Because of an inflamed pharynx and larynx caused by many things to enumerate during the Christmas and Yuletide holidays (hehe, really?!!), I lost my voice again to a sore throat. Unknowingly I also had my pharynx infected causing some choking sensations when I swallowed. I tolerated this condition for 5 days so that on the 6th day when the pain was on its worst, I went to the District Hospital in our place for check-up. I went early in the morning thinking that there would be many patients on the waiting when I would leave a little bit later. Well, an early bird really catches an early worm. I was the second patient on line that morning (although we were only five patients that time until I left the hospital). The annoying intern student nurses were the ones who filled the OPD-ER. They were the ones assigned to get some information from patients before they are finally ushered to the doctor’s station. I waited until 8:00 when the Cashier’s Office would be opened and when the Doctor on duty would arrive.
A few minutes past 8:00, a lady doctor arrived who was somewhat suplada. Then the ball started to roll. The first patient was called into her room and know what? - was out just after one minute. Then my turn came. I entered the room and without waiting for me to sit down, she asked me what was my problem. I told her of my throat trouble then she asked me to open my mouth. She just made a quick look without using any light. I wonder what she glanced at! Did she have bionic eyes? What I expected of a doctor when diagnosing a throat illness is a thorough detail. She then immediately, wrote her prescription on her list, gave it to me and told me not to drink cold water. That was it. I was out by just around one minute and a few more seconds than the first patient. And she proved she was really suplada! I didn’t know what those pills she prescribed me because I didn’t buy them anyway. CONSULTATION FEE: P30.00
With great dismay, I hailed a jeepney ride to the city while grumbling to myself of how stupid I am to be trusting yet this hospital and why did I not go directly to the city (around 30 minutes ride from that district hospital) and see an EENT specialist! I made my time useless that morning. Anyhow, I went directly to a private hospital in the city and looked for a specialist on EENT. I found one and patiently hanged around for my turn as he had many patients waiting.
The doctor was smiling when I entered his room. He asked me many details of what I ate and what I did recently. He brought out his pen light and a spatula and looked into my throat. He pulled my tongue a little bit and asked me to squeak out a high-pitched tone. He even knew I was choking which I really did. He told me to have a complete voice rest for 3-5 days and if I wanted to say something, I should write it on a sheet of paper. Wow! What a punishment! He told me things to do and things not to do if I wanted to have a complete recovery. He even asked me to have a chest x-ray since as he said, frequent sore throats are sometimes associated with abnormalities in the lungs. He prescribed me antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-colds and should go back to see him after 5 days. CONSULTATION FEE: P300.00
