The Story
Prelude
“I think you should see a doctor. You look terrible.”
“Yeah, I think I should…” I replied tiredly. Heaving a sigh, I looked at my watch.
1.30 pm. The nearest clinic won’t be open till 2 pm. For the past few days, I desperately tried to avoid seeing a doctor. In my attempts to get better or so I thought I would, I savaged whatever medicine I could get from the home’s kit box.
Korzen. Pacofen. And pearl powder tablets, which helped to clear the sore throat. But I’m still aching, and there’s certainly no sign of the swollen lymph nodes subsiding.
Slumped in the chair, I worked on the reports to pass the time but my mind wasn’t on it. I felt frustrated. Defeated. I can’t take this fight back again to the doc’s. For certain he will feed me with antibiotics and I’m not sure if I could take anymore of those for this frail body.
“I’m going to the doc’s.” My eyes gazed over and the lighting suddenly seemed too bright for my liking. Before anyone said anything, I skipped out of office.
1 - The Clinic
“The clinic is closed in the afternoon today.
The doctors are out for a seminar.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
I stood, dumbfounded as I stared at the notice. Really, when I needed some conveniences.
I took my wallet out to check if the Mediguard card’s there. I could go to the underground clinic near my place. It will be free. Though I never liked visiting clinics on the company’s list because of the cheap medicine they give you under the scheme, my pocket’s feeling the pinch from the last two visits to a non-participating clinic.
Dazed as I made my way there, the familiar sights of where I once lived soon greeted me. They somewhat gave me a little comfort and the fever seemed to have cleared, but the joints are still in pain at every step. My resolution wavered. Maybe all I need is to get some rest and I will be fine.
Yet, my legs still brought me in front of the counter. I showed her the card.
“Sorry, we are no longer in the scheme. You will need to pay. Is that alright with you?” the clinic assistant looked at me for a response.
I sure have great luck today. I nodded to her in resignation and sat down to wait for my turn to be called.
“Bella, you may go in.”
As I entered, the young bespectacled doctor beckoned me to take a seat. “Hello Bella, how are you feeling today?”
I wasn’t good with words, but I am with medicine.
I showed him the piece of paper where I scribbled the dates and the names of the medicine, and he copied them down on my med history card. “I’ve been having sore throat and fever for the past two weeks. I recovered and I fell ill again…I don’t have any other symptoms…”
He creased his brows. I silently hoped it’s not H1N1.
“Let me listen to your breathing.”
I tried to adjust my back to face him but the position of the chair did not allow it. I tried again. “It’s okay. I’ll do the turning.”
After that’s done, my throat’s up next for inspection.
“This is the worst tonsillitis I’ve seen in the past few days.”
“I don’t feel the pain. Just that my lymph nodes are swollen...” I know I couldn’t win a doctor, but I have to give it a try.
“It’s very red.” He said to end my protest, while reaching for the side of my neck to confirm the bumps.
“Are you given 5 days of antibiotics for the previous times?”
“Yes…”
“I’m going to increase it to 10 days.”
“Eh?” I blinked in disbelief. It’s really that bad, huh.
“I’ll give you 5 days’ supply first. And after that, I want you to see me again. Is that okay?”
I cocked my head slightly, not quite understand what he just said. My mind flashed a thought if this is how doctors can pick up girls. Maybe my future-dentist cousin could learn a thing or two.
Seeing my bewildered expression, he added “I want to make sure that everything’s cleared. If the throat’s pink, I’ll let you go. Otherwise, you need to take another 5 days’ supply.”
“Okay….” I have had no choice.
“I’ll give you Augmentin…Will you be okay with that?”
I gave him a hesitant look. I don’t know if giving me back the same medicine will make a difference.
“Argh, I get you Clariwin. I’ll give you Korzen too. But this time, you must take 2 tablets 3 times a day.”
“Can I take 1 tablet when I feel better?” I’m still trying to wriggle my way out.
As he went on to explain when I can stop taking 2 tablets, my mind stoned from the weight I felt of my head. No fever, but certainly the pressure’s there. Perhaps I caught a cold.
“Do you understand?”, breaking my wandering thoughts. He must have seen my eyes being unfocused.
“Yes, yes,” I skirted through so I could be done with this.
“I know you are scared of taking medicine already. Why the sore throat and fever keep coming back is because the duration of the antibiotics is too short. If I give you 5 days’ supply only, this will happen again.“
“Okay then….thank you, doctor.” I stood up and made my way out of the room to collect the meds. Maybe it won’t be that bad, coming back to the clinic. I certainly don’t mind the eye-candy.
And then, I realised I have to pay consultation fee again the next time.
Well, that sucks.