Tonsillectomy

Definition

Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the tonsils. The tonsils are part of the lymphatic system, which is responsible for fighting infection.

Purpose

Tonsils are removed when a person, most often a child, has any of the following conditions:

• obstruction
• sleep apnea (a condition in which an individual snores loudly and stops breathing temporarily at intervals during sleep)
• inability to swallow properly because of enlarged tonsils
• a breathy voice or other speech abnormality due to enlarged tonsils
• recurrent or persistent abscesses or throat infections

Physicians are not in complete agreement on the number of sore throats that necessitate a tonsillectomy. Most would agree that four cases of strep throat in any one year; six or more episodes of tonsillitis in one year; or five or more episodes of tonsillitis per year for two years indicate that the tonsils should be removed.

Source:

I went to Manila Doctors this morning. I was to have a check-up with the doctor because of my recurrent tonsillitis (tonsil infection).

Our family has a medical insurance so doctor consultations are free. The procedure would be like this: before going to an accredited doctor of the insurance company, a client must go to the insurance company's medical representative called the health coordinator. A client will get an endorsement slip from this health coordinator which he shall present to the doctor he needs to see.

Simple.

Not!

I arrived at the out patient department of the Manila Doctors at around 8:50am in the morning. I went straight to the health coordinator's office to get my endorsement slip. When I arrived at their office, the door was locked and there was no light that came from inside, based on the translucent glass window of the door. The office was still closed because apparently it opens at 9:00am.

I got a fleeting feeling because this was one of the rare moments I was not late for an appointment. Haha! Also, I was the first in line so I was going to be the first to get attended upon.

So, I waited outside their office.  

9:30am. There was no health coordinator in sight.

Thank gawd, they had comfy benches and an airconditioning unit at their hall way. Else...

10:00am. Still. There was no health coordinator.

Thank gawd, I had my iPod with me. Else...

10:15am. No one came.

If I was having a fever at that time, I would have become human torch. I was flaming.

So, with my anger I texted their insurance policy facilitator. I tried my best to euphemise my anger with this text message: Good morning, this is a card holder of *insert health issurance company here*. I just want to complain that I have been waiting for your health coordinator here in Manila Doctors Hospital OPD for more than 1 hour already. The sign on the door says that it should've opened at 9:00am. It's already 10:15am, still there is no one in the coordinator clinic. Please do something about this.

Was it euphemised enough? Or was I too soft and kind?

After a minute or so, the facilitator called me up. He apologized for the inconvenience it had caused me but he had to withstand a long tirade of banters from me first. 

I am such a kind client ain't I? Hahaha!

While on the phone, he gave me instructions on the things I could do so I could have my check-up. Everything went well and I was able to have my consult.

And I lived, "evily" ever after.

-END.-