Why I Haven't Been Blogging
..because about two weeks ago I had a cold that has turned into the sinus infection from HELL. Finally, tired of blowing the snot equivalent of a volkswagon out my face every day, I hied myself over to the ER. Possibly not the smartest thing I could have done, but California College Town lacks a walk-in clinic, and my HMO's "primary care provider" is a gynecologist. I didn't want to go through the byzantine system of office visits and referrals. So, to the ER. To wait.
And wait. Alone. Because, you see, I was the only person in the waiting room. For about an hour and a half. Finally, I got called into the back, where I spent another hour. Waiting. This time, I wasn't exactly alone, because every once in a while a nurse or a med student would pop their head in, and we'd have the following conversation:
Them: So what seems to be the trouble?
Me: For the past two weeks, I've had sinus pain and pressure, a sore throat, and green discharge from my nose. I think it's a sinus infection.
Them: Sounds like it. Had one before?
Me: Yes, all the time.
Them: So what do they usually do for you?
Me: They give me antibiotics.
Them: Aaaah yeah- well, the doctor will be in shortly.
So finally, the doctor comes in and we have the EXACT same conversation. He then asks me if I'm a student. I said that no, I was a postdoc. I KNOW he heard me, because he said, "oh, congratulations". He then proceeded to tell me that he wasn't going to prescribe me any antibiotics, because he didn't really like to, but instead, I should try squirting some saline solution up my nose.
Wait- come again? Saline solution? I might as well swing a live rat above my face while reciting the Lord's prayer. That's ANOTHER popular cure FROM THE DARK AGES. He went on to say that if I was still sick in seven days, I should go to student health. Ok, wait. I missed something. I thought we agreed:
1. I had an active infection.
2...that I'd had for two weeks.
3. I'm not a student - I'm staff, and unable to go to student health. Otherwise, I would have gone to student health IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOT WAITED TWO AND A HALF HOURS TO SEE A GODDAMNED HIPPY DOCTOR WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ME TO TREAT A SINUS INFECTION WITH SALT WATER AND GODDAMNED MOONBEAMS.
Now I'm a reasonable person, and given the choice between a goddamned stupid cure and no cure at all, I'm likely to take the former. I went to the pharmacy and bought some stupid saline solution. Followed his directions to the letter - and here I am almost 24 hours later, still sick, but now I'm sick, pissed as hell, and $70 poorer.
Thanks, California medical establishment!
And wait. Alone. Because, you see, I was the only person in the waiting room. For about an hour and a half. Finally, I got called into the back, where I spent another hour. Waiting. This time, I wasn't exactly alone, because every once in a while a nurse or a med student would pop their head in, and we'd have the following conversation:
Them: So what seems to be the trouble?
Me: For the past two weeks, I've had sinus pain and pressure, a sore throat, and green discharge from my nose. I think it's a sinus infection.
Them: Sounds like it. Had one before?
Me: Yes, all the time.
Them: So what do they usually do for you?
Me: They give me antibiotics.
Them: Aaaah yeah- well, the doctor will be in shortly.
So finally, the doctor comes in and we have the EXACT same conversation. He then asks me if I'm a student. I said that no, I was a postdoc. I KNOW he heard me, because he said, "oh, congratulations". He then proceeded to tell me that he wasn't going to prescribe me any antibiotics, because he didn't really like to, but instead, I should try squirting some saline solution up my nose.
Wait- come again? Saline solution? I might as well swing a live rat above my face while reciting the Lord's prayer. That's ANOTHER popular cure FROM THE DARK AGES. He went on to say that if I was still sick in seven days, I should go to student health. Ok, wait. I missed something. I thought we agreed:
1. I had an active infection.
2...that I'd had for two weeks.
3. I'm not a student - I'm staff, and unable to go to student health. Otherwise, I would have gone to student health IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOT WAITED TWO AND A HALF HOURS TO SEE A GODDAMNED HIPPY DOCTOR WHO WAS GOING TO TELL ME TO TREAT A SINUS INFECTION WITH SALT WATER AND GODDAMNED MOONBEAMS.
Now I'm a reasonable person, and given the choice between a goddamned stupid cure and no cure at all, I'm likely to take the former. I went to the pharmacy and bought some stupid saline solution. Followed his directions to the letter - and here I am almost 24 hours later, still sick, but now I'm sick, pissed as hell, and $70 poorer.
Thanks, California medical establishment!
posted by La Blonde Parisienne at 10:36 AM
3 Comments:
Man, I'm p.o.d too!
Perhaps you should give the rat a try - cheaper, anyway.
Seriously, I'll send you some healing vibes. Be well
Try squirting vodka up your nose - far better antibacterial properties! ;-) Seriously though, that sucks, I hope you feel better soon.
How about drilling a hole in your face to relieve the pressure? Sounds like it would be just as effective but possibly not as painful as the ER experience. Feel better!
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