Today I took a Saturday field trip to my (not-so) favorite place…Urgent Care.
As someone who would rather not have interactions with doctors, I tend to avoid places like Urgent Care as much as possible, especially when it has to do with my RSD/CRPS. I don’t like dealing with people who haven’t even heard of this disorder and are even more clueless about to help. However, this trip had nothing to do with my crazy chronic pain, so I was a little bit more willing to go.
I went to fill out the papers to be seen, and of course, everyone thought I was there for my leg. I guess the crutches and swollen-ness make people automatically assume that that’s the problem. I was quick to inform them that I was not there for my leg, and was instead there for something a little less complicated…my eye.
I know, I know…urgent care for an eye issue? Well, here’s the story: on Thursday I got home from a busy day of babysitting and felt some pain in my eye. I grabbed a mirror and took a look, quickly realizing that it was red and a bit puffy. Of course, after spending time with kids and seeing a red eye, I automatically thought it could be the dreaded pink eye. I decided to let it go and waited to see if it would improve. It didn’t, so that’s how I ended up sitting on an examination table, staring at painted giraffes and zebras on the wall and waiting to be seen.
The doctor was very kind and even knew what RSD is! What a concept! He did a really cool test where he numbed my eye, put a piece of paper on it to dye it orange, and then looked at it using a magnifying glass with a purple light to check for any scrapes. I’m sure there are fancy terms for all of this, but whatever. After a quick test my diagnosis was discovered…a corneal abrasion. Easy, simple, normal.
Maybe it’s weird, but I was elated when I found out that there was actually a physical reason for my problems, and that it was normal and easily treatable. When you’re used to being the “mystery patient” with crazy symptoms and diagnoses, it’s nice to have a break and just be average. Usually I leave doctors’ offices more confused than I was when I walked in, but not this time. I had a great experience and walked out with a prescription in hand.
In the end, I’m glad to know that it’s nothing crazy and not at all contagious. I have instructions to not wear contacts for a week and I have a couple bottles of eye drops to use, but hey, things could be so much worse. So here’s to being normal, at least for once in my life! 😉
College on Crutches 