In my previous articles I've shared you a glimpse of my health status. I stayed that it wasn't serious but it's surely pricy even if most of my medical expenses such as doctor's visit, ultrasound and x-ray are covered by the HMO of my current company. I still need to buy my medicine and now I had a new appointment with a new doctor.
Back in December I had a Medical exam to see if I am fit to the job and it didn't turn out ok. Back in 2014, I had a tuberculosis. I wouldn't have known about if I didn't enroll to a university. It's a prerequisite before being accepted to that school. I had medication for 6 months which was provided by the government in local health centers and I was healed but the scar is still there.
The scar from 2014 was seen in my chest x-ray last December 2020. The HR of my current company reached out to me and asked for a fit to work approved by a pulmonologist but it doesn't end there. I was requested for another x-ray which was just to confirm if I'm really healed or not. I had another x-ray only this time, it's my back and I was cleared so I was able to work.
Another thing that was seen in my medical exam was a ball formed earwax on my left ear. It wasn't painful but it was itchy and it became uncomfortable at some point for me since I use headphones for my job. So I had my first visit to the doctor this year. I'll just call him doctor T who is an ENT specialist.
February 13, 2021 Saturday
Doctor T suctioned my earwax and I asked him about my ticking jaw as well. He gave me a request for 4 view x-ray close and open mouth. He also prescribed a medicine for the temporary solution of my jaw. After a week I came back to him for a follow up check.
February 20, 2021 Saturday
I came back to the hospital so he'll read the x-ray results and help me out with my problem with my right jaw. Just a little recap, last year I yawned and it clicked with a loud sound which I thought I can never close my mouth again. Thankfully I was able to do it on my own. The medicine which doctor T prescribed to me was really effective. My right jaw doesn't hurt at all and I feel a lot better. I asked Dr. T the possible cause of it and he said that it might be inborn. Then he referred to a new specialist who is a TMJ dentist. The medicine was actually pricy.
February 20, 2021 Saturday
I had another appointment that day with a new doctor whom I'll call Dr. H. She was a gastroenterologist. I had to go to her since my hyperacidity is making me feel nauseaus and oftentimes I vomit. She pressed on my stomach and asked for an ultrasound. Whenever she pressed my stomach it hurts. It really does and I always felt like I'm gonna vomit.
She gave me a new set of medication to take which was pricy as well. I had to change my lifestyle as well. There's food which I can't take so I'll heal faster and better. Then I came back after two weeks for my follow up check and for the reading of my ultrasound results.
February 21, 2021 Sunday
I had to go to the hospital that day for the ultrasound. I was on fasting since last night so I my stomach was hurting and I was feeling light-headed. I can't take any food and I can only drink water. I had to make sure that my bladder was filled with my urine for the findings. When I told the nurse that I was about to pee the first attendant checked my upper abdomen. He was a male so there was a different attendant for the pelvic area. When it was about my lower abdomen, it turns out that my bladder is still not full of urine so I had to drink more water even if I was feeling bloated and I feel light-headed. So I had to buy water and make sure that I really feel like peeing before entering the ultrasound area again. After it I went to the church for the Sunday service.
March 1, 2021 Monday
I came back to the hospital to get my ultrasound results and I was hoping to meet with a dentist only to find out that the dential offices was still not functional due to COVID-19. So I had to look for another dental clinic which is affiliated by my HMO. I went to a mall where the dental clinic is but it was too pricy, my brother and I are tired of walking and it was lunch time both of us are too hungry so we went home after.
March 6, 2021 Saturday
I went to the hospital for a follow up with Dr. H. Thankfully my ultrasound results are normal and I just needed to do what she says so I'll get better. I can't be too stressed out as it triggers my hyperacidity. She was very kind and accommodating so the next time around I'll see her is when I'm not getting any better.
March 6, 2021 Saturday
Today I had my first appointment with my TMJ specialist dentist. I'll just address her as doctor Y. I went there for consultation and cleaning. My jaw was not aligned anymore. I had the test bite for now and splint next week. The tooth cleaning was too painful. My gums were bleeding. I needed to wear deprogrammer for a week then have my splint the next week. The procedure and everything else were too pricy. I have to save money for it. It's a good thing that I am employed because if I'm not then I don't know where I'll get the money to shoulder my medical expenses.
Lessons Learned
Self-care is an important factor towards keeping myself in piece. To be honest, I felt like the money I used for my dental and medicine needs are way too expensive. I don't want to spend that much amount of money for myself. Imagine spending 70,000 pesos just for my money jaw to be realigned. It was too much but it's what I need in order to function well. I have been going back and forth to the hospital so I'll get better. I can't even enjoy my day offs but I'll forever be grateful that I am fine and there's nothing serious going on with me except for my jaw.
There's only one life to live so keeping myself healthy is a must. Money is nothing compared to the only life I have. I felt like I was just working to provide my medical needs up until my sister-in-law told me that it was actually an investment. I am investing in my health. Besides mainly it's my fault for not taking care of myself enough.
I need to do things by myself. I hate going to hospitals by myself. I hate it when I have to talk to the doctor alone, travel alone and buy my medicines alone. It was way too scary. But now I learned that I can't always have someone with me. I needed to be independent and learn how to do things on my own.
I must not stress myself out especially on the things which I have no control of. I must learn to accept that not everything will go my way. I need to relax and take time in coping with what's happening around me. It's not as if my constant worries will do me any good. It'll just add more acid to my stomach.
March 6, 2021
Saturday
