Returning to the Hospital Three Weeks After Thyroid Cancer Surgery

 

A Hospital Visit After Three Weeks

It has already been three weeks since I was hospitalized and underwent surgery for thyroid cancer. My first outpatient appointment after discharge was scheduled for 4 PM, so I left home early after having a late breakfast and lunch. Before meeting the doctor, I needed to get a blood test done. Even the hospital guide recommended arriving at least two hours before the appointment.

As I walked alone to the bus stop, the air felt chilly. Maybe because the heat arrived early this year, the air conditioners were already running inside the buses. I still felt cold from the breeze, so I turned off the air vent above me and adjusted my clothes properly.

The hospital I visited again after a long time was still crowded with people. I took a number ticket, paid the registration fee, and went up to the second floor for the blood test. You would think I would be used to it by now, but the needle piercing the vein still stings every time.

While making another payment, a staff member told me to stop by the discharge desk as well. I took another number and waited.

When I was discharged, I had paid around 1.9 million won by card. At the time, they explained that the total hospital bill could later increase or decrease depending on the final calculation. After checking again, the amount was reduced to around 500,000 won, so the previous payment was canceled and processed again.

Once again, I felt grateful for the Korean National Health Insurance system.

At the same time, a thought crossed my mind.
"Should I be happier that the hospital bill decreased, or that it was not a more serious cancer?"

Waiting Time Inside the Hospital

There was still plenty of time before my appointment, so I went to the administration office and issued the hospitalization confirmation documents and detailed medical expense statements needed for insurance claims.

As I organized the pile of papers in my hands, I opened Wonderful Land by Douglas Kennedy to help pass the time.

It has already been two months since I first started coming to the hospital, including the mammotome procedure. During that time, I could barely read books. I could not concentrate, and even turning the pages felt difficult. Now that the end is finally beginning to appear, I am trying to regain some peace of mind by reading at least a few pages.

A Small Gift for the Doctor

I bought some bread from the bakery inside the hospital. Since I did not know what the doctor would like, I picked several kinds and wrote a short memo before heading toward the consultation room.

I remembered the first time I met the doctor. He was extremely strict and professional, leaving no room for small talk. At first, I felt a little hurt by that coldness. But he has remained the same throughout the entire process. I wanted him to take even a brief moment of rest while eating something sweet, so I handed over the small gift.

From diagnosis to surgery, everything moved quickly because of him. I wrote my gratitude briefly on the note.

Thankfully, although I have cancer, there is no metastasis to other areas. I received two weeks’ worth of medication and some medicine to help with wound recovery.

Rainy Evening on the Way Home

I have to return to the hospital again in two weeks.

There will be another blood test, and that day I also need to visit the orthopedic department.

When I stepped outside, rain was falling steadily. The sky had already been cloudy when I left home earlier, but eventually the rain began. I bought a transparent umbrella at the convenience store inside the hospital and walked outside.

I was hungry. After receiving my prescription medicine from a pharmacy outside the hospital, I headed home.

Back to my warm home.