Sick

It was only a matter of time before I got sick.  I did think I'd make it passed the two month mark (today, by the way) before that happened, but what can you do?  So I woke up on Monday morning feeling like death.  This was particularly  unfortunate since I don't get paid sick leave for 3 years.  Definitely not in DC anymore- I miss you, federal government benefits!

I tried to fight it with lots of sleep and Advil.  By 3:00, I knew I wasn't going to make it to work that evening.  So I called out.  Unfortunately, my supervisor was already making the schedule for the next day, so I had to tell him about then as well.  It didn't seem like death was ever going away, so I said to count me out for then too.  The problem is, two consecutive sick days requires a receipt from a doctor.  What the heck?  Everyone knows I hate going to the doctor.  But, it had to be done.  Lucky for me, there were two English-speaking doctors within walking distance.  Plus, my personal translator/interpreter was home for Winter break.

Despite the scary bowl of red liquid that he washed his hands in and the cold metal tongue depressor, it was fine.  He was a jolly little Japanese man who had funny English.  He asked me to lay in the "supine position."  I don't know why I find little old Asian men so cute, but I do.

Can I just say this?  National Health Insurance is amazing.  President Obama, if you are reading this- please take note.  It's the bomb.  I walked out of there paying only $15.  I had gone to the ATM beforehand and taken out $100, worrying it wouldn't be enough.  That $15 not only covered my visit but five, count them- FIVE kinds of medicine!

Four kinds of tablets and a strange powdered substance

Now, I'm not crazy enough to take all those drugs, but it was pretty cool to get them all!  Luckily I came with my own personal medical cabinet, so I just stuck to good ol' Costco-supplied drugs.  But still- 15 bucks!  What a bargain.

So with my receipt in hand, it was back to work tonight.  Thank goodness I have the next 5 days off for New Year's.  Hopefully, I'm back to normal tomorrow.