Been sick lately

Been down with an ear infection. iOtitis Externa and it does hurt on one whole side of my face and ear. No fun at all.
It's a time of recuperation and a lot of reflection.

First off, I got lucky again that this struck me as I am spending time here overseas where healthcare is cheaper.

I guess it's on a 50-50 chance since half the time I am always here, anyways.
The Philippines has sort of a public healthcare system but it is only for the very poor.

Here's the breakdown so far:

Ear Nose and Throat specialist: (ear canal draining) $70 (yes, I waited 2 and a half hours, so what? I wasn't dying.)
Antihistamines (14 tablets): $2.50
Nasal spray: $10
Ear medication drops: $5 (don't tell me countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia --not even mentioning Canada---have the balls to collectively negotiate for lower prices while America, the base of most of Pharma doesn't?)

Before this, I was also able to have:
2 dental fillings: Php: 3,000 divide that by 40 (actual exchange rate is 42, but for simpler math) =$75
Mom's dental implants --3 teeth: Php: 30,000 which comes out to $750--$250 per tooth. (yes, I shouldered that since their benefits were reduced this year.)

I still feel lucky I haven't been struck with anything more serious. I have made paypal donations to another artist who is waiting for a kidney transplant. This is what we are reduced to: fund raisers for people we know who get sick. I did not contribute to another one that I was messaged for because he already has a lot of backers in his medical fundraiser so I can afford to rest my paypal (which is getting rather thin lately).


In the end, it really is only a matter of time before I am struck by something far more lethal and therefore more expensive... and when that happens, I guess I'll just go into the wilderness, go as far north as I can, wrestle a bear and die with dignity.  Someone else will have to beg money for me.