Day 157 in Japan - Bri Goes to the ENT (and school)

Today was the last day of school for 2010, and I had my first use of my daikyu (accumulated leave). But it wasn't for a fun reason - I had to go to the doctor to get some antibiotics for a sinus infection.  My first doctor experience was an interesting one. First, I went to the address I had been given for a doctor that speaks decent Japanese to find about 6 places that all looked like doctors surgeries to me!

My last stamping of the attendance book for 2010!

I went to the one that looked closest to my target dot in Google maps (thankyou again, iPhone), which turned out to be a gastroentereologist. He referred me next door to the otolaryngologist, which was lucky for me, because the reason I needed antibiotics was for a suspected sinus infection. I am not used to being able to walk into a specialist office, ask to see a doctor and be sitting in a chair within half an hour. 

It was a bit weird going to the doctor when I had only a minimal grasp of what was going on. He got me to sniff something odd (I guess it affects your mucous membranes?), shoved a camera thingo up my nose, said my sinus was chotto infected, prescribed me antibiotics, put my on a nebuliser thing for 5 mintues and then I left. Buying drugs was also a little different, and the pharmacist came out and sat with me and made sure I understood exactly what pills I should take when. All up it cost about 5000 yen for the doctor visit and the 4 medications he prescribed (overkill much? Antibiotics, antipyretics, pain medicine and something else I can't remember right now) - I think that's cheaper than an Australia trip to the ENT guy.

After all of my feeling crappy and sitting in sick people rooms for hours, I just came home and watched some TV. I finished off all of Freaks and Geeks. It ended up being a really late night, but totally worth it. Freaks and Geeks was a really fantastic show, and I am sad that it finished where it did. I also made some baby booties to go with the hat for my friends baby - while I am doing something with my hands and watching TV, at least I feel like I'm being a little bit productive!

Booties and hat ready to go.

Food Highlight of the Day: Cheap antibiotics.