August 9 I lost

After doing some initial investigating on the health system I have made it my goal to stay out of a doctors surgery. Of course when you publicly declare to your family and friends that this is your intention you are almost certainly doomed . In Australia I’d see the doctor about once in every 5 years . With those stats I’m surely well placed to live up to my statement . Already I  have just avoided a visit on a foot wound that really should of been stitched up by the doc. After being very sore for a couple of weeks I punched the air and smiled to myself and said ,’you got out of that one nicely Howie’. The system is foreign to what we’re used to in Australia and as I’ve previously blogged it is intimidating and expensive .So keeping fit and not working should galvanise my position of being doctor free, but no . 8 days, that’s how long my ear has been blocked for. My head has a pillow stuck inside it and all I can hear is my heartbeat pumping through the right side of my head . I took action and hit the chemist 1st with drops and anti inflammatories then after that failed I raided the 1st aid kit and found a 10 pack of antibiotics. I checked them on line (cephelaxin) and you beauty they can be used to treat ear infection.With 3 tablets left there’s been no improvement .Of course  I have to admit it felt like it was improving , that was until yesterday I got the ear wet. After staying out of the water for 5 days I took Tex down to the beach and I brought the surfboard down just in case the swell pushed up past the 1 foot range . I had no intention of going out , just wanted to feel the board under the arm . Of course to my surprise (bullshit) the waves had finally come back . Fuck it , I’ve got some ear plugs ,out I go . On returning to my towel I notice that my sunglasses are no longer on my towel . The 1 st warning of impending doom should of been alarm enough . So here I am , having got here at 9 am , only to be told that the minute clinic (operated by nurse ) isn’t open until 10 am at this destination . I’m the second in the queue to plug my details into the computer at 10 01 . I’m still sitting here and it’s 1045 ………Ok, I’m out at 1130 . The nurse was very thorough . Diagnosis: perforated ear drum . You are fucking kidding .A strong dose of oral antibiotics and a steroidal antibiotic ear drops . I’m told that they’re  not sure that our family cover that Em gets through her work salary will cover me . The drops that she wanted to give me were priced in excess of $100 . I said no , i’l risk it for a cheaper less effective version . Turns out the coverage is applicable . Previously I’d argued strongly of taking the low or intermediate option of cover but Em went higher and thus a fair chunk of her salary would be sacrificed for this . Lucky for me , as the whole process cost me $34. It would of cost around$300 for one of the many Americans who had basic cover or none at all . That aside , I’m now marooned on shore for a week . I have to see a doctor to get the all clear or a referral to an ear and eye specialist . Just great . Guess what ? After 3 weeks of near flat conditions the ocean is finally throwing up some nice waves . Lesson learnt , shut the fuck up about being the one who doesn’t get sick .