Two weeks ago today, I broke my ankle. I followed the Doc's directions for the most part, but also listened to the intuition of my body, and frequented my TCM doc for acupuncture and other treatment. I wasn't supposed to walk on it, but I knew better. At home, I walked slowly and gingerly from room to room, sat a lot and kept it elevated, used ice and arnica, and also made poultices/compresses using bone knit (comfrey), which has been used in many cultures--from China to Europe to the Middle East-- for hundreds or a thousand years to heal broken bones, sprains, and skin conditions. I also pressed common acupressure points for ankle injuries and pain. I can tell it is healing. Luckily, I've been able to do some yoga since I can't hike or do much else except hobble about on crutches, which is exhausting! One-legged yoga! My left leg and hip and lumbar are super-tired because that side is doing all the weight-bearing. I need a massage! But acupuncture to the rescue, too! I am beyond grateful that the bone remained articulated (connected), so I did not need surgery! I'm still on crutches (at work and outside my home) for a few more weeks, but what was supposed to be a 6-8 week healing process will only be 4, thanks to acupuncture, bone knit compresses, my healthy body, and resilience. In fact, I am so grateful: - to be here in South Korea, where I have inexpensive health care* - that I had the opportunity to heal mentally, physically, and emotionally after all that went on in China and then during the pandemic, to be in a place now where this injury was a minor inconvenience, rather than a traumatizing, life-paralyzing event (emotional resilience! healthy body!) - to teach at a school where both the team and leadership are supportive and caring, telling me: take time off if you need longer to heal, leave early if you need to go to acupuncture, let us know how we can help you so you can stay seated in class... and more! - a healthy body - emotional resilience - living in Jeju - friends here who have been helpful and supportive - this amazing school with a great team, excellent leadership, and great kids! *my National Health care expired when my contract started, and I have insurance through work, where costs are reimbursed. Yesterday, the follow-up visit to the orthopedist for x-rays, a new brace, and consult cost $70 usd, because I was "uninsured". In other words, it would have cost about $10 usd with insurance. (The $70 will be reimbursed by my work policy). ...Yeah, socialized medicine is soooooo awful 'Merikuh... aka Ameridumb! Before (Oct. 29) and After (Nov 11)"We used to say that the United States shared with South Africa the distinction of being the only industrialized nation without universal health insurance. Now we don't even have South Africa to point to." (I'm better, by the way) Thank all the goddesses for the Korean Healthcare system! As an "unemployed" non-citizen of South Korea (but on a legal transitional visa), I pay about $77 USD/month (109,00won) for health insurance, which is REQUIRED (unless you are a visiting tourist). This insures that everyone is insured! (heehee) A friend got me an at-home RAT (rapid antigen test) that stated "negative". I went to my Doc yesterday after still feeling a lot of awful flu-like symptoms, though the fever had diminished. The current Korean Government protocols won't allow for a PCR test unless the RAT is positive, (which I find disturbing since RATs aren't 100% accurate according to several national health websites (verified) I visited), so no clinics would give me a PCR test. My Doc doesn't really know the cause, so I received a diagnosis of "gastroenteritis"; there was obviously some kind of infection or fight by my immune system against something nasty, since I had a 102 fever overnight Saturday and multiple other symptoms (no respiratory symptoms thank all the goddesses!). I recall lying in bed, unable to sleep due to pain and discomfort, fever and chills, and visualizing the mobilization of my Immune Cells surrounding and attacking whatever it was. It helped! After my Doc surmised some form of unknown gastroenteritis and gave me 2 days worth of antibiotics and other pills to reduce pain and the gastro issues, he set me up with an IV drip. I hadn't been able to drink even water for most of Sunday, so the IV fluid served to rehydrate me. Well, within 3 hours of receiving IV fluids and taking the prescription meds, my stomach pain was gone, all over body pain gone, the gastrointestinal distress ended, and I felt better! I even had a bit of porridge for dinner and wasn't sick after! As of today (Wednesday morning). I still feel better, though a bit run down. I'm giving myself another day of self-care and convalescence, and I don't feel guilty about it at all! For 2 hours at the Doc's office (they have a mini-hospital set up on site, treatment, xray, etc.), including a heated bed where I was able to rest quietly while the IV dripped, I paid the equivalent of $16 USD. The meds were $2.40 USD, including an extra box of aspirin I requested, and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. The meds included 4 different pills taken thrice daily over two days, two days worth of liquid medicine. Pills are divided into dosage envelopes and numbered for ease. So each of the four different pills were in little plastic pouches, numbering 1 through 6, for the three doses daily, taken over two days. Oh, and walking in without an appointment? I waited about 20 minutes in a full waiting room of more than 8 people. There were two people working reception, and 2-3 nurses assisting. I love Korea! sept 14 2022 olle 4pre-typhoon, cutting grass w scissors, guys pushing strollers with dogs inside, senior centres |
제주의 지나Back to Korea! Yay! Archives
March 2023
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