Above the Law: Commerce health care not up to par

Have you ever had to visit the Commerce hospital or the Student Health Services clinic on campus?

I had never been to these places before, as I am not sick very often, so I had no opinion formed of them. Of course, I had heard stories from people who said mixed things about the student clinic here on campus and issues that people have had with the Commerce hospital, but I never really gave them much thought. Until I needed to use those facilities myself, that is.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the student clinic with severe tonsil pain and swollen neck glands. Being the researcher I am, I went to the Internet first and identified the symptoms typically associated with tonsillitis. When I went into the clinic to let them know what my ailment was, they were polite and got me in to see the physician's assistant.

After looking at my throat and seeing my swollen tonsils, the lady told me that I might have mono. What? I didn't even have the symptoms of mono, but being worried, I decided to take the test. Of course, it was negative.

I left the office $12 poorer with a bag of cough drops and no idea what was wrong with me – but at least I knew I didn't have mono. That was kind of a racket, but it was child's play compared to the anger I feel for the Commerce hospital.

For about a week now, my wisdom tooth has been bothering me and progressively getting worse. I woke up at 5:00 a.m. the other day with tears streaming out of my eyes because of the pain. I couldn't sleep, so I walked the mile and a half to the hospital.

Upon my arrival, I was ushered into a room and examined by a doctor who told me I have an impacted wisdom tooth, which has developed an abscess. I explained that I have no money to get it removed at present. I am simply trying to make it through the pain until the end of the semester, so I can get back to Dallas to have them extracted at a dental school. All I needed was something for the infection and pain.

The doctor knew I was in severe pain because I still had tears coming out of my eyes while I was there, but she did nothing for my pain except give me an anti-inflammatory prescription. I have been taking it, but to no avail. Now I am relegated to taking a regimen of about 6000 mg of ibuprofen a day just to sort of deal with it, but am still in excruciating pain. I'm sure my stomach and liver are very happy with me.

Thank you, Commerce, for your help with my health issues.