I never get sick. Never. But I got sent home from work on Tuesday after a physical revealed that I had high blood pressure. Since that day, I'd been lazing around the house, playing video games, and eating nothing but fruits and vegetables. I'm still getting paid, but I can't return to work unless I'm cleared by a physician.
So I made an appointment. It was yesterday morning at 8:45am.
My little sister is in college. She pretty much missed this week of school because she was sick. She thinks that she has the swine flu. My Other sister gave birth to my first neice on Tuesday (and since my job sent me home, I was able to go!) and my "Swine Flu Sister" wasn't even allowed in the hospital. So I told her "I got a doctor's appointment on Friday. You make an appointment, too. We'll go together."
So we did.
When I got there, the lady asked me if I had insurance. I told her I did. "I'm just here for my blood pressure. If it's below a certain point, I can go back to work. I just need a doctor to fill out some paperwork, and clear me."
"Okay. Just have a seat, Mr. Lewis", the receptionist said.
My sister is behind me. We have different last names. She explains that she doesn't have insurance, but that she'll write a check for whatever treatment she recieves. The receptionist tells her to have a seat. The doctor will see her in a minute.
When I'm seen, the nurse checks my blood pressure. It's acceptable. Well below what I need to be able to return to work. She then makes me go in the back and wait for the doctor. After the doctor sees me, he orders an EKG, a blood test, and a urine test. The EKG lasts long enough for the nurse to attach the nodes, and take them off. They draw my blood. Then I go to another area and give a urine sample. Not even 5 minutes pass before they tell me that everything is fine. Now, my daughter has had medical problems in the past. She's had EKG's, EEG's, Urinalysis, MRI's, etc. NEVER have we ever gotten results so fast!
So, the doctor tells me everything looks good, but he won't release me to go back to work until I follow up with him again, on Monday. I think he just wants to charge my insurance company for more treatment. As for my little sister who got sent home from college by the school physician who thought she may have H1N1:
"They gave me a prescription and sent me back out here. The whole visit lasted 5 minutes", she said.
Am I paranoid?
