I’d finally had enough! After several days of coughing, being unable to breathe properly, and slowly becoming immobile and constantly tired, I gave in to Jane’s suggestions.
It was Friday morning, and although the sun was with us again for the day, I agreed with Jane that it was time for me to visit a doctor on the island and get some antibiotics sorted out. My infection was not getting better, even though there were a few times I thought it was. It was nine-thirty, and we set off to the local emergency clinic, a little over a mile away. The receptionist took photocopies of my passport and my health card before issuing me with a basics form to fill in. That took no more than 7 or 8 minutes in total.
A male nurse came to see me within minutes to establish if I needed to see a doctor. He agreed, and I was told to wait in the waiting room. Within a minute, the doctor called me into his room. He checked my chest and, within seconds, said that I did not have a chest infection. He said I had a mucus build-up, possibly from an infection. He wrote a prescription that included the antibiotics I so badly wanted and a few other items to ease the recovery.
We left the medical centre ten minutes after we arrived. We’d seen a doctor without an appointment, got a prescription, and were put at ease that there was nothing more serious to worry about. A short trip in the car down to the car park and a very short walk to the pharmacy. The treatments were issued within minutes and we left the chemist, proudly carrying a little paper carry bag with handles and filled with my treatments. £28 paid! What a complete contrast to the shockingly poor treatment I could have expected from the British NHS system. Don’t get me started!
We treated ourselves to the first full British breakfast of the holidays at the nearby Popeyes restaurant. Black pudding, sausages, bacon, eggs, beans, toast, and tomatoes! Come on, I’d earned them for being a brave boy.
Today, after the best night’s sleep for well over a week, I’m back to normal, almost. We’ve got a few more days until we return home, so let’s enjoy them. That’s what I say!