Sick and the City

Well it has certainly been an interesting week, and one in which I feel like I have had to do some serious growing up. Last friday, my throat started to feel very sore, by Monday I had a fever and a very bad sore throat, swollen glands, and serious nasal congestion. So, I went to the Pharmacy, tried to explain my symptoms in french ( a little tricky), the pharmacist loaded me up with some medicine and I went home hoping to recover in a day or two. Unfortunately, things did not get better. Luckily, by Wednesday after talking to my dad he suggsted it may be strep and that I should go see a doctor. Going to see a doctor in France was about the last thing I wanted to do. No offense to any doctors reading this (DT), I love doctors, the only ones I like going to are generally the ones I am related too, and that is only if I have to. Nonetheless, I called the American Hospital of Paris, trying to speak French through a sore throat was a bit of a task, but they could not see me 'til Friday. Luckily, my sweet host family came to the rescue, they called their doctor, and made an appointment for me that afternoon.
So I made it to Doctor LeBlonde's office, and interestingly enough it was in an apartment building. However, that is normal I was told. I make it inside, the nurses are dressed like they would have dressed in my opinion in 1945. Oh well, I thought, just get me some medicine. I finally met with Dr. LeBlonde an hour after my scheduled appointment (the french are always fashionably late). Anyways, we go into his office, and he goes behind a little room divider (i guess) and that is his examining room. Odd again, I thought, but go with it. So he examines me, and is saying things to me in French, some of which I am catching, some I am not. He notices that I am beginning to tear up based on my lack of understanding, and says things a bit slower and even a little bit in english, which was nice. So it turns out I have just what my dad diagnosed, strep. A red throat, swollen glands, both covered in white spots, those are the only details i will give. He prescribed me some medication, was very nice and sent me on my way. A side note though, french doctors only accept cash or checks! (luckily I had cash). After about a day on medication, i feel so much better! I am beginning to be bored out of my mind, but better. Some may laugh, but having to go to the doctor, take care of myself, buy my medicine and things like soup and tea, all in a foreign country, i now feel like i can take on anything. I am serious, this is the first time i have been really sick since I graduated high school and I have survived, and in France. So that is it for this week, hopefully I will be ready to come out of quarantine on Friday, and run around Paris this weekend.