take three.

And we’re back at the hospital, but in Chiang Mai this time.

And most unfortunately, it was both of us.

While we were getting ready to head to the doctor this morning, Stephen managed to get a half inch splinter inserted under his nail, where you could still see it. Both of us got lightheaded just looking at it, and after a few attempts of getting it out ourselves realized it was far bigger than a home operation with tweezers.

When we arrived at the hospital, I went to the ENT section while Stephen waited to hear more about his finger. I told this doctor about my other two visits to ENTs and the resulting three rounds of antibiotics I’ve already taken; I told him about the pain medicine I was on but explained it was still significantly painful. And after looking in my ear, he seemed surprised that I was still standing. He took a sample from inside my ear for the lab, as well.

I’m now on two more antibiotics, an antibiotic ear drop, and Tylenol with codeine. The Tylenol is really helping currently, but has caused Stephen to create a new rule: that whenever drugs are involved, he wins the argument because “your memory may be better, but drugs overrule that.”

I also have another appointment for tomorrow morning to see how its improving.

I exited the room and was led to pay, at which point I realized I didn’t have any money without Stephen there. I tried to explain this to the nurse, but really probably just left with her confused.

And then I found Stephen in the emergency room, with a local anesthetic and a surgeon removing the splinter from his finger.

He recovered well, and though both of us have been lightheaded for nearly four hours now, we haven’t passed out yet.  He has some pain medication for the next few days, and I’ll be back for take four of Thai hospitals tomorrow.

Oh, and the funny part. This is the appointment slip I got for tomorrow.

I’m not sure what the remark section is for, but hopefully I wasn’t a problematic patient.