I wandered into a private clinic and asked if they could sell me an antibiotic
‘ yes, but what are managing?’
“ An infection caused by something that got stuck between some teeth.”
‘ but you don’t need an antibiotic for this surely, a mouthwash and anti inflammatory would be better. Stop misusing antibiotics.’
I told him I had a fever and felt horrible.
He asked if he could take a look.
He looked, and said ‘you definitely need an antibiotic, and a visit to a dentist ASAP.’
Not A es pi. But Asap, like it was one word.
‘ you have periodontitis, and if it’s not taken care ASAP it will get worse.’
He started rummaging through the medicine cabinet.
I will give you a Brufen as well.’
“I don’t take brufen.”
‘ you have ulcers?’
“ Not I don’t but it gives me heart burn.’
‘You definitely have ulcers.’
“ are you trying to scare me with all this information?’
‘no, I’m just vulgar in the way I talk. I call a spade a spade.’
“Still, it’s frightening.”
He stops briefly and comes back to look inside my mouth.
‘you’ve had fillings, but you need more, some of your teeth are completely out.’
I don’t tell him that sounds like a death sentence, I come from a family where teeth have been known to take someone out. But I guess it shows in my worried expression.
‘ it’s a very simple procedure. They just need to scoop out the stuff that’s gone and fill it up or do a root canal or extract them.’
“I will lose my teeth too.” I say.
‘Not necessarily, and you are young enough. How old are you?’
I tell him to take a guess.
I’m expecting him to say, 27,30 or 32. Then I can smile like the duchess of a non- English speaking country and say,
“Ooh, I wish, I’m so much older. I will be 40 soon.”
He says;
‘You must be in the 45-50 age group.’
I almost fall of my chair.
I laugh and he says, ‘you’re younger than that? Much younger?’
I ask him “is it the hat?”
I’ve been wearing this Marvin we people of Limuru wear when it’s this cold.
‘ maybe, because I can’t see half your face. But you must be a sweet sixteen, please tell me your age?’
“45,” I tell him laughing.
He says ‘ oh no I hurt your feelings.’
“ No you didn’t. It’s just I’ve been telling people I’m 40 for the longest time I guess it’s starting to show.”
He writes down the number of a dentist that went to school with him.
Then gives me the antibiotics.
“ These will make me throw up.”
‘Why?’
“Just the color, don’t you have something neutral?”
‘I thought girls like pink? He starts but then unsure of himself says, ‘ well, maybe it depends on what it is.’
“ You didn’t tell me your name?”
‘You didn’t ask.’
He tells me his name and tells me he won’t charge me for consultation.
I tell him I feel better already.
“We are used to being mishandled by doctors but you’ve been very helpful.”
He goes on something about not accepting anything less from a private hospital.
He’s a nice fellow.
24 at most. The new breed that is not scared of anything or anyone.
I think I just found me a personal doctor.
(Though he clearly told me he is not a doctor but a clinical officer
which was sweet. It’s like a disclaimer, I can only do so much for you.)
