on the Stockholm app.

Visit YOUMP

Yoump is probably the most fun way to exercise, it’s a giant trampoline park! You need to book a time though as it’s very popular, but it’s awesome. The regular price is around 180 sek for an hour of jumping around, but it’s much lower if you’re a student or kid. Doing something completely different is really healthy for your mental health as well, especially if you’re quite stressed because of school.

Ice skate in Kungsträdgården

Enjoy it now when it’s still possible! Renting ice skates is not expensive at all, and if you bring your own they can even sharpen them for you! Go for a hot drink afterward, or just watch other people ice skate.

Join a running group

Running is an awesome way to feel more confident and happier about yourself, and if you run in a group it’s even better! You won’t quit as fast as you would if you ran on your own, and you’ll get many contacts.  There are many ways to find people to run with, you can, of course, go with friends, or go to www.meetup.com for running meetups!

Go for a swim!

There’s no need to jump in the Mälaren if you want to go for a swim, there are many simhallar in Stockholm and surrounding areas you can go to. They often have gyms as well, so it’s a perfect combination! Entry only costs are between 90 kr and 70 kr for adults, but if you want to go more often, it’s much cheaper to buy a card.

Written by Lydia Hallie 

I’m Lydia, a 19-year-old Dutch girl living in Stockholm. I try to write many helpful posts to help younger people who recently moved to Sweden to get to know the country and how everything works here! 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: active, fitness, health, healthy, sport

Maternity care in Sweden

18 September 2016 By The Newbie Team 4 Comments

I moved to Sweden with my husband when we applied for asylum on the 9th of March 2015. Later, I got pregnant with my first baby. It was mixed feelings between happy and worried, happy to start our parenting journey and worried for his destiny with us as we are still not settled and waiting for our approval to stay in Sweden. 

Luckily, the migration office in my municipality provide apartments to the families who are expecting a baby even before the delivery. I wish that there will also be an exception to speed up the process for pregnant women to avoid the depression and stress that I had to face during my pregnancy and delivery.

The first time I had the chance to touch the snow was during my pregnancy, it was nice to play with but very quiet, too. Quiet, empty, clean, cold and gray and I didn’t want to have my baby in such miserable dark winter. My due date was the 27th of March and I was happy that the weather would be warmer and we could enjoy the sun that stays up so long.

During  pregnancy

The thing that I wasn’t aware of is that I’m entitled to enjoy the maternity care exactly the same as the Swedish citizen. Even though I don’t have the residence permit. It is also free, you only need to pay small fees for medications.

Most women will never once see an obstetrician during their pregnancy. Almost everything is done by midwives in medical centers called vårdcentralen where you get all needed laboratory tests every month in the first 7 months and then every two weeks for the remaining time. My midwives was very helpful and gave me lessons on breathing techniques and coaching sessions with my husband.

You will also get only one ultrasound in a hospital unless there is a need to transfer you to a doctor or do an extra x-ray. This happened to me when at the end of eight months, my baby wasn’t growing normally.  I was then transfered to a hospital to do an extra x-ray and they found that my baby was only 2.400 kilogram which was too small compared with the Swedish standards that must reach at least 3.200 kilogram.

You will be also invited to visit the hospital where you will have your baby to prepare yourself and become familiar with the place.

On giving birth

The hospital will get your file that is already registered by your midwife. They have made notes on everything in terms of the way you wish to deliver your baby, what language you speak, if you want an epidural or not…etc.

After my baby was born, there was a meeting with a nurse who taught the best way of breast feeding and lots of other tips and tricks. There is also a nurse who visits your home after 3 days to your home to measure the baby and give you advice and free Vitamin D drops that is provided until the age of two.

Socially

Swedes are not usually very open and hardly ever start a conversation with strangers. But after I had my baby, every time I go out while pushing my baby stroller, I found that strangers would smile at me, offer to help or hold doors.

On maternity leave

For me as an asylum seeker, I still don’t have a job. But the Migration Agency provides my baby with financial support even though I’m unemployed. One of the things that really distinguishes Sweden and gives it a high international standard in terms of work–life balance, is that parents are entitled to 480 days of paid parental leave when a child is born.

Finally, we feel very lucky to get the chance to have our little Josef in Sweden, while countless Yemeni infants have died due to the war siege that’s devastated the health structure and the lack of medical aid.

Written by Wafa Said

Wafa is an asylum seeker from Yemen who arrived in Sweden with her husband in 2015. They were forced to flee their country as her husband was a human rights activist and his actions against the Houthi rebels put them in an dangerous situation. Now she has had her first child and is discovering the Swedish language and culture.

Filed Under: Blog, Parenting Tagged With: children, health, healthcare, maternity, pregnancy, pregnant

Public Toilets, a Bright Spot in Sweden

27 August 2016 By The Newbie Team 11 Comments

Today I want to chat with you about a somewhat taboo topic–toilets–public toilets infact. Ewww…really? Yes, really. Having lived in three countries and traveled somewhat extensively, I find public toilets to be fascinating. Bathroom, toilet, WC, toalett; call it what you will; we all need them. In Indonesia, I squatted while wearing a toddler on my back, splashing off with a bucket of water. France had bidets, while in the United States, I relied on paper seat protectors. Across Europe, I alternately marveled and cursed at the concept of a coin-operated door.

Recently, a new revelation came to me about toilets across England and Sweden. The many I have used were fundamentally different from the public toilets in the United States. How? Well, let me tell you.

It all came to me the other day when I was in the Världskultur Museet in Göteborg. The bathroom sign included three symbols: a woman, a man, and a half woman, half man. This was the first time I’ve seen an all inclusive toilet. No doubt, I needed to check it out. Inside, it was rather anticlimactic. The bathroom looked exactly like all the others I’ve seen in Sweden. The doors and walls were floor to ceiling and protected the privacy of any occupants.

What’s the issue with US toilets?

That’s when it hit me! This is the fundamental problem with the toilets in the United States. Just a minute and I will get back to that. Did you know we have a toilet problem in the United States? There is a huge controversy right now regarding which gender has the right to use which bathroom. In particular, some States are demanding that transexuals use the toilets designated on their birth certificate.

This means that someone who identifies as a female and has female parts will have to use the men’s room if she was born a man and vice versa. How awkward is that?

Public toilets
The problem of public bathrooms

Now then, back to that problem. What is the problem with the bathrooms in the United States? The stalls themselves are the problem. The walls and doors often start a foot or more above the floor and end just a few inches over 5 feet.

I’m a very short woman even in the United States and it’s not unheard of for me to be able to see over the stall. Several of the bathrooms in Pike Place Market in Seattle come to mind…not something I ever want to experience again! Furthermore, in the Mens Room, often they only have one or two stalls with doors and the rest of the bathroom consists of a line of urinals that are fully exposed. Can you imagine how fathers feel when they bring their daughters out in public and need to take them to the toilet? Horrified, I’m sure.

In Sweden, at least in Göteborg, the doors and walls of the stalls go floor to ceiling. Many even have sinks inside the stall. How convenient is that? This set up makes privacy concerns moot. There is no chance of someone peeking into your stall while you handle those delicate issues of nature. Father’s don’t have to worry about what their daughters may see and don’t have to send them alone to the womens’ restroom before they are ready. Sometimes, this convenience comes at a price (between SEK 5 and SEK 10), but one learns quickly enough to travel with a bit of change at hand.

If you are seeking a bit of fun, you might even seek out the toilets that require a cell phone code to operate. That bit of craziness took a little while for me to figure out, but for a local who has a phone plan and doesn’t have change, it really is quite brilliant.

I’m not saying the Swedish system is perfect—case in point—the lack of toilet seat protectors (what is up with that??). What I am saying is that putting the responsibility on the builders to ensure the privacy of consumers is a brilliant move. It ensures everyone has privacy in an often unavoidable situation.

Thanks for sticking with me through what could have been a rather stinky toilet article. I hope you found it informative and maybe even a bit entertaining.

Written by Jessica Arifianto

Hej! I’m Jessi, a newbie to Sweden and a blogger over at When Quirky Met Nerdy. Nearly three years ago I left the United States with my husband and young son to begin this crazy awesome journey, from Seattle to Surrey, to Sweden. Göteborg became our home during the height of the snowstorm this past January and it’s been an adventure every day since. I hope you enjoy my newbie stories–thanks for reading!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: health, public, public toilets, public wc, toilet, toilets in sweden, wc

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