Going to the Doctor... in France

I was still feeling pretty pathetic this morning... so I emailed Laurence and told her I'd like to go to the doctor if she was available today. I called her a little later and she said she'd call the doctor's office I found online. She emailed me right back saying that I had an appointment for 2:00 this afternoon. She came by to pick me up a few minutes before and the doctor's office was just down the street. She was shocked at how close it was.... so I guess when you need to find the nearest doctor, google is your friend.

We went into the office... there was no sort of receptionist, just a waiting room. We sat down across from a little kid and his dad. The doctor came by and had them go in first. They were done in 10 minutes and he called us in. He shook our hands and had us sit down at his desk. He asked to see my carte vitale, my French health insurance card.... but I haven't been sent mine yet. (Laurence vouched for me that I worked for the schools and that I just hadn't received my card yet.) He asked what was wrong with me... a couple of other questions (allergies, date of birth), and then had me lay down on the bed in the same room as his office. He listened to me breath, took my blood pressure, and announced that I had la grippe, or the flu. I thought.... alrighty then- just what we thought. He prescribed me some ibuprofen, paracetamol, cough syrup that tastes like butterscotch, something for my tummy, and some sort of nose spray that disinfects your sinuses. He told me to lay off the ibuprofen because that's what has upset my stomach... only take it at meal times and if absolutely necessary. I paid for my visit, 23 euros, and we were on our way.

Laurence took me grocery shopping... which was very nice of her to do. I felt a little woozy walking around the store, but got a few things I needed (paper towels, tissues, and juice!). After shopping, she took me to the pharmacy to pick up the meds I needed. For some reason they gave me 2 or 3 of everything, so I guess I'll be set for the rest of the year. In total, for 8 different boxes of medicine, I paid 19 euros!

When we got back to my apartment, Laurence walked me up with my groceries and showed me what to do with the paperwork to get reimbursed for the doctor's visit and the medicine. Had I had my carte vitale, I know the doctor's visit would have been free and the medicine would have been reimbursed too. But.... at the end of the day, not too bad as far as not really being insured yet!

I am feeling much better... just very tired. The doctor told me to stay home all week, so I guess I will unless I'm feeling back to normal Thursday. It's so odd- all of my teachers have said, stay home stay home! Feel better! Get rid of your germs soon! So I guess if you're sick, they don't want you to come back until you're back to normal. I'm ok with that.

Okie dokie, time to go take a cat nap. Miss you all!

Reste cool:)