Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Last Public Health Visit!!

Yesterday was my last public health visit!!!!

There were no balloons or streamers.  The receptionist did not light up and say "Congratulations on making it though!"  In fact, I had to remind her that this was my last visit and find out if I had to come back in.  Yes, I have to return to get my CERTIFICATE!!!  Who would have thought that I'd get a certificate out of this.

My actual meeting with my dear little nurse took about 6.25 minutes including her story about two Buddhist nuns who came to visit with her. She had my bottle of INH ready to go and already labeled...shocking.  Blood pressure: 105/79, check.  Weight, check.  Buddhist nun story, check.

"So this is my last visit," I said, trying to lead her into an exclamatory "You did it!  Let's go have a beer!"
"Yes!" was all I could pull out of her.  But she's so cute, and they way she modulated her voice was more like "Yaaaaaeeess!"
"Will I need to come back in after I finish my bottle?" I jutted out the blue-capped bottle in my hand.
"Oh...you'll need to come back in after you finish and I will need to make out your certificate." She nodded and smiled.
"What is the certificate for?  Just to say I finished all of my INH pills" and to myself I completed "for nine long months, like a good little girl."
"Yes and you'll need to sign something saying you won't take another test.  And if you have any problems in the future you can just come back to me."  Ick, I though...like if I visit a foreign country and contract TB?  What are my chances...?
"What happens with the test?  Will I contract TB if I take one?"  Terror beginning to rise...
"Oh, no.  But you will always be positive on it."

Hmmm.... The legacy of my TB is not behind me.  Every time I go to the doctor and encounter "the test" I will need to explain my nine-month gestation with latent TB.  Lovely.  But at least I'll have my certificate!

I'll have to look up more info.  I'm already setting up acupuncture appointments to help strengthen my liver, post INH.  More on that to come.

Congratulations to me!!!