So I’ve just returned from my first official visit to a doctor to have something checked out.
Last term I had an injection at the school clinic, but that doesn’t count. The scary part about that is that I’m not entirely sure what that injection was for!

However, I have apparently been bitten by some horrible sort of bug. Then, the matter was complicated by the fact that the bite got infected. Lots of fun, I assure you.

I was extremely hesitant about going to see a doctor. I don’t know how many of you are in China now or have been to China before, but I must tell you something that I have observed- they give every patient an IV, seemingly regardless of what they’re there for.
Well, those of you who know me are probably aware that I have a ridiculous fear of needles, basically a phobia. Therfore, the mere thought of a needle stuck anywhere in me, makes me tear up and shake a bit. I had already decided that I wasn’t going to a doctor unless I thought I might die.
It didn’t seem to be a near-death moment, but I’m going to Vietnam on Sunday, and the last thing I want is to get sick from a bite when I’m not anywhere near home.
I decided to just tough it out and see what happened. One of my wonderful coteachers helped me go to the clinic and show the doctor/nurse (not really sure what he is) my lovely bite.

He shook his head when he looked at it, then told me that it was infected and I should have come in as soon as I got the bite. Then he cleaned it out (which, I must say, was not the most fun) and gave me a couple of creams to apply for the next week until it gets better.
He either didn’t know what bug it was, or it couldn’t be translated, but it was made clear to me that I should be careful because there are many dangerous insects around this area. Fantastic.

I’m just glad that it’s taken care of now.

This afternoon, I’m heading out to Longzhou to spend a couple of days with Kyle. It sounds like the weather down there is fairly warm. It’s raining here right now, so the weather is just perfect. We’ve had a lovely mixture of rain and sunny days recently. I love a good rainstorm, and it keeps it from getting too unbearably hot here.