This is going to be long, rambling, soapboxish, full of "America rocks" tones and pee talk. You've been warned.
On with my rant. Monday afternoon I began to suspect I was developing a bladder infection. I've only had two in my life and because I didn't know how they felt the first time I let it get to the point of literally bringing me to my knees. This time I was on the ball and KNEW I had to get to a doctor as soon as possible because these things progress from twinge to torture quickly. Grab the phone book, pick up the phone....oh, wait....it's 12:30....the doctor's offices are closed for lunch. Damn you bladder infection don't you know you can only strike between 8:30-12:00 and 2:30-6:00. Tick, tock, tick, tock, 2:30:01. Call the urologist's office (I figured a GP's office would be more crowded and a urologist would be an "expert"), who asks me to come in TOMORROW. Are you kidding? You are a urologist's office, right? I'm sure you've been told these things are painful. I've given birth without drugs three times, and I can assure you the bladder infection I let go too long was WAY more painful. Turns out the doctor in the office that day didn't speak a lot of English (no biggie, not her job), and they thought I should wait for her partner who'd be in tomorrow. All I wanted was a urinalysis and a prescription for an antibiotic and pain. This is what I got from the Emergi-clinic (a literally "foreign" concept here) in the U.S. Rockin' A. So they let me come in.
After 60 uncomfortable minutes in the waiting room trying to entertain Dominic and not think about the next time I had to pee, I finally saw the doctor. Her receptionist translated for me, although I have to give myself props, I understood most of what she said. I think it's my medical background, but I was still grateful for the receptionist because when it comes to peeing razor blades you don't want anything lost in translation. She confirmed I had a bladder infection, told me I needed antibiotics, s-t-a-r-t-e-d to write out that golden prescription and then hit me with the question that turned my relief into panic, "Are you breastfeeding?" Now I couldn't lie and say I wasn't because of course I wanted the safest antibiotic for Dominic (which I know there are, ask Dr. Sears), so I thought that was what she was after. Nein. The golden prescription disappeared. I thought, "here comes the homeopathic BS." Nein. After wasting 90 minutes, 180 Euro($250), her years in medical school, I got this advice.....wait for it.....wait for it.....water, drink lots of water. She told me there were no safe antibiotics while breastfeeding and I just needed to try to flush out an INFECTION (usually treated with antibiotics). I asked her over and over, in every way I could think of, "are you sure water can cure this?" "Yes, yes, but if it doesn't, come back in a day or two." Why? So you can then give me the antibiotic that isn't safe for my baby? Or maybe a prescription for, I don't know, gummi bears? So then I asked about the medicine I had gotten for the pain the first time. Blank stare. You know, it turns your pee orange? Blank stare. I remember the doctor last time said something about this medicine numbing your bladder. Blank stare. You are a real urologist, right? Blank stare.
So I gave up. Sort of. I suddenly remembered that over Christmas Kenny had bought antibiotics in Italy where they sell some types over the counter. I'm normally completely against this because when I was working I saw first hand what overuse of antibiotics can do and how scary some of the new "superbugs" are. I rarely use antibiotics for me or my boys, but I DO know when they are necessary and this was one of those times. I quickly googled Amoxicillin and breastfeeding (safe) and Amoxicillin and bladder infections (not the best choice, but might work). Well, it may not be the best choice, but it sure as hell was more proactive than water.
It worked and I have one more reason to feel blessed to be a U. S. Rockin' A. citizen with the best medical personnel on earth. Our system may not be the best, but it beats socialized medicine by a mile and the problems are not due to the medical personnel, facilities, or schools. Look to the lawyers and insurance companies if you want to play the blame game.
So now I'm off to take my prescription of water washed down with a big, beautiful antibiotic.
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