An early post this time last February was a short account of my annual eye test. This week I went through the identical procedure–Mr Nguyen is reassuringly methodical.
Arrive–present my Carte Vitale (the card accessing the French health care system)–take a seat in the waiting room.
This is usually backed up with a crowd of anxious, silent people but is empty this year (maybe it’s the freezing weather)–apart from a couple who whisper together as though the Queen were in the next room!
No sooner do I unfold my copy of The New Yorker magazine when out comes the doctor with a patient and–moments later–the summons:
Monsieur Ellis?
Eye Test–(15/2/2011)
I learned early on, that managing Type 2 Diabetes involves more than watching what you eat—it’s really a head to toe job!
The villain sugar is a ruthless foe. It will take advantage of any weaknesses with alacrity, and insinuate itself into those vulnerable spots like eyes and feet if you drop your guard, causing damage that cannot be reversed.…
“Put your chin on the strap please and place your forehead against the bar—look straight ahead and don’t move”.
The forced intimacy of doctor and patient is strange. As he leans forward and shines his special torch deep into my eyes, we are eyeball to eyeball. For a moment I feel like the Man in the Iron Mask, receiving a visit.
The short pause before he says–pas de diabetes [no sign of diabetes], is a bit nerve-wracking; on occasion I’ve caught myself crossing my fingers under the table—though I forgot this morning!
Phew-another year gone!
Being tested has become part of life again. Just like schooldays.
I see Cyril for feet every three months and have a blood test to check cholesterol and glucose levels as often. No big deal really—when your life depends on it.
Pas de diabete! Encore phew!
Less than 15 minutes after “the summons“, I had paid 27 euros for the consultation (to be reimbursed later), made an appointment for February next year and was searching for my car key outside in the cold.
Robin Ellis 