The $50 Rip Off

I left school at 9:30 this morning because I wasn't getting any better. Last night I got a glimpse of what it felt like to have real asthma: I was lying in bed, endeavouring to breathe. It felt like I had my nose plugged and my mouth closed around a straw...and I was trying to breathe through said straw. Brutal. That was enough for me. Though, and this is strange, I felt responsible enough to actually go to school first to let them know I was headed to the doctor. I'm not sure if that was it...maybe I just don't trust Black Dress to accurately tell the administration where I was. Who knows. Point is, I was sick and I had to do something about it.

I went back to the same clinic and this time only had to pay $2.50 to see him. Nice-uh, as the Koreans would say. This time, the doctor had worse news.

"Your lungs are now filled, all lungs, with fluid. I prescribe bronchodilator and antibiotics." Yeah, should have maybe done that a week ago, JACK. Argh. And this...all from the Yellow Dust. Isn't that remarkable? More like disgusting if you ask me.

Anyway, I'm fine. Fluid filled lungs aside, I feel fine. Seriously, Mother Hen. I thought this was funny enough to share though. First, Ventolin here in Korea costs $2.50. At home it costs about $50. It's the same drug company too...this isn't some Asian knockoff. Makes you wonder just how remarkably ignoble those drug companies are. Amazing.



Secondly, these are my drugs...

They put them in convenient little pouches for morning, noon, and night doses. How very sweet of them :)

I'm calling in sick tomorrow too and have taken this week off the gym. I hate it, but think it might be what's best. Good thing I have all the candy my Dad sent me from home to keep me sufficiently sugared up!

Here's to your health...may it always be good.