Monday, November 06, 2006♥
Thumbs Up!
Nice thumb huh?
I have some trouble typing. Not used to having such a fat thumb. Anyway, let me share my story and some LESSONS learnt from it.
My left thumb was abit swollen cos my itchy hands went to pluck the nail cuticle out. Yah, I know, not the right thing to do. Should cut it or something but like I said, itchy hands. So it all started from there.
LESSON 1: NEVER EVER PULL OUT YOUR NAIL CUTICLE
So after pulling it out, it was abit painful, quite normal right? So I went to whine to the boyfriend and tell him that its painful and all that. So the boyfriend, went to lick it claiming that old people say enzymes can cure the pain. (just for the fun of it)
A few days later, it started to swell. It was purplish and the left thumb was obviously fatter than the right. I blamed the boyfriend's saliva.
LESSON 2: DON'T LET YOUR BOYFRIEND LICK ANY SUPECTED WOUND
I thought it might go away. But it didn't. Yesterday we saw pus in it. So it got me quite worried. His mum says that pus means there's inflammation and suggested that I go to the doctor.
So I did. Cos I was lazy to go to school, I checked out the panel of clinics under the SMU website which I could go for
free. Saw this Lifeline Bukit Panjang at Gangsa Road. Ah-ha! Walking distance. Cool.
So I went this morning. Gave the auntie at the counter my IC and SMU Matric Card. Grabbed a magazine and sat down.
The auntie looked at the matric card like some foreign object asked me if I knew what scheme I was covered under. I said I dunno. She asked me to check. I thought alright I shall try. So I called the lau sai man boyfriend (who was on MC as well), woke him up and asked him if he could go to the SMU website to check what scheme or find any number which I can call to ask. The very sweet boyfriend told me that he will call me back after he on his com and stuff.
So I waited. And before the lau sai man could call me, the auntie told me she found out. I am covered under Aviva. But I need to have the Aviva card. I was like"wth, what Aviva card?!" So I told her that I was told that I only need to show my SMU card and I don't have any Aviva card or what sort of nonsense. She insisted that I need to have my Aviva card or I will have to pay cash. I was quite pissed already. The clinic was quite crowded and I could sense eyes at me. So I said fine, I will pay in cash (and thinking that I will go claim or something). Then I opened my wallet and saw 5 red notes. So I thought I shouldbe quite safe.
LESSON 3: FIND OUT WHAT SCHEME YOU ARE COVERED UNDER BEFORE YOU GO!
So I went in to see the doctor, showed him my thumb and he said "hmm.. infection. I will clean it up for you"
So he went to pour some liquid, take some cotton, and a little "combination of small knife and needle thing". Put the liquid on my finger. Asked me to relax and he gently sliced the part with pus. To my surprise, it wasn't painful. Then he started squeezing out the pus. Gosh, that was quite a bit of pus. Just like pimples, blood followed after pus. Then he squeezed the blood out. Ouch! That was painful man. Then he cleaned it with the liquid again. He grabbed a small bottle and squirt some powder out from that bottle. Then wrapped it up into that picture above. Asked me not to wet it and go back to see him again tomorrow (luckily I chose the nearest clinic!)
[and no thank you, mou. I don't need signature on my thumb]
They gave me anitibiotics and painkillers. And the bill came up to $85. My jaws dropped. Freaking 85 bucks. This kind of poke pus, squeeze blood, I also know how to do it myself leh.
But the point is I didn't have enough money. So I told the lady (not that rude idiotic auntie this time round) I didn't have enough cash. And for goodness sake, what era is it now. Can you at least accept NETS? She told me to pay whatever I can first and pay the balance tomorrow when I go back before she gives me my MC and receipt.
Damn it, I don't need my MC but I need my receipt to claim that freaking 85 bucks!
I was super pissed and called the lau sai boyfriend again and started complaining and crying to him. Damn stupid lah. People see me holding clinic plastic bag and crying on the phone. Must have thought that I kena some terminal illness or what. Hhahaa. But I was really damn angry and upset. The pain, the money, the rude auntie and all. ARGH.
The moment I got home, I checked out the number to call the person in charge. Thankfully everything has been settled. I should be able to get back my 50 bucks tomorrow. And the lady was very nice and told me to call her on her mobile if there's anything tomorrow.
LESSON 4: TAKE DOWN THE NUMBER ON THE WEBSITE. THE HELPLINE FOR RUDE AND UNHELPFUL AUNTIE
Anyway, I just kidding when I said I blamed him cos his saliva caused it lah. My lau sai man is quite poor thing also. Have been on the runs to the toilet. *pat head*
To sum it all up,
- Never pull out your cuticles ok?
- SMU students, we are covered under a different scheme from the staff. (but I forgot what was it again) Its listed on the website AXA but the person gave me a specific name.
- But whatever it is, take down the mobile number and save it as your helpline and call her anytime you need it.
Now that I'm not so angry, I'm feeling hungry. Time for some food and antibiotics. Yucks.
What an "eventful" Monday morning. I should have gone for TWC class and visit the NTUC medicare in school. Grrrr.
