Mr. & Mrs. Vandebilt + kids

I’ve unfortunately now been sick in Korea for almost an entire month. Nothing serious, just a cold that I can’t seem to kick. A couple of weeks ago now, I thought the cold was on it’s way out but they my ears became plugged. When they didn’t clear within a couple of days and I was tired of being deaf in one ear I paid a visit to a doctor.

I had up until this point avoided the doctor, for a couple of reasons. First of all, it was just a cold. I’ve always been taught to just ride a cold out. If it doesn’t go away in a couple of weeks then get it checked out, but not to panic. Secondly, I’m in Korea. Getting milk is difficult enough, the thought of having to go see a doctor and try and explain what was wrong was more than I was willing to do. But eventually I gave in and went to see Dr. Kang.

Thankfully, Dr. Kang speaks pretty decent English, unfortunately though she seems more interested in brushing up on her conversational skills than actually healing me. The first time I went in she told me my ear was indeed sick and gave me prescription for 2 days worth of antibiotics and told me to come back the next day. When I went back the next day she confirmed that my ear was surprisingly still sick and she gave me 2 more days of antibiotics. Now, I’m no doctor, but I’m not entirely shocked that 3 doses of medicine didn’t clear this ear infection up, but hey, she’s the MD.

When I still wasn’t better the following week after the 4 days worth of pills I went back. This time though she told me to go into another room and lay down. Then they came in, asked if I had any allergies to medication and hooked me up to an IV. I’m still not sure what was in this IV, but I sat there for almost 3 hours being pumped with some mystery yellow liquid. When I eventually convinced them that I had to leave to go to work they told me to come back again the next day for some more drugs. I spent the following morning hooked up to an IV – which has appeared not to have done anything other than give me a few holes in my hands and make me really irritable.

I’ve since been to see the specialist at the hospital twice, both times all he said was that my ear was sick. I’ve finished the antibiotics he gave me but he seems to feel that that should have been enough and hasn’t prescribed anymore. He told me not to worry though, my left ear is still fine and it usually clears up for people within 6 months. And if not, they can always do surgery. I’ve just resigned my self to partial deafness.