An Unwanted Adventure: Visiting the Local Hospital

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This past week, I had an opportunity to experience another first in Slovakia. 

More than that, it was a “first while abroad.” Although I managed to avoid hospitals and doctor’s offices in France and Poland, my days of evading foreign medical care came to an end today in Slovakia. After slipping and falling yesterday, I gashed my tow and turned my apartment into something that looked more akin to a bloody crime scene. The suspect, in this case, was the innocent-looking shower mat that took me for an unexpected ride in which I landed on my back with blood pouring forth from a wound in my toe.

After using paper towels and borovička (a traditional alcoholic vodka-like drink) to clean the wound, I tried in vain to stop the blood as I limped around. With a bit of mixed success, I (against my mother’s advice) decided that I’d tough it out because I didn’t want to burden anyone, and I thought I could “fix it” and allow the wound to heal on its own. Additionally, I have taken an odd pride in my ability to live healthfully and avoid the headache of foreign medical care. Unfortunately, I was wrong. It did not “fix itself” or begin to heal overnight. Luckily, one of the English teachers, Roman, brought me iodine and a real bandage this morning and encouraged me to consider resting today. I’m relatively stubborn when it comes to keeping a schedule and fulfilling my obligations. After cleaning everything properly, I hobbled to class and began the process of swallowing my misplaced pride. After teaching my last class, I asked Roman if he could take me to the local hospital. 

In addition to guiding me to the right place, he translated everything for me and helped me to make sense of things. After being told they could’ve stitched it had I come yesterday when the wound was fresh, I learned that they would use a special bandage, yet it would probably scar. I suppose that’s what I get for trying to tough it out and handle it my way; I’m appreciative of my wonderful friends & colleagues.

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