Still No Voice!

Haaaay! This is very frustrating. I was happy when I went back to work last friday (July 3,8008). I thought it would be a star of something new. I was focused on not repeating the things that i did wrong the past year. But then came Monday and then Tuesday. I was smoking outside the office. That was my morning ritual before going to work. I saw Meg, she ordered take out at McDonald's. We were trying to catch up on the juiciest gossip and some other stuff when I felt that there's no voice coming out of my mouth, again!

I spoke to my team leader. I told her that somethings wrong with my voice. She told me not to speak for the mean time. Right after logging in, we had our 30 minute meeting. We spoke about product stuff and thing we shouldn't forget while taking in calls.

After the meeting, it's time to take calls. I was really nervous because I can't speak clearly. I just thought that I have to cleas my throat and everything's gonne be fine. The call came and man! It was really terrible. I was hoarse and the person that i'm speaking with noticed it. I was really embarrassed.

He just told me to take care of myself and he's going to pray for me. thanks a lot sir!

While I was on my aftercall work mode, I approached my tl and told her that the customer couldn't understand what I was saying and I am having a hard time speaking. I knew that things that I'm supposed to say but I can't say it.

What I did is I asked her if i could go to the nurse's station and have my throat checked. While I was there i told the nurse what happened. I told her I had a fever and I was able to have it checked with a physician. He asked me to take some meds but i wasn't able to take the anti-biotic he prescribed because it was too expensive.

In our country, we don't have prescription benefits unlike in the states. The only things that are covered on our hmo is the medical stuff. Like professional fees, payment for diagnosis, tests and other medical stuff. But not the meds.

The nurse then asked me to go home and have a voice rest. Good thing my team leader was very mabait that she gave permission for me to go on leave for the day. Of course wih pay.

The search for the hospital and doctor started. I first went to USt hospital in Espana Manila. My experience there was ver horrible. I hope many people will be able to read this. After what happened to me, I felt i wanted to send an email to the president or officer in charge of the company.

I asked the security guard where do patients supposed to go. Since it was my first time to go there, I have to ask. He said why ami I going there. Didn't I just tell him that I'm a patient! He even asked me to lead an identification card before he'd let me in. I left my SSS I.D.. I went in and proceeded directly to the information desk. I asked the receptionist where do medicard holders go, she told me the room but she said it's by appointment only. She didn't even asked me why I'm going there without an appointment and if it was urgent or something. She just locked me out and didn't even give any other options. So i left.

The next hospital that I go to was Cardinal Santos Medical Center. There's no docotor available until 10am the next day. Huuhuhuhu!

As a last resort, I went to the Medical City. Luckily there's a hot doctor available until 5pm. I was able to have it checked with an Ear Nose throat doctor. He check my throat through endoscopy and he found out that i have acute laryngitis and my vocal chord is swollen. He suggested for me not to smoke, eat too much and avoid caffeinated drinks. Too bad! He prescribed expensive medicines and there's nothing that I can do about it.

It's really true that the only time that you're doing thing right and that are healthy when you're already sick. Now i drink lots of H2O, eat on time, drink my medicines , eat right and smoke for some time ( I can't kick out of the habit i'm sorry). Is there a nicotine patch available here in the Philippines?

Hopefully after aweek, my voice will come back and I think since my birthday I coming up ( 5 days) I can't drink alcohol and party and smoke and puke and get drunk as planned! Bummer!