Next in Line? I had a bad toenail. |
I went to the doctor as my toenail ached. There was a strange curve in the nail, so I needed a pedicure and wanted a referral. In the waiting room, there were lots of folks waiting, with all kinds of ailments. From a headache, a nosebleed, to kidney failure and diabetes. As I was on holiday in this foreign country, I was unsure about the exact procedure to get help. I googled Next in line in Slovenian, and when the nurse shouted "Naslednji na vrsti?" I put on my hand and was summoned inside the office. Luckily for me, the physician was able to understand a little bit of English, so with hands and feet, we managed to have a conversation. I got myself a paper for another doctor and left with a smile. That went easily. The next day I had an appointment in the nearest hospital, and at 11 am. I sat in front of yet another doctor's office waiting to be called in. "Naslednji na vrsti?" I stood up, walked in, and introduced myself with the referral of yesterday's doctor. I googled our conversation. Can you help me with my toe? I have pain. I think the toe needs trimming, the nail needs to be cut off. He looked at my foot, nodded, he understood, and put a red cross on my left leg. Then he helped me into the special chair, strapped me to it, and gave me a shot that would put me in a coma. An hour later, I woke up with a white sheet on top of my legs. I couldn't feel much; the anesthetic was still working. Is there somebody to help you go back to the hotel? I didn't understand what he was talking about. Then he pulled away the sheet, and to my horror, my left leg was gone; only a stump remained, cut off just below the knee. I looked at the doctor in disbelief. He's out of his mind. I'll never go back again. WC: 336 |