Ulcers.

I think I have one.

Last week, while I was attending a summit, my upper abdominal area started hurting. I disregarded it, and just thought it was indigestion/nerves/etc. The pain is like hunger pains but a bit more intense and they occur in the upper abdomen area, sometimes right below the breast bone. They start about one hour after I eat and occur nonstop until I eat something again- even if it’s a cup of milk and a plain piece of bread. Last night, I grilled shrimp and ate steamed broccoli and carrots- stomach resisted and pain ensued for hours afterward.

And, the other symptom is horrible breath. Dragon breath. I went to the dentist a few months ago and had my cleaning and check up and besides a few cavities, everything was fine. This dragon breath even overcomes Mentadent toothpaste within minutes of use.

Which brings us to the next dilemma- access to health care. When I moved to this Midwestern oasis city, I was in graduate school. One of the perks of going to this graduate school was the medical resources and the on-campus student health center. Since graduating two years ago, I’ve not bothered finding a doctor, because when I’m sick I need instant care, not waiting three weeks for a new patient appointment.

My three sinus infections- went to Urgent Care. It only cost $40 and I was seen in 10 minutes, had antibiotics and was out the door within 40 minutes of signing in.

Sprained wrist two weeks ago- Urgent Care.

There have been a couple of other ailments that I went to Urgent Care for, like the aftereffects of wisdom teeth extraction. I really feel I need a real doctor, not just Urgent Care. So, I’m on a quest to find a doctor that won’t make me wait three weeks for treatment. I’ve left some messages for callbacks for appointments and am going to the Family Dollar on my lunch break to get some highly recommended acid blocker medicine. If I do not have a doctor appointment by Thursday, I’m going to do Urgent Care. Again. Or sooner, if I don’t stop googling “peptic ulcers + mortality.”

What can I say? One of my fears is dying alone in my apartment and my cat eating my body to stay alive.