Tooth Extraction in PGH and Not Going to Pinatubo
Got a tooth extracted yesterday. Gawd, it hurt! Suffered inflammation for weeks I had to do something. Got this idea of experiencing public hospital. So Thursday afternoon, the dentist was out. Mike said let’s go to the Philippine General Hospital. How? Emergency. Do they have a dentist there? They have. I think it is the only emergency room which has a dentist. Wow. Okay, maybe, maybe. Okay let’s go. So, Thursday night we went to the emergency room of PGH. It reeked of a putrid smell. There was dried blood on the seat. We were tense. Asked to fill up something and had a blue card. Waited for the dentist who was making rounds. When they came, they checked my tooth, prescribed antibiotic and asked to be back tomorrow. At 6 AM. Shit, 6 AM. And bring the blue card. To OPD. What’s OPD? Orthodontics plus Dentistry? With the other cheek swelling, went home, popped a capsule, and waited for 6 AM. OPD is out-patient department. God, there was so many people. The blue card means you’re on charity. Oh okay. Lined up twice. Gaw, it was hot, crowded and dizzying. Misery seemed to pervade the air. Waited and waited for turn. 8 AM. 10 PM. 11 PM. Popped another capsule. 12 noon. Should I get lunch? Naaah I might get called and I am not around. Gawd, it was hot. Gawd, this looked like a crowded bus terminal except there were many sick people. 2:30 PM. Gawd, my turn. Wanna back out. Actually wanna back out since 9 AM. But I was there na, so okay, go through with it. Many cuties in dentistry department. There were about 12 cubicles inside each with dentist chair. Doctors are okay, nice. Got my tooth extracted. Doc explained things thoroughly, which was very okay. Gawd, it hurt. Bed rest, doc said. No activities. Gawd, I had a Pinatubo trek the following day. Went straight to work after that. Chuck off Pinatubo trip. Gum getting better. Felt the loss of a teeth. Dazed from it all. Root canal for life.
