Finally getting this health system figured out

While Tulsa isn't exactly the "country" it is considerably different than Paris, especially in air quality.   One of the biggest difficulties I have had since spring has started is difficulty in breathing.  My asthma has been the worst it has ever been, and as of two days ago, I was completely out of asthma medicine. 

So today, feeling confident in my French skills, and in my ability to act like an ignorant tourist, I went to the local pharmacy to ask for some help with getting a replacement inhaler.  Nothing fancy, just a little Primatine mist, which will forever remind me of my father.   Anyway, I was shocked to find out that there were no over-the-counter asthma medicines available in France.   WHAT?   So the pharmacist recommended that I go see a doctor, and by some magic circumstance there was a doctor just down that same street that would see people without an appointment.   So, I went!

Entering into the doctors office is nothing like going to the doctor in the states.  These offices are made out of simple apartments, with one bedroom being the waiting room, and another bedroom being the doctors office.   It was interesting to say the least, but as I sat there (with no receptionist greeting me) I kept practicing in my mind how to tell this doctor in French what exactly was wrong with me.   As soon as he walked in the waiting room, I blurted out in my favorite American accent, "Parlez-vous Anglais?"  (Do you speak English?) 

Thankfully, he DID.  So after a short exam and my explanation of my symptoms he giggled and said that the pollution in the Parisian warm air was what was causing so many flair ups.   He suggested a much stronger steroid medication and even gave me two months worth of the medicine for no cost.  I then paid the 30 euros for an uninsured doctors visit, and was on my way.  

As I walked back to my flat with a little more air than normal, I thought to myself... "wow, I may actually be getting this whole health system figured out." It only took me nine months and several failures to get there, but hey... that is half of the fun!