Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The polyclinic experience

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It took me about 2 hours to see the doctor. I entertained myself by occasionally glancing at the local Chinese drama on the TV box, shopping online and trying to absorb some grammar and vocabulary from my old Japanese notes.

A little boy walked in front of me to offer me his plastic bag and Ribena pastille sweet. I just smiled and shook my head. After a while, he offered me a magazine which I also gently refused and gestured that he could return it to the rack. Strangely, he did as I told him. 15 minutes later, an Indian middle age lady showed me a magazine and pointed to a photo and said "baby". I smiled @ her too before she had to follow her minder into the consultation room. When it was my turn, the female doctor who looked my age or younger seemed quite competent. She didn't detect anything suspicious that the GP highlighted to me during a recent health screening. However, she will refer me to a specialist just to follow up.

My visit to the polyclinic came about as F thinks it's ridiculous for me to cough out $1,000 for a scan at a private hospital. She suggested that I get a second opinion and maybe a referral if the doctor thinks it's necessary. I'm glad I heed her advice :)

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