Hazia’s Reflections

"Do not panic! Wait till we get there next week!" that was what my mother said when I was on the phone with her just now. Apparently, the cystic acne on my right cheek had only reduced slightly in the last 1 week. It still look like a giant pimple. Luckily, the infection had stopped. I went to see the doctor again, that was my 5th visit to his clinic located in Bangsar. Just imagine how much it was causing me. He had given me 2 types of injections for 3 days which costed RM150 x 3. He said that would solve it within 48 hours, it didn’t work though. That really set me off! Add another RM315 for medications, mostly antibiotics.

What ticked me off further was that he kept saying I ‘messed’ with it i.e. poke, etc. Man, I dare not even poke a normal pimple, let alone something like this. Just now he finally said that I should take medication for another 6 days. If it still doesn’t go off, I need to consider incision. Because it is on my face, only a plastic surgeon can do it. If I avoid 4 to 5-star medical centres, it would cost around RM500 and there will be no scar. It takes 45 minutes and I need 2 days off work to recover. Well, if it costs me another RM500 to get it (and the doctor) off my face, I’ll go ahead.

My mother said no. Her reasoning was simple. It isn’t getting any bigger or worst, it’s not ugly, it’s not painful and it’s not dangerous. So, there’s no hurry. A surgery may have side effects. Traditional alternatives may work just fine. My aunties and her had that before above their eyebrows during their younger years, it was painful and took a long time to heal. But there was no scar.

Because I didn’t trust the doctor from day 1, I finally got a letter from him detailing the treatment (told him I wanted to claim) and sought a second opinion just now (from our company’s panel doctor). She was fast, she said the medications were already very strong, she think I should have it removed already. If it’s on any other part of the body, she can do it for RM100. But she didn’t dare touch my face, only a plastic surgeon can do it. Mann!! So, the crook did give me the right advice after all, only the cost was ridiculously high.

I spoke to our Admins Manager just now. She said I can claim medical expenses up to a maximum of RM500. Phew! Good enough, bear in mind that I’m going to be unemployed for 3 weeks in December.

I can’t imagine how I would react to a serious diagnosis considering how panicky I could get over a tiny cyst:)