Ah, a visit to the doctor's office

[valis2]

I have no health insurance. I generally don't visit the doctor's office for anything. In fact, the last time I visited a doctor was probably in 1994. Last night my throat hurt so much that I knew I had no choice today. A friend offered to drive me, and after I accepted, they mentioned how they'd have to take time off work blah blah blah, so I just drove myself. I don't like feeling guilty, and it's not like I'm really incapacitated or anything. (The last time I went in for my usual sinus infection problem, they refused to prescribe me antibiotics, and told me to drink a lot of clear liquids and take it very easy. So after that I didn't bother, and they have all cleared up in about a week.)

I went to the ambulatory clinic I used to go to, but it is now a different clinic with an internist, and it was closed at 12, and I got there at 12:55. Ugh. I should have called first. The old doctor who used to practice there left it in 1996 or so, and I knew this, but I thought they had continued the clinic.

I drove past an Urgent Care place, but I would definitely not label a sore throat "urgent". I turned the wrong way on one street (intentionally), hoping to get a better look at the sign for the urgent care place, and lo and behold! there was a clinic on that street, with walk-ins welcome. Huzzah.

I went in, the doctor had to have lunch before I could see him, no problem there, and he diagnosed it as sinusitis, a bad infection. He said it's worse when it's not draining out of your nose, which is exactly what's happening, so lucky me. *rolls eyes* Though I am glad to be able to breathe, very much glad in fact.

So now I have the amox antibiotic and Allegra, and I've taken tomorrow off too, and this whole week is going to be valis-sick-and-watching-Monty-Python week, which is troubling only on the financial front and the holiday preparation front.

Thank you all for your kind well-wishing. :)

Comments

[zoepaleologa.livejournal.com]

Offers hot toddy.

Hope you feel better soon.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much. I hope so too. I wish I felt like writing because then all this downtime would be worth something, at the very least.

BTW, I agree with what you said to that person on hp_essays, the one who attacked JKR's writing. I don't know if she was expecting Shakespeare/Tolkien reincarnated, but that's not what JKR's about, and I'm glad people pointed it out to her.

[greenpear.livejournal.com]

Ohh do I understand the No Health Insurance. Luckily during the period that I did have insurance is when my gall bladder went south. Without the insurance, I would probably still be thinking about how to pay that one off.

Be well.

[zoepaleologa.livejournal.com]

Grr. There's been a spate of idiocy on that comm, which used to be a comparative haven. You didn't have to agree with everything on it (and, surprise, surprise, I didn't) but generally it made a change from the overemphasis on fanfic on the lj fandom.

But over the past few days - there was that barmy silliness about the Black Family (the one that crossed over JKR with Judith Krantz: "and they have the finest dishes ordered in from France and Italy") and there's been other stuff that's just, gah.

And actually people can hate on JKR if they want, however, it's a bit silly calling yourself a fan if you do.

[pen-and-umbra.livejournal.com]

Aw! Get well soon, 'kay? I have much faith in the curative powers of Brit comedy, so the Python should have you up and about in no time at all. :D

[florence-craye.livejournal.com]

Get well soon! :D

[sylvadin.livejournal.com]

My hubbie has had bouts of sinusitis - you have my sympathies. Here's a virtual reality cup of homemade chicken soup.

Be sure to sip lots of hot tea and take frequent long hot showers. The moist heat will help your sinus cavities to drain. If you're also prone to that sinus headache pain then using a heat pack can be soothing. Finally, though it may sound odd, some people find that avoiding dairy products during a bout of sinusitis seems to help the congestion clear out faster.

Okay, I'll stop being a mother hen now... ;-)
Take care of yourself.

[jen-deben.livejournal.com]

Well, here's hoping the formatting won't screw this up.


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[gillieweed.livejournal.com]

Glad you finally got in! YAY antibiotics. Theraflu won't help sinusitis. Not even my beloved Nyquil can fix that one.
The amox should have you feeling better in no time flat. I've been swigging some homeopathic sludge all day trying to fight of the crud my dearest darling daughter's so generously passed on to me.

[blackletter]

We have matching antibiotics! Like twinsies!

I hope you get well soon! (Or else I'll throw more exclamation points at you!!!!!)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I had to stop watching it. Even though there are some good essays, there are many I'm just not interested in. I rely on the flist/newsletters to post links to the good ones.

And actually people can hate on JKR if they want, however, it's a bit silly calling yourself a fan if you do.

Heh...quite true. As much as I have problems with some of her writing, I still am extremely happy that she took the time to write it at all. I've had a lot of wonderful experiences because of it, and met a lot of awesome people. (And some scary ones, but that's how it goes. ;) )

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm always worried about exactly that thing.

Thanks, I'm trying my best to feel better. ;)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I've just purchased the 16 ton megaset, and have been watching from episode one on, and I'm at episode 14, and I'm surprised at the little references to other episodes that are cropping up that I never noticed before. Amusing.

As much as I like the classic sketches, there are several other ones that are quite amusing as well. What masters they were of pacing!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

My goodness! That takes me back to my Usenet days...*grins* Lovely, thanks ever so much!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! I'm trying my best, definitely.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, the valis sinusitis commandments definitely forbid dairy and encourage long baths and hot washcloths on the face. ;) But thank you so much for the mothering! It was lovely. :)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Oh, you poor thing! I didn't know you were sick too. Now I'm worried...how are we going to get the waaaahmbulance to both places? We'll have to set up a timeshare program. ;)

And, oh yes, yay antibiotics!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

*ducks the wild exclamation points* Thank you, dahling! :)

[mariannelee.livejournal.com]

Hey! Why aren't you watching HP movies AND WRITING CHAPTER 73!?!?!?!?

I how you are back on your feet soon. If you are bored and want to chat, I'm usually around.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

hee!

I really want to write 73, honestly. I even reread some last night, and I'm anxious to, but I feel pretty blah, and the words just aren't coming right now. :(

I'm running back out into the living room to watch a bit more MP, but if you're on later I'd love to chat. :)

[mysduende.livejournal.com]

I completely and utterly empathize with you. Since I got back from my trip to San Diego last November I've been sicker than a dog. I'm in between insurance right now and so it's been a pain - I had a lot of trouble getting treatment for my ear infection/ache because clinics have odd hours and weird rules about their appts. So I went to an ER and had a very bad experience with them - I mean ERs are usually a long wait but the care at this facility was abysmal - I was pretty much neglected and spent 6 hrs there with earache and sinus pain (felt like my head was in a vice) and the doctor kept walking to and fro treating everyone else BUT me. So I left in a huff and got the names of the personal there. I've since wrote up a letter of complaint about it. Finally got treatment from a local clinic with a 10 day bottle of amoxicillin. But even after I got better my ear took forever to unstuff. Then while I was starting to feel like my old self this month, I came down with yet another cold. I've been sick since last Saturday - though luckily not as bad as the first cold. Taking my Zicam and Airborne regularly. What is WITH this winter? I haven't been sick like this in ages. I totally feel for you, dearest. *proffers chicken noodle soup* Feel better. :)

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Merlin, you poor, poor thing!

I usually get one or two big sinus infections per year. Well, I've already had two this year, so this makes three. Argh! It hasn't stuffed up my ears terribly yet, and I haven't gone through a box of puff's plus yet...this is one of the weirdest I've ever had. My voice is insane. I was actually thinking about doing a LJ phonepost just so you all could hear how pathetic it is. *laughs*

I was so worried about going to the Urgent Care thing, because I just kept picturing "Emergency Room" problems and ER costs. Fortunately I found this clinic...$125 for the first visit, $65 for any additional visits. That and $40 worth of medication and I'm on my way to health, I hope. *crosses fingers*

[lady-branwyn.livejournal.com]

Condolences. You probably feel like your head is going to explode (I have been there, and it isn't fun). Yes, I stopped bothering with doctors for sinus infections about 10 years ago--when they stopped handing out antibiotics like candy. Drinking very, very hot tea might help; or turn on the shower as hot as possible and sit in the bathroom and breathe the steam. At least Monty Python will make you snort with laughter, which should help clear that cogestion. :-D
Hope you are feeling better soon!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

It was at the point where I couldn't treat it myself any longer, unfortunately. I have one or two major ones each year, and I haven't had any major problems until this one. It's really wiping the floor with me.

Thank you for your well-wishing, dahling! :)

[avus.livejournal.com]

An ill-humored, sick Giant Squid
Sinusitis from Dumbledore did
Get from things quite unmentionable
And quite unintentional-
Ly got the dear beast on a skid

Downward. Upon his sickbed he lay
Drinking anchovie tea and fillet
of Hogwartsian students
Who had the impudence
To go swimming about in the bay.

Get well soon. Maybe watch Jaws.

[ms-hecubus.livejournal.com]

Blah! It's like a law or something, if you get sinus ick it must be the worst possible type.

Or maybe it's just me. Somehow I don't think so.

[larilee.livejournal.com]

I certainly hope you're feeling better now. I had the last week and just went through my antibiotics and still feeling lousy. :-(

[valis2.livejournal.com]

*laughs like an idjit* Oh, this made my day. *hugs* Thank you so very much!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I sometimes wish I could sit down with my sinuses and explain to them that they are, in fact, part of my body, and every time they choose to act up it sets us all back.

Not that they'd listen. Bastards.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I have taken my fourth antibiotic pill...many more to go. I am so hoping I feel better soon, this is really breaking me down. Plus, I still have all of my holiday shopping and cleaning to do. Blergh.

You poor thing! I hope you feel better soon.

[aramintasnape.livejournal.com]

Oh, I didn't realise you had been so sick - I haven't had much LJ time over the last few days. Glad you got some treatment - take care of yourself! *hugs*

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Hee...you're going backwards! *laughs*

Thanks so much for the sympathy. *hugs*

[aramintasnape.livejournal.com]

I know! I nearly always read my flist backwards! Usually it doesn't matter much because I'm pretty up to date and have only a few posts to read at a time. But over this last week I haven't had much time, plus the Internet connection has been playing up in the evenings.

[avus.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome. I'm pleased it amused.