So I went to the doctor. Want to hear a fun story? Here goes (it may have only been funny to my drugged up brain): The doctor is my co-worker Eugene's mom. Do I need an appointment? No, just show up at her house sometime between 9 and 11 am. Okay. So I do that. Park on the street and walk into an office connected to a house. That's the first odd thing. It literally took me 5 minutes of sitting in the car to convince myself that I wasn't going to die in there. And I really do trust Eugene. So I walked in. There was a lady sitting by a computer who asked for my name. I said "Amy Mock, M-O-C-K", as I usually do. Except in a rattly voice since I'm dying.
"Mark?"
"No, Mock - M-O-C-K"
"umm....Mark?"
"No, M-O-C-K, like, making fun of someone"
"Well that's a funny way of spelling it"
"....."
She tells me to sit down. There are 4 people sitting on these benches. It's funny to me. It was like we were sitting on a train, waiting for a doctor. Bizarre.
The people in front of me all went and it took about 5 minutes per person. Two remarkably attractive guys came in. It was me and them and the receptionist lady turned to me and said I needed to fill out a form. That was fine, and all the form really asked for was my name and address. I went with it. Then had the most entertaining conversation ever.
"Is this your real address?"
"Yes, ma'am"
"Where are you from?"
"America?"
"Then that is your address"
"No, no it isn't. I live in South Africa. *cough up one lung*"
"But if you are from America then you don't live in South Africa."
*Handsome men laughing sooooo hard*
"I lived in America. I do have an address in America. But I moved to South Africa. I live here now. So that is my address.
"But if you are from America, how can you move here?"
*I have a killer headache, so please don't judge me for this*
"Lots of ways, I guess, but I packed a bag and got on a plane. It was a pretty good way of moving."
*handsome man actually snorts*
"Ohhhh I see. Thanks dear."
I sat back down and one of the guys winked at me. I am glad sick me can still make people laugh. Then, reception lady turned to me again - "I'm sorry, dear, is it Ms. or Mrs.?"
"It's Ms., thanks for pointing it out."
Right. So that concluded the awkward waiting room chatter. I was terrified of the rest of this doctor experience, not gonna lie....So she called me back into the office. I sat in a chair and she asked how I was feeling and she looked in my mouth and listened to my lungs and wrote me a prescription. 3 minutes. Awesome.
It cost R150. (~$20) That wasn't my co-pay. That was the cost. Who even NEEDS insurance in this country. Also, codeine is an OTC drug. Right. So I got all my drugs (antibiotics, codeine, advil and an inhaler) for R180. That wasn't my co-pay either. I can definitely afford health care in this country.
In related news, I still feel miserable. When I breathe, it sounds like a coffee maker. Seriously. Also I got locked out of my house again today. BUT my landlady plans to get a microwave for my kitchen this week, and I might be able to actually make food for the first time in nearly 3 months. That's something. And I got to lay in bed and watch the Shawshank Redemption today. Next up - The Italian Job. Then I am going to go for a
Random Thoughts:
- Life is easier when you can take a deep breath and relax.
- I am a wimp.
- I miss my piano.
- If you want anything from South Africa, let me know ASAP ([email protected])
- Music is the best thing ever. I need more listening suggestions. Pass them along please. :)
"Mark?"
"No, Mock - M-O-C-K"
"umm....Mark?"
"No, M-O-C-K, like, making fun of someone"
"Well that's a funny way of spelling it"
"....."
She tells me to sit down. There are 4 people sitting on these benches. It's funny to me. It was like we were sitting on a train, waiting for a doctor. Bizarre.
The people in front of me all went and it took about 5 minutes per person. Two remarkably attractive guys came in. It was me and them and the receptionist lady turned to me and said I needed to fill out a form. That was fine, and all the form really asked for was my name and address. I went with it. Then had the most entertaining conversation ever.
"Is this your real address?"
"Yes, ma'am"
"Where are you from?"
"America?"
"Then that is your address"
"No, no it isn't. I live in South Africa. *cough up one lung*"
"But if you are from America then you don't live in South Africa."
*Handsome men laughing sooooo hard*
"I lived in America. I do have an address in America. But I moved to South Africa. I live here now. So that is my address.
"But if you are from America, how can you move here?"
*I have a killer headache, so please don't judge me for this*
"Lots of ways, I guess, but I packed a bag and got on a plane. It was a pretty good way of moving."
*handsome man actually snorts*
"Ohhhh I see. Thanks dear."
I sat back down and one of the guys winked at me. I am glad sick me can still make people laugh. Then, reception lady turned to me again - "I'm sorry, dear, is it Ms. or Mrs.?"
"It's Ms., thanks for pointing it out."
Right. So that concluded the awkward waiting room chatter. I was terrified of the rest of this doctor experience, not gonna lie....So she called me back into the office. I sat in a chair and she asked how I was feeling and she looked in my mouth and listened to my lungs and wrote me a prescription. 3 minutes. Awesome.
It cost R150. (~$20) That wasn't my co-pay. That was the cost. Who even NEEDS insurance in this country. Also, codeine is an OTC drug. Right. So I got all my drugs (antibiotics, codeine, advil and an inhaler) for R180. That wasn't my co-pay either. I can definitely afford health care in this country.
In related news, I still feel miserable. When I breathe, it sounds like a coffee maker. Seriously. Also I got locked out of my house again today. BUT my landlady plans to get a microwave for my kitchen this week, and I might be able to actually make food for the first time in nearly 3 months. That's something. And I got to lay in bed and watch the Shawshank Redemption today. Next up - The Italian Job. Then I am going to go for a
Random Thoughts:
- Life is easier when you can take a deep breath and relax.
- I am a wimp.
- I miss my piano.
- If you want anything from South Africa, let me know ASAP ([email protected])
- Music is the best thing ever. I need more listening suggestions. Pass them along please. :)