Just a Minute...

The holidays usually hold at least one constant for me: I get sick.

My being sick during the holidays holds a few constants: it is inconvenient and it is difficult to be seen by my own primary care doctor.

My current malady comes with no surprises in these respects. I have had a pain on the right side of my throat since Monday. It's not even a sore throat kind of sore...it has hurt and seems to be deep down inside my ear. My doctor is on medical leave which means I'd have to see another doctor in the group. This is not necessarily a problem--the problem would be in how soon I could have gotten an appointment, whether or not it was convenient for me, and whether or not they would again offer me an appointment with the incompetent nurse practitioner on staff who I refuse to see.

Being seen, diagnosed, treated, and cured must all take place before 7:30am Tuesday morning when our plane takes off. So, in the interest of catering to myself and making my healthcare convenient for me by our Tuesday departure, I decided to go to the CVS Minute Clinic. It's close by and the hours are convenient (open late and open on weekends).

I had a great experience! I was seen by a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Based on my previous experiences with FNPs (I have been misdiagnosed and even had something very serious overlooked.), I typically am not excited about seeing another one. This FNP was wonderful: he listened, he was thorough, he asked lots of questions, he listened some more, and he was not in a hurry. This was, perhaps, the most thorough screening for an ear infection I've ever had: he looked in my ears with the otoscope...he then used the otoscope with the air bulb to see how my ear drums reacted to the air pressure...he did look at my throat--not red at all...gave me a little hearing test...asked me to rate my pain...describe my pain & the pressure I felt in my ear...listened patiently as I repeatedly and in different ways explained my pain. He was very sympathetic to my impending air travel plight. (Would we call that a "flight plight?" Ha. I'm funny.) He finally concluded that, yes, I probably have an ear infection and prescribed an antiobiotic.

I am already feeling a little better. I hope I am significantly better in the morning. My plans for starting to pack (organize, do laundry, clean the house, etc.) have been waylayed with things like resting and napping. You just gotta give in to your body sometimes and let it heal.

I'm glad I tried the Minute Clinic. The quality of care I received today was very good. I'm glad I have a good and convenient alternative when it is difficult to get into my own doctor or whomever may be covering for him. (Plus! They will send a report of the visit to my doctor.)