Leicester: Day 3

This is a low day for the Vansicle.

I woke up this morning and felt a lot worse. My right eye was sore and I could not keep it open. So I wanted to nip the problem in the bud. I went to the health clinic on campus first thing. They were nice. I was afraid that I would not be covered as far as health insurance goes, but the woman asked me, 'Are you a student?', and I said, 'Yes'. She had me fill out a basic health history form, and I guess I am registered with NHS now, the UK health system.

Bad news was that the doctor I saw there could not help me, so she referred me to the Eye Casualty clinic in the Leicester Hospital. So I walked over there, it wasn't too far. From the time I went to the campus clinic to the time I got my eye drops from the hospital pharmacy, it ended up taking about five hours. There was a lot of waiting and a lot of annoying questions about how often I wear my contacts. Both doctors I saw were Indian, and I'm sad to say I could not understand them very well, even with requested repetitions of information. As far as I can tell, I have an eye infection. I have to take eye drops every two hours for one week. Every two hours, even at night. I think I might also have a sinus infection, but I already have some medication to take care of that. The good news is that I think the drops are working, even if a bit slowly. More bad news is that I'm staying in tonight again, while others are at the pub. Wise, yes. Fun, no. But infections can't damper my spirits, and I want to be as healthy as possible next week for registration and meeting more new people and class!

There are midterms going on at KU next week. Midterms. As in, the middle of the term. Half way done. I haven't even started. It's almost difficult to believe I'm getting credit for this.

It goes without saying, but in my medical adventures this morning, I missed out on orientation stuff. Turns out I did not miss much, and I'll be able to catch up tomorrow. Instead I got my orientation in British health care. Lucky me! As frustrating as the experience was, at least I did not pay for anything except the eye drops, which weren't expensive. If they really work, then it will have been worth it. I'll let you know.