My tryst with Dutch Hospital(ity)

Last week could have been The Most horrible week of my life.  

Monday :

I observed a swelling near my ear . Dissmissed it. Worrying makes ailment worse, says my father, just ignore it and it will go away.

Tuesday: 

The swelling has increased. I should'nt worry.

Wednessday:

I had sleepless night, the pain on the bulge near my ear was killing me. Now am really worried.

Thursday:

 I called my Doctor, told his secretary its an emergency, she told me to come in 24X 60X60 seconds. Gosh ! Why so urgent ? Let me propose a date in next century. 

Friday: 

I woke up with a swollen face , the swelling had spread and made me look like an ogre.

Cycled to north most corner of Delft to reach the clinic. There I had to first fill up a form with same info already available from my Resident's Permit. Welcome to Dutch Bureaucracy!

And then I had to wait. Each second of pain and suffering seemend eternity. 

After only 30x60 seconds (read pain) the doctor called my name. After 15X 60 second of deliberation he told me that he cannot treat me. Great!! If I live through this suffering I will admire your honesty, but what now? Go to Hospital Reiner De Graaf in the south of Delft.

 Yippie, another cycle trip.

Hospital Reiner De Graaf :

I reach Reiner De Graaf fifteen mintute ride away. Thankfully Prem and Nestor joined me in this trip.

We went to emergency section where I got yet another form to fill and a waiting room.

After a long wait (I did not mind this time since I had company to distract me from the pain) the doctor came and took me to his chamber. He was young and looked nervous . Then without warning he touched my swelling and I shrieked with pain. I could not tell who was more scared:  me or him. He said he cannot treat me. Yeah, tell me something new.

He ran out, and brought another doctor with him. This one looked experienced and examined my swelling confidently, ran his fingers gently on my ear without hurting me while explaining his colleague about his opinion on the treatment. I was getting to like this the doctor untill he spoke the golden words: I cannot treat you. Please go to the other building to see the Head Surgeon. Atleast he made me laugh inspite of the pain.

So, we embarked on our third journey to the other building five minutes walk away.

And waited till eternity in the waiting room. 

Finally, the head surgeon met me and I was diagnosed of the most disgusting disease on this planet. No, it was'nt Leprosy. 

The surgeon made incission in the swelling , and whatever came oozing out of it, turned the surinami nurse green but relieved me of my pain. Doctor patched my wound and dismissed me immediately, recommending rest and no stress. Well, the only thing that was stressing me out was shuffling between docters in the hospital. 

Nestor was quite dissapointed, he was expecting a more dramatic operation scenario. He also preffered that I be admitted in the hospital wards so he could visit me and the surinami nurse more often.

I still don't know the name of this disease. I think they are gonna name it after me.

Friday (contd..)

The day is not over yet. I slept throught out the afternoon, woke up in evening....

Door bell: Nestor and Max came to visit. They brought fruits and chocolates. Nestor still looked dissapointed.  Max was cool, my swolen face did not scare him.

Door bell : Its Shiva, of all days he decides to to visit us when am bloated like boiled potato. 

Door bell: Oh no! Its Rajeev, he looks at me, first with disbelief and then with hearty laughter. I am furious but then I CDNY.

Door bell: Joe and Raghu, Thats just great ! Why don't I put my face on the national newspapre. But first I have to give Joe and Raghu scoop of my story. 

Door bell: Christian and Sandeep , the story is gonna reach the masses before its reaches the Newspaper.

Lest the bell rings again I hit the bed.