My first visit to a Thai hospital

During the first week of Payap orientation they took us to McCormick Hospital to show us what to do if we got sick and needed to see a doctor. At the time I didn't think I'd ever end up in the hospital. For the most part I'm a fairly healthy person. Guess not.

I woke up around 3 AM this morning and proceeded to throw up every thing in my stomach. I couldn't hold anything down. So after around six hours of the worst stomach pain ever accompanied by throwing up everything I decided to pay the school nurse a visit.

Without even having me sit down she quizzed me about my symptoms and in no time at all I was on my way to McCormick Hospital. After about ten minutes of waiting I was called up to the front of the waiting room where they weighed me, took my blood pressure and temperature. This was in front of the entire waiting room which I found rather interesting. I was asked if I could speak Thai and I replied "nid noi" which means "a little". The nurse smiled at me thinking that was the greatest thing.

After that I was sent over the the waiting area to see a doctor. Another ten minutes and I was shuffled into a little room with a doctor with a surgical mask covering his face. Without really looking at me he asked me what my problem was. I told him really bad stomach pain and had been throwing up non-stop all morning. Out of no where he reaches over and begins to push really hard (almost punching) my stomach asking "DOES THIS HURT. DOES THAT HURT!" Of course it hurts you idiot that's why I am here.

After a few more questions he mumbles something about spicy food and a stomach ulcer and sends me off the waiting area for the Pharmacy. Another ten minutes and I was called up to receive my prescription. Once again I was asked if I could speak Thai and again I said "nid noi". Another smile and laugh and I was sent down to window "siib gawh" (19) to get my medicine. I received my pills: one for abdominal pain, another for anti acid and the final for nausea and vomiting.

I now needed to find a phone to call Payap's sung tow driver, Pi Jew. I had a nice conversation with a guy originally from Texas who had been in Chiang Mai for three years. He was nice enough to lend me his phone to get a ride back to my dorm.

The good news is that I'm feeling slightly better. The bad news is that I wasn't well enough to go to the Doi Laan village home stay today with the rest of my group. Oh Thailand, please take a break on my poor little stomach.