I was able to get an appointment today for the World's Most Annoying cough at the world's Busiest Hospital.
About the cough...
While the doctor was examining me, she had me take deep breaths while she listened to my lungs. As I breathed in the first time, a violent cough attack got me. She just stood there nodding her head. The same thing happened the second and third time.
Doc: How long have you had this cough?
Me (lying): Just a few days
D: Why you not come see me 3 wks ago when cough started? (how did she know?)
M: It's just a cough...
D (yelling at me): WRONG, YOU HAVE A SEVERE CASE OF BRONCHITIS, AND I SHOULD ADMIT YOU BECAUSE YOU WAITED TOO LONG TO COME IN!!!
At this point I had a flashback and thought I was back in Basic Training.
M: Ok (what was I supposed to say??)
With that said, she prescribed antibiotics, some cough beads (small clear yellow balls), and some Cepacol (yes, Dept of Defense money is spent on cough drops).
As P and I were making our way to the pharmacy WAAAAYYYY at the other end of the hospital, we saw LOTS of folks on 'forced break' from their Government subsidized vacation to the Land of Sand. Just today alone, they got 4 busses of patients (about 85 patients) before I arrived for my appointment, and while I was there, there was an announced that they were expecting at least one more flight of patients tonight.
I will tell you, the staff at the World's Busiest Hospital is the BEST in the world!! Although a lot of them are working 12-14 hours 10-12 days straight, everyone seemed happy just to do their part. P and I talked to a few of the patients and they seemed happy just to see a little person with sooo much energy. One even gave P a ride in her wheelchair while we were waiting at the pharmacy.
To the staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center: Hats off to you, you are doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work, and keep your heads up!!!
Grayse