French Riviera uti
I’m pacing around the top floor of our gorgeous apartment in the south of France, wrapped in a fleece blanket like a shivering, felted burrito. Why, you ask? Because I’m trying to properly digest the antibiotics I just swallowed with a splash of vanilla almond milk and a bowl of supposedly “healthy” cocoa-hazelnut cereal. This is my second dose. Trust me to develop a UTI in the middle of my holiday. Truly devastating luck.
If I must get any side effects, here’s hoping they at least kill my appetite, so I can lose the rest of the weight I put on in America, lol.
The translated drug pamphlet instructions (thanks Google translate!) very sternly warned me not to lie down after taking them, as they’re highly acidic and can apparently burn a hole through your oesophagus if they get stuck. So, ever the cautious one, I’m pacing around to help them make their safe descent.
It’s late October and even in France the mornings bite! —Crispy and cold. By about 3pm, though, the day “preheats” just enough to prance about in a little dress and cardigan.
When I first arrived in France, the rain was biblical. The kind that soaks you to the bone within seconds. So naturally, I went to a shopping mall— as did seemingly the everyone else in town. It was heaving and I was instantly overwhelmed and overstimulated. I wondered aimlessly for nearly an hour before I could even face stepping inside a shop.
Eventually I decided to hunt for boots, since I’d only packed impractical shoes: my soft suede-leather loafers and pointed-stiletto court heels— hardly suitable for downpours. But after a few department stores, I found the perfect pair! Sleek black leather-ish boots with a narrow squared toe and a high block heel. They’re comfortable enough that I don’t even need socks! Ideal! As I didn’t pack many! I also stumbled upon the most adorable tweedy bucket hat— in practically the exact same colour scheme as one of my tailored winter jackets back home. I can’t wait to wear the two together! Nothing makes for a cosier winter than tweed on tweed! Perhaps some may say; like double denim, double tweed is sinful. I however, cannot get enough! I’d actually love to find a tweedy handbag this season! I’ll add that to my to do list while I mope on the sofa this afternoon.
The ride home from the mall was unexpectedly glam. Our driver arrived in a sleek, “Chinese” apparently, car with a burnt-orange leather interior and massage seats. He was very excited to show them off. At first, the massage made me slightly nauseous— then, strangely, not being massaged made me feel nauseous! It was the most luxe way imaginable to travel home through torrential rain.
Now, I am so grateful for the NHS and I do believe everyone should have access to free healthcare. However, it’s heartbreaking how underfunded and overstretched it’s become— so yes, if you can go private, you do.
That said, I was incredibly impressed by the French healthcare system. From realising I might need antibiotics to seeing a pharmacist, consulting a doctor, and getting my prescription filled — all in 15 minutes. England could never. Back home, I’d still be on hold trying to book a GP appointment.
Luckily, I caught the infection early — I had just reached the constant need-to-pee stage. The burning agony stage hadn’t yet developed. With my perpetually weak immune system and chronic fatigue syndrome, it is important to notice and treat ailments fast. Truly, I have the constitution of a Victorian child. I even had scarlet fever in my childhood! —Which feels poetically on-brand for someone with my fragility.
Here’s hoping these antibiotics behave themselves and don’t derail the rest of my holiday!!!!!