The first national holiday - spent in the hospital

 

I've had a pain in my armpits since Sunday so I had to see a doctor. I decided to check out the hospital to which I live close. It was quite an experience! 

First of all, we have the King's Memorial Day today in Thailand (and believe me, it was only me who was not wearing a yellow T-shirt which is the official colour of the king)! I woke up early in the morning and went straight to the hospital. It's nice, because there is a highway next to my apartment and there is a bridge above it only for passengers, which takes me directly to the entrance of Kasemrad hospital. I packed my life insurance (purchased from home),the insurance card (which the school gave to me last week) and also some money with me. 

At the entrance, after the usual screening and temperature check, an elegant lady escorted me to the third floor where they copied all my documents and luckily, I had a copy of my passport in my e-mail as well which I could send directly to the hospital. They printed it immediately and that's how my personal file has been created in just 5 minutes upon my arrival! Then a nurse took care of me - I had to wait and sit for a couple of minutes, until they called me "Miss Elza!", then they took my blood pressure, weight and height (61 kgs :O so it was worth hitting the gym last night hehe :-D ), and then I just had to sit and wait for the doctor. 

The doctor gave me a thorough medical check, we discussed something, he explained everything in English and I was released. I spent there an hour or so? A little bit more than that. When I mean, there, I mean a hotel lounge... It really looked like one. It was furnished with comfortable leather sofas and there was water, too, to drink if one needed. All the nurses and doctors were super helpful and kind. Then, I had to go to the cashier desk, where I got my medication and I had to pay only 165 baht - which is approximately 3$. The system is similar to the one in Ecuador: you exactly get as many pills as many you need (so you don't have to buy the whole box!). Luckily, the insurance covered the whole treatment, so that I had to pay only for the meds. But still.... It was a very unique experience, no stress, no fear, plus, everyone in the hospital is smiling and treating you as an equal partner. 

To tell the truth, I was very scared. I know what a pain or a gland-inflammation in the armpit MIGHT mean or COULD mean - and especially with knowing my family's genetical history. What's more, I felt so alone and so isolated at that moment - and when one is in pain, one always thinks of the worst, first. I'm forever grateful for some colleagues (B, M), who are constantly checking up on me. I don't want to make a big fuss of it - but also kind of proud of myself that I took it seriously, too - instead of just shoveling it away and despite my fear, as well. And now, that it turned out a minor "folliculitis" (inflammation of hair, under skin), I'm more relieved - but also more pissed. Vanity fair! I stop shaving for now. So stupid (I've always found this stupid) of risking our skin and making it thinner and less resistant! When it's really no need for that. I know that Mother Nature has created us perfect the way we are so it would be time not to change all the ways and everything.