my experience at the NHS
my first lj post from london! there's so much that i've missed writing about so far...dublin, non-british boys, classes, my condescending british boss, etc.
so on friday i had my interview with my potential internship, eaves. the woman is basically their press dpt so i'd be working with her to make press packs, answer press phone calls, etc. but i'd also be helping plan special things like the 30th birthday gala and the exhibition at st. paul's with amnesty international and other organizations. she also is going to set up times for me to tour the shelters and do more hands on psych things. but my fears of just doing admin type stuff were totally cleared away...she really wants to involve me in everything and have me suggest things i want to do instead of filing my life away.
then saturday i wake up feeling worse than i had on friday. i have to walk to harrington and then all the way to crofton to reload the card ID system onto their door. on the way there i wanted to cry i hurt so badly. i needed to cough and couldn't breathe deep enough to catch my breath. i called my mom almost in tears even though it was like 7 AM at home and was like i need to go to the doctor i can't breathe.
so i finally manage to get home again and start looking up places to go...everywhere is closed or far away and i get frustrated because i just don't know where to go. at around 3ish i just broke down and asked my flatmate to help me get to the hospital. this whole time i'm the RA on call so i asked another kid to take the phone and stuff (who makes sure to tell me he'll give it back as soon as i get back...i'm like i need to go to the hospital bye). we take a cab to the causualty dpt ...which turns out to be one i've passed by and really close.
i write down my address here and abroad and my next of kin on the paper they give me. about an hr later i get called to see the assessment nurse who takes my breathing level and temperature. about an hr and a half later if that the doctor calls me...john, young, quite cute, makes good conversation with me (if only i weren't death-like!) so after much a-do about what i can take with what i'm allergic to, he brings my medicine out to me...it was determined that i did indeed have pneumonia. i go up to the counter to pay, at which they look super confused, ask if the doctor was finished with me (yes) and then are like, well, then go. i was treated well and efficiently and sent on my way with free medicine! i love the NHS.
already i feel much better in that i can breathe better and have less coughing fits. still working on the whole fever/headache and general weakness thing.
so on friday i had my interview with my potential internship, eaves. the woman is basically their press dpt so i'd be working with her to make press packs, answer press phone calls, etc. but i'd also be helping plan special things like the 30th birthday gala and the exhibition at st. paul's with amnesty international and other organizations. she also is going to set up times for me to tour the shelters and do more hands on psych things. but my fears of just doing admin type stuff were totally cleared away...she really wants to involve me in everything and have me suggest things i want to do instead of filing my life away.
then saturday i wake up feeling worse than i had on friday. i have to walk to harrington and then all the way to crofton to reload the card ID system onto their door. on the way there i wanted to cry i hurt so badly. i needed to cough and couldn't breathe deep enough to catch my breath. i called my mom almost in tears even though it was like 7 AM at home and was like i need to go to the doctor i can't breathe.
so i finally manage to get home again and start looking up places to go...everywhere is closed or far away and i get frustrated because i just don't know where to go. at around 3ish i just broke down and asked my flatmate to help me get to the hospital. this whole time i'm the RA on call so i asked another kid to take the phone and stuff (who makes sure to tell me he'll give it back as soon as i get back...i'm like i need to go to the hospital bye). we take a cab to the causualty dpt ...which turns out to be one i've passed by and really close.
i write down my address here and abroad and my next of kin on the paper they give me. about an hr later i get called to see the assessment nurse who takes my breathing level and temperature. about an hr and a half later if that the doctor calls me...john, young, quite cute, makes good conversation with me (if only i weren't death-like!) so after much a-do about what i can take with what i'm allergic to, he brings my medicine out to me...it was determined that i did indeed have pneumonia. i go up to the counter to pay, at which they look super confused, ask if the doctor was finished with me (yes) and then are like, well, then go. i was treated well and efficiently and sent on my way with free medicine! i love the NHS.
already i feel much better in that i can breathe better and have less coughing fits. still working on the whole fever/headache and general weakness thing.