Minor liver resection procedure, SLAP tear disease treatment in 438 Oncology and Orthopedic surgery clinics worldwide

You will probably die before you get your waitlist surgery appointment date, unless another hospital saves you out of your misery. Stay away from this hospital as there is absolutely no compassion here!!

This was my fourth time at this hospital for post-surgery exercise, today I had two other people's records on my file. The staff member that was assigned to me, was confused because of this. I was there for my back exercise, not my hip or knee. You can only blame the Qld health office staff for this. THANK GOD I WAS NOT HAVING A OPERATION. ANOTHER MISTAKE FROM QLD HEALTH

I had a hemorrhage type stroke in the ER room after being denied the usage of Ryan's Rule, staff is extremely rude and unprofessional. Since the stroke I have been refused triage and denied medical treatment every time I attempt to present to emergency with the Doctor's very rudely telling me they aren't going to treat me and to go home during my acute medical episode which included my brain actively hemorrhaging. Have only ever received treatment when the Police have done an EEA which involved the staff drugging with me high amounts of Morphine the first time and Fentanyl the second time making me unconscious for the EEA before releasing me outside which resulted in me getting hit by a car. Incredibly disgusting behavior by an abhorrent group of staff and pathetic excuses for Nurses and Doctors.

I had self funded surgery here 6 weeks ago. My surgeon and anaesthetist were amazing. 10/10. The nurses I had when I came out of recovery were great. Attention to detail, caring, wonderful. The nurses I had the following day were average. The surgery cost $11950, I was in hospital less than 18 hours. My admission was messed up, so after fasting from 9pm for an 8am surgery, I wasn’t admitted until after 4pm. Surgery went great and was out of recovery by 8pm. The next morning I wasn’t given any fluids or anything and was discharged not long after waking. I was given the wrong discharge papers and medication scripts too. Please do better in future. I would definitely think twice about having surgery here again.

All the staff at the Wesley are amazing. Even when staff are super busy, they are friendly, they make time for you and your every concern. The staff look happy and appear to work as a well oiled team. Comfortable rooms and great food choices (including Vegan options) and service. Remember, it is a Hospital not a restaurant. It really is the best! Thank you Wesley

Professional staff, every nurse and doctors were amazing at the Wesley hospital. Special thanks to Dr GOUGH who performed an excellent thyroid operation.

Saved my life (twice). Had I been anywhere else I would be 6 foot under. Thank you so much to all the staff who helped me and medical records in particular Ms Gee who was highly competent. I would like to thank the surgeon and staff who operated on me. I simple do not understand the negative reviews here, try going to other parts of the world and see healthcare others have. Thank you.

I recently had a positive experience at Canberra Hospital, and I'm eager to share my feedback. Dr. Phillip, the surgeon, delivered an outstanding level of care, demonstrating expertise and professionalism throughout. Nurse Manita was incredibly cooperative, ensuring I felt comfortable and well-informed during my stay. The follow-up care from Nurse '' ROSE'' was exceptional—her kindness, care, and sweet demeanor made a significant difference in my overall experience. I appreciate the dedication and compassion displayed by the medical team at Canberra Hospital.

Very professional staff working efficiently and compassionately under enormous pressure due to a chronically underfunded hospital system. Many of the negative reviews reveal narrow minded attitudes and highly unrealistic expectations of a stressed public health system. We are lucky to have such a hospital in Canberra, which last I was aware is actually the second busiest trauma hospital in the nation- accepting patients not only from Canberra but transfers from regional areas and Sydney.

Waited since 11pm to be seen, at 5.30am was taken in to be seen by a doctor, 7am and still not seen by a doctor and asked to leave the room and bed as someone else needs it. Absolutely shocking. One doctor on. We are in Australia and cannot receive decent medical attention. Disgusted and will never return here. Triage staff rude.

UPDATE CANCELS Pediatric APPOINTMENT OF MY FIVE YR OLD NEPHEW A DAY BEFORE BY TEXT AND SAID ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WILL BE SENT OUT BY MAIL. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Looking abit disheveled bc of lack of sleep and nurse looks me up and down with a judgey look on her face and rolls her eyes. Honestly the nurses are awful. Trainee nurses can't hit veins and be disclosing personal information about themselves (that they take Zoloft, while forgetting to tell drs I need pain medication, put hot tea in front of my face nearly permanently scarring my eye, also forgetting to ask Drs to check my cervix which nearly led to the loss of my baby and when it finally was checked baby was about to be born her head was past cervix expected to deliver baby on my own and i was unessasarly on heavy painkillers for longer which led to withdrawal symptoms for my child.) Honestly completely unprofessional if they're having a bad day. Old hospital is falling apart while private is upgraded. Honestly if your overworked you shouldn't be working. And that's part of your training. Completely alienated by the nurses looking after my child, it's literally fd up. No information on breastfeeding just yes or no and then a pump sent to my room. Resulting in potentially life threatening mastitis. Along with completely messing up my mental health the social workers seriously need to learn some decorum or at least basic manners.

80 year old woman sat in ED waiting room after botched abdominal surgery in regional hospital. Sat in wheelchair for about five hours in FMC ED after being hastily sewn up by regional surgeon. No pain relief given, eventually admitted into ED and given a bed around 11:00 pm, seen by doctor around 4:00 am the following morning… Eventually admitted to appropriate ward where the specialist and nurses have been brilliant!

Gross negligence in patient care- avoid this hospital like the plague.. it’s an absolute joke. if I could give no stars I would. If you value your life and want a good chance of recovery and not to die due to poor nursing and “specialist care” - DO NOT GO TO GREENSLOPES… you have been warned.

Had private health cover for most of my adult life and one time I needed to use it, the experience was so horrible. I’ve triggered Ramsay rule 3 times without success, was told medical director was going to see me, but that did not ever happen. I was eventually transferred to a public hospital, and experience was so much better.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the hospital and its incredible team for the exceptional support and care we received during my cesarean section. The nurses and Midwife were outstanding, the food was worthy of a 5-star hotel, and Dr. Melissa Mckenzie proved to be the best in the world. Every detail of our stay was handled with professionalism and warmth, making us feel cared for and comfortable. Even after 5 days, I would have wished to extend our stay because they made us feel at home. Highly recommended! Thank you all for making this moment so special and peaceful for my baby and me. 👶🌟"

Presented with chest/breathing problems. Directed to station to give all admin details and make payment. All very streamlined, then waited and was taken to a isolation room. They apparentley should not have sent me to waiting room as l am highly infectious. When in room lost all cell and wifi. Asked many staff none had any idea of hospital wifi codes. 6 hours later at desk again to make outstanding payment. I mentioned that maybe it was a admin role that they tell people how to access hospital wifi as this was an ideal momment. They certainly were able to take money and l signed for my insurance. The slim older woman wirh blond grey hair let me know very aggresively that it was not her job. While at the far end of the counter was a business card with wifi details..... Just appaling her lack of care. Surely patients maintaing contact with family, matters as the hospital phone also did not work in room, however she could not care less and let me know that. The rest of the staff are amazing. After tests l have Influenza A.

Currently staying over night & I’m blown away by the staff. They were all very attentive & reassured me before, after and during. Was laughing through my whole experience which has never happened before! Lovely people who do an amazing job.

If there is 0 star, I will give it to Cabrini. Back in early Jan 2023, I was referred by my GP to Cabrini to receive intravenous antibiotics due to swelling in my foot. The reception in the ED asked me to complete a form, provided my Medicare and Medibank information, and I paid $485. At that time, I inquired about any additional out-of-pocket expenses as I was covered by private insurance, and I was clearly told there would be none. I was then placed on a bed in a ward. A doctor examined my foot and, after assessing it, decided not to administer IV antibiotics and no treatment is required, but asked me to take an ultrasound test on my foot. Since there will be no treatment plus I had several meetings that day, I specifically asked whether I could return home first and had the test later if still needed. The doctor told me he would inform me of the expected waiting time; if it was lengthy, I could leave and have the tests done at my GP, but if it was short, I could have them done at the hospital. Later, he informed me that the test could be done quickly, so I proceeded with it at the hospital. It took me more than 6 hours to finish the test and wait for result. In the end I was discharged without any treatment. During the checkout process, I once again inquired at the front desk whether there were any additional out-of-pocket expenses beyond the $485 I had already paid, and I was told there were none. A few weeks later, I received the test invoice, after discussing the matter with Cabrini accounting team, I was informed that I had never actually been admitted to the hospital. Does Cabrini expect an ordinary consumer to identify the difference between an outpatient ward and an admission ward? Not to mention I was informed by your staff there will be no additional out-of-pocket expense, plus no treatment at all, totally misleading!!! Even worse, after I raised a compliant to CRM Cabrini, received feedback telling me the invoice will be put on hold until review is done. Since then, no one from Cabrini has communicated with me. Last week, I got a letter from collector chasing payment, what an arrogant and disgraceful act! Stay away from Cabrini!

What superb care my darling 95yr old Dad received in their A&E dept!!!! The Male Nurse, 'Nappy', was so kind, compassionate and approachable and so gentle with my Dad. Thanks to him, I was able to take my Dad home later this afternoon, problem rectified and my Dad in much better spirits too! The triage Nurse was really lovely and the clerk, Julie, was also incredibly kind, calm and compassionate. They are a shining example of what all A&E Department should aspire to! So very grateful! God bless you all. 🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼

It's disgraceful for a hospital that holds itself out as one of the premier hospitals. They are not equipped to care for elderly and frail patients who as we well know often suffer from poor appetite and require more intensive attention. . My wife who in her 80s, is frail and weak, has been in there for two weeks and no one has checked her food intake. During the two weeks she only had mostly soup. I had to point this out to them and request for food supplement to be provided. The nurses explain that they are understaffed and can only provide the basic attention and care. On the other hand the nurses are polite and kind but obviously stressed.

After severing an artery and nerve at my workplace, I was directed to attend SJOG Murdoch for reparative surgery by Dr Sharon Chu. From the moment I set foot in the hospital, the level of kindness, care and competence was exemplary. Orderlies were extremely kind and attentive, the nurses and doctors were super efficient and lovely, I couldn't fault anyone I came into contact with. My anaesthetist, Dr James Miller was similarly amazing, taking my past history with genersl anaesthesia into account and ensuring I did not wake up sick and vomiting after the GA as I usually do. I woke up in recovery feeling great, with no hint of nausea. Dr Chu was similarly impressive, not only by doing a great job on the repair, but by being kind, attentive and very reassuring. Her smile lit up the room and completely put me at ease, it made all the difference and eased my pre-op anxiety! My breakfast the next day was superb and ordering off the room service menu felt as though I was in a 5 star hotel! It was delivered promptly with a smile by another lovely hospital employee and was hot & delicious. I truly felt that I was having a lovely holiday, with just a bit of surgery thrown in for good measure! I cannot fault my experience at SJOG Murdoch and give my heartfelt thanks to all imvolved in my care!

My recent visit to Evercare Hospital was truly exceptional. From the moment I stepped in, I was impressed by the hospital's cleanliness and organization, setting a high standard for hygiene in a healthcare facility. The experienced doctors I encountered were not only highly skilled but also compassionate, taking the time to address my concerns and providing me with clear explanations of my medical condition. The courteous and well-behaved staff made my experience even more comfortable. With state-of-the-art facilities and advanced equipment, this hospital is undoubtedly a top choice for anyone seeking high-quality healthcare in Dhaka. I wholeheartedly recommend Evercare Hospital to anyone in need of medical attention. This hospital combines a clean environment, experienced doctors, and a caring staff to provide exceptional care. My visit here was truly outstanding, and I trust them completely to deliver top-tier healthcare services.

Evercare Hospitals provide world-class healthcare in Bangladesh through experienced doctors, advanced medical technologies, and patient-centric care. The Evercare Group believes access to healthcare is a fundamental right for everyone, so it invests in emerging markets to bring private, quality driven healthcare to meet the needs of local people. The Group was created in response to a global challenge to ensure well-being at all ages is provided to those living in developing countries as a pillar to support sustainable economic development. To be the leading integrated healthcare network in emerging markets, transforming the quality of healthcare and impacting millions of people. To build a legacy of impact driven, accessible, safe and private healthcare for patients in need. They are committed to providing best-in-class, accessible, private healthcare for all and we encourage all our employees and caregivers to share our values: They are committed to providing quality healthcare for every patient. And they do the right thing, every time.

This is one of the best hospital in Bangladesh, but the price is too much high or expensive. So if you want to come to this hospital you have calculate extra money the as usual. Besides you have to wait in a long line before any desk. This was so disappointing. Overall it was a good experience for me there. 🥀

Give a birth here on September. All employees were very professional, helpful and nice to me, during the birth and during the staying.

The Nurse Lady at the Evidence Pacientu was so rude, I was trying to speak in Czech even tho I understand just a little, she was literally shouting at me, while I asked how long after doctor is coming because I was going through a pain, She really doesn’t know how a nurse should talk with a patient who comes for a emergency treatment. It was such a bad experience.😕 No complains to the doctor, he was so helpful and Understanding.

The ophthalmology emergency service of the hospital, situated at floor 16, is quite bad,in the sense of the attention from the part of nurses and doctors, I went several times, and just two doctors from 6 where nice to me, I don’t speak czech perfectly and I was trying to make me understand talking in czech, majority of them didn’t want to understand me.... recommending sant Anne.. the crew there it’s seem more profesional and trying to find a solution to my health problem.

Hernia operation. I had a hernia for years. It started to be worst so i decided to go for operation. Waiting time to get operated was 4 months. Not great. Not great ... I read somewhere it is result of cutting staff. Experience with the doctors was however great. I was operated by a young Female doctor M B (thanks again you are great and talented) I stayed altogether 3 days in hospital (one day before operation and 2 days after ) they removed 2 hernias, one lomparoscopy and one net stitching. The nurses were great and helpers too. I would have liked being helped to the door for exit process. I walked out with spinning head. Very very very bad experience was front desk administrative nurse. miss J. She either hate people or her job. Who knows maybe both. Her approach and the words used were conflictual and distasteful even if i was nice. Pain was very manageable 3/10

Crazy person on the line. Just not normal to talk to people like that. Why do you work in the hospital if you hate them so much?

I went to this hospital several months ago to run some tests. Upon trying to reschedule an appointment for a checkup, I was told that they do not accept foreigners, despite the fact I have Czech residency, and was referred elsewhere. The level of unprofessionalism is frankly appalling; it appears the staff at this hospital has forgotten the fall of communism was over 30 years ago.

Very disappointing experience. My mom fell very sick while on a bus traveling from Austria to Poland through Czech Republic. She fainted, vomited, had seizures and was unconscious for 40 minutes while waiting for the ambulance. Ambulance took her to this hospital, wasted time on checking her insurance instead of helping first and foremost, and made her wait for a check up for an hour in an emergency department. Later, after receiving medical help my mom felt very thirsty and asked for a glass of water. She had to ask several times different staff, and all of them didn’t bother to help and just said there is no drinking water available (however, my mom could see two bottles of water on a table and an electric kettle, probably the staff’s, but obviously they didn’t want to share). My mom felt dizzy and weak, and yet had to get up and go to toilet to drink tap water. Just after 2 hours of staying in the hospital the staff asked my mom to vacate the bed even though she still felt very dizzy and nauseous. Just a reminder: she was in a unknown city in a foreign country took off the bus because of an emergency medical accident. The hospital staff couldn’t care less, they just asked her to leave because according to them she already “got all needed medical assistance” and “ready to leave”. She had to quickly book a hotel room and leave. When she asked to help at least with getting a taxi, the staff again acted reluctantly and didn’t help in the end. Unempathetic, unhospitable and unprofessional. Me and my family members have experienced medical assistance a few times in several countries but never had such a bad treatment.

Definitely among one of the best teaching university hospitals in the Country, spacious, with a lot of subspecialities including cardiology, gastroenterology, ENT, etc..

Very efficient. Arrive and take a ticket then wait to be called. They take your details and then you are seen according to your needs. English is spoken.

Got my Covid (#5) vaccine at this facility. Vaccination center is located in building/pavilion E next door from entrance E7. Hospital is easily accessible via public transport/trams. The service and staff are very efficient. Dr. Mankovecky (fluent in English) and his nurse are extremely friendly and pleasant. Appointment is required and recommended for the vaccination services. I recommend this facility!

This review is for the ULZ department in this hospital. I went several days to the hyperbaric chamber. The team was the best one I've ever encountered in Czech Republic, doctors, nurses, technicians, everyone was nice, positive, polite, helpful, and dedicated. They took the time to explain everything to the patients, are nice and smiling everyday. For the first time I felt they loved their job for both the medical part and the human contact. Special thanks to Mila, the nurse who took care about me all along the procedure. Please do not change anything! And for the hospital in general please take this department as an example!

It’s really a very good hospital. As I don’t speak Czech, it may be a problem in some places. But here it is very good. It’s like an international hospital. Everyone from the reception to the examination doctors all speaks good English. There is no problem with being treated. And the waiting time is not long at all.

In May 2022, we urgently arrived from Kazakhstan to the clinic. It was necessary to install a drainage to remove bile from the liver. The condition was quite serious, bilirubin was more than 500 units. In Kazakhstan it was not possible to install drainage, it did not work. Ivan Mikhailovich Davydov did an excellent job with this complex operation, many thanks to him and the clinic for this. Excellent care, modern equipment, competent, experienced doctors.

At the beginning of August, I underwent a full check-up at the NACFF clinic. I really liked the clinic, the level of high professionalism of all the doctors. I especially want to express my gratitude to the therapist Pashayeva Zhavgar Magomedrasulovna. Despite her young age, Zhavgar Magomedrasulovna is a professional in her field and helps resolve all issues related to my health! A very sensitive and responsible specialist. Good luck, development and prosperity to the NACFF clinic!!!

A good clinic, competent doctors, I really liked Nelegach Tatyana Vladimirovna. Competent professional, patient and very polite. He tells everything on the shelves, a very pleasant person. I also liked the ultrasound specialists, the comfortable atmosphere. The neurologist who did the echocardiography of the heart is very charismatic and attentive. I didn’t really like the gynecologist, Khugaeva, the feeling that I consulted not with a doctor, but in the market) I don’t like gynecologists, it’s difficult for me to have examinations, my body twitches reflexively, that I can’t do anything about it and I have to endure through force. (And I already tried to endure as best I could and lie still) this is when you try to insert lenses into your eyes and the eyelids begin to close themselves. They did a screening of the cervix, I thought I would burn with shame, during the examination, constantly “well, why are you twitching, I don’t hurt, you are having sex, but what’s terrible” post-Soviet attitude entered the chat) inappropriate questions about earnings, etc. ) Most likely, as a specialist, she is really competent, she has gone through so many institutions in her practice, but her attitude towards patients should be improved. In general, the hospital is good, I recommend. Their only disadvantage is poor management, and untimely approval of preliminary plans and estimates. The price tag is adequate, but if you go through a check, prepare for the amount not 110,000, but from 130,000 (if you are about 20 years old) and from 250,000 if you are about 60. Passed 3 times checkup, me, husband and grandmother. And they did an operation to reduce the grandmother's breasts, we are waiting for the results) Doctors - 5 out of 5 Atmosphere - 5 out of 5 Management - 3 out of 5 Politeness - 5 out of 5 Patience - 4 out of 5 Value / quality - 4 out of 5

We turned to cardiologist Tselikova - she helped as if she were a relative - sympathetically, attentively, professionally at all stages. It is a rare feeling that every patient is extremely important. She involved other specialists, and Yu Govorova won her over with her rigor and responsible attention. Thanks to them and Hadassah! 🙏

I thank Kmet Viktor Igorevich for the delicately performed FEGDS procedure. I was afraid of endoscopy, did not want to swallow the endoscope, but the doctor paid extra attention to the preparation, taught me how to breathe correctly during the study, so I calmly agreed and followed all the doctor's instructions. During FEGDS, Viktor Igorevich distracted me, told me about what he saw. It really got me distracted. Thank you for the delicacy, tact, care and attention!

I operated on my mother at Hadassah in Skolkovo. All at the highest level! They diagnosed me in one day, scheduled surgery the next day, and discharged the next day. Everything is clear, you know the treatment plan and all upcoming expenses in advance. Very comfortably! The rooms are comfortable, like in a hotel. Beauty is all around. A person does not feel like he is in a hospital, which means he recovers faster. Many thanks to the team of doctors! True professionals and wonderful people. Thank you very much to the junior and nursing staff for your care. Mom felt like family here. Good luck in your business!

They giving your personal data to Delta Generli bank, after that operators from bank call you every 3 weeks and trying to sell you insurance, avoid this clinik....

My dad had called the nurses on the buzzer 20 times they did not attend so he called me. I had to leave my apartment to come and see him so he could go to the toilet very unprofessional.

I made an appointment for surgery with general anesthesia in 16.30. I didn’t eat and drink for almost a day before the anesthesia. I called the clinic twice before the surgery to make sure everything was ok. When I arrived at the appointed time, my time had been moved to 11.30! Of course, the operation was canceled. Very unprofessional attitude towards patients.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to the doctors of the traumatology.orthopedics clinic.for their sensitive attention.and care during.my stay.Starting from.the head.of.the.department.to.the.coordinator. Christina, the doctor who operated on Tkalin. Artem Nikolaevich, attending physician Mikhail Belash. Andreevich, Alekhan Andrey Nikolaevich. That's what people in their places mean. I bow to you for your hard work.

There are no complaints about the doctors. There are also no complaints about the conditions that I almost wrote about the content. But ! Administrators of this institution! Make sure that you don’t have one at checkout, at the checkout counter, at the register, or at the reception desk!!!! your specialist was rushing about, but at least half of the declared 13 windows were working! I completed the procedure faster than sitting in the queue at the reception at the cash desk! Again ? You have one employee working for you! One !

According to the profile of treatment, they were satisfied with the doctor and the attitude towards the patient. Nice and professional doctors. Ambiguous opinion about a paid hospital. 6600 rubles a room. Disgusting food. True, how can you feed "it"? Cold jelly soups made from some kind of pasta, with a hint of defrosted chicken meat, half-dried pies. The husband asked the clerk for lunch instead of soup for potatoes, she said that she had promised her to another ward))). For breakfast, kefir and orange))). A bathroom with a persistent smell of sewerage, which was not eliminated, even by pouring a product into it (from home, by the way). Each gesture of the staff and procedures is paid in addition to the cost of the ward. Free was only a thermometer at night)))). Well, in general .... having such prices for paid services and the state budget, the FNCC of the 90s and 2023 remained the same (with the exception of the new CDC). The same doors in the departments, the same shabby floors, the same stream in which to find a competent doctor is a lottery for a million. All good and health!

Knee replacement was performed. The operation was painful and complicated.. I was very pleased. High specialists, masters of their craft. Just wizards. And what else I liked was the attitude of the staff. The team is united and attentive. thank you for everything

On July 20, 2023, an operation to replace the left knee joint was performed. I would like to very much thank the entire operating team of doctors and nurses of Anesthesiology for their professionalism, sensitive attitude, attention to patients, and also say words of gratitude to the entire team at the trauma department of the hospital. Thank you very much. Good health to everyone

If I were to evaluate the surrounding area and the outside of the hospital at the moment, it looks like a battlefield in terms of repairs and modifications, but the hospital itself is more important 🏥, and I already evaluated it once and my evaluation has not changed, i.e. I will never allow it to go to the FN, great doctors and, of course, nurses, with whom my patients communicate first. Above-standard care, just great respect and admiration for me. Thanks to all the medical staff 👍💐👏👌

I want to thank one-day surgery for the care during elbow surgery,, 👍🏻,, the attitude of the doctors is great and the nurses are amazing,,💯💯💯,, nurse Michaela Bulínová is simply the best!!!,, thank you for everything,,♥️😍🤗,, I hope, that the review will reach her,,🙋🏻‍♀️😉👍🏻😃

On July 4th, emergency admission.. we come with our son (16 months), he was bleeding from the head after a fall at home. First comes the queue lady, very unpleasant, she didn't even know how to buzz... then we sit in the waiting room, wait for 2 hours - I'm reminded of a one-year-old child with a head injury! Even the staff (probably the medical brother) found it strange that they still didn't take us!! And finally a Ukrainian woman came, she knocked, and let them take her right away, that she has a stomach ache, and they? They took her because, after all, the glory of Ukraine.. a mockery of Czech citizens and especially children.. UK is always preferred🙏🏽 I only give 1 star because of the attentiveness of the gentleman. I DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! We called Mulac's hospital, and despite the fact that they only treat children from 3 years old, they told us to come if they would leave us waiting like that with such a small child!!

Ok

A real life saver!

I went there twice to get some treatment. Both of my problems were solved as quickly as possible and never bothered me again. Very professional staff. Not sure if they all speak good English, since I spoke Czech but they were trying hard to understand me, a foreigner.