X-Ray Vision

So in case you couldn't tell through my incessant complaining in my blogs, but my foot constantly bothered me after Versailles (especially in London) so I finally decided to see a doctor about it. If there was a serious problem and they had to cut off my foot, I don't think this trip would have been worth it. Well maybe...the food has been REALLY good...

I set up an appointment conveniently during French class and go see Dr. Pierre. I forgot his last name, but Pierre was definitely his first name. French doctor's offices aren't the sterile white rooms like in the USA but it's more of a comfy office with his desk, library etc right next to the patients table. When it was my turn and he came to call me he asked for "Mademoiselle Burnay" as if the double LL was an "ay sound". I don't know if there was a typo and he thought they were i's? but it was cute. J'adore.

Anyway, he sits me down and starts feeling around my feet. Mind you my feet post a month and a half of Paris...not pretty. AND since I'm in constant paint they are always swollen, hot, and sweaty (per usual) so I felt real bad for Dr. Pierre at this point. He stops groping my foot and tells me I have two options 1.) my foot is broken 2.) I have a bone disease. Cool...? Thanks Dr. Pierre...I don't really know how either of these would have happened, but he's the doctor right? He sent me on my merry way to get x-rays with instructions on taking painkillers. Apparently French ibprofen is much stronger than American drugs soo I didn't need vicodin...their over the counter stuff would do the trick. Sweet.

I then proceed to the X-Ray office and get lost for basically the first time in Paris. And I wander 15 minutes out of my way on the way there. Really fun when your foot is potentially broken or diseased.

Anyway, I finally make it there and get x-rayed. The technician was asking me some questions in French. I stood there mouth opened drooling and she could tell I had no idea what was going on. She then said slowly and with hand motions "avec bébe??" with baby? Oh helll nah woman, I haven't eaten THAT many crepes for her to think that. Maybe she saw my swollen and sweaty ass feet and just assumed. My reaction of "Non, non, non, NON MERCI" almost scared her.

The main doctor calles me back "Mademoiselle Burnay? I have your results" WOO English. But she can't tell me my results in English. But she keeps saying inconclusive from what I gathered. Phew, at least the break isn't big enough to show clearly on the x-ray and bone disease doesn't show up on x-ray but I REALLY don't think that's possible.

Since my only options with a fractured food are to 1.) not walk and 2.) use these weird crutches. I opt for option 3). take lots of painkillers and suck it up. I'll deal with it in the States where they say my last name right and tell me what's wrong in a language I understand.

Unfortunately, this makes daily tasks difficult but I am woman, I am strong. With the help of Bettie, I can do anything.

Best part of this whole thing: socialized medicine. I was in and out of both the doctor's office and x-ray technicians office within 2 hours (Even less if i hadn't gotten lost) when I had no appointments until the day OF. Plus it cost me 60 euros total (yes, even for the x-rays) and I can get reimbursed by my insurance company in the States. Way to go France, you're on to something!

These would be the crutches I'd have to use.

And what I'd probably turn into.