Just got back from the doctor's office. The ease of NHS (National Healthcare System) left me feeling a bit out of place. I walked into the doctor's office and went to a computer screen on the wall to sign in for my appointment. I had to input my date of birth and then it found my appointment and signed me in. Ten minutes later, a screen in the waiting room announced which room I should go to. There is not the same amount of patient confidentiality here. I wasn't sure if I should knock or just go in or what! I went on in and met my doctor.
After the usual chat and examining my foot, he said he doesn't think it is a stress fracture. He's calling it a ligament sprain instead. That sounds good to me...shorter recovery time! It surprised me though that he asked me if I wanted an x-ray to be sure. I didn't know how to respond at first! I told him I felt comfortable not x-raying it, but I was thinking, "Why is the doctor asking me???? Isn't it the other way around???" Basically, he's told me to keep up the ibuprofen and ice as needed, take it easy on my foot, and wait at least two weeks to start gradually easing back into any running or aerobics. Unfortunately, this means I'm not running my 5K with my friend on Sunday :( The bright side is, a stress fracture would have been much worse!
As I put my shoe on, we chatted about my accent. He's been to Philadelphia twice before. "Lovely city. Very multicultural." That makes me giggle. Someone in London calling Philly multicultural? That's like a penguin going to Pennsylvania and saying (if penguins could speak), "Oh yes, you do have cold winters here!"
And once we said goodbye, I just walked right through the reception area and out the door. So odd. I felt like I was dashing out without paying the bill. In retrospect, I guess I was, except there is no bill. Weird.
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