It was in February
when I had my last check-up with my ENT doctor in St. Luke's. This was still in
relation to my sore throat that took more than a month. I had throat swab. The
test showed the microorganisms present in my throat and the antibiotics that they
are sensitive or they can resist.
Well, to sum up, my
doctor said that everything was fine. I had nothing to worry. Though there are
microorganisms present in my throat. They are normal, the doctor said.
Months have passed.
Sometimes I could feel that there's something inside my throat that bothers me.
I could feel hoarseness, as if there's something rough in my throat that goes
down and up. I also noticed that my tonsils are not normal in size. And
actually, my left tonsil is larger than my right tonsil.
Until one day this
June. I felt some pain in my throat. When I checked my mouth, I saw that my
tonsils were swollen. I was then bothered when I saw some white pus. The
following day, when I checked again, I saw some scratches on my tonsil.
I seek for the
advice of our company physician, like what I always did when I had it on the
first time. She told me to take clarithromycin twice a day within five days.
Later, I realized that I have flu. Some fever, colds and cough. I came to the
conclusion that the reason why I had the sore throat was because of the flu.
Before I could
actually consume the drugs, I noticed that my throat was feeling better.
Nevertheless, just a
week after, I felt some pain again in my throat. I saw some white pus again on
my left tonsil. I felt anxious for myself.
I took personal
medication. I took clarithromycin twice a day within five days. However, five
days have passed and yet I was still feeling some hoarseness in my throat.
So I decided to go
back to the doctor. She told me that my tonsils were indeed swollen. I asked
her if she could refer me to ENT for check-up. She also informed me of possible
removal of my tonsils.
Eer! That's an
operation.
On June 29, I went
to St. Lukes. They referred me to a different ENT.
The doctor explained
to me the importance of the tonsils and when they become useless.
At the young age,
tonsils are important because they produce cells that protect us from
infections. However, at the age of eight, lymph nodes started to grow that
replace the job of the tonsils. At the same age, tonsils should start to shrink
and become useless.
As we intake
different foods and anything in our mouth, tonsils become the best breeding
place for organisms to grow. Considering that mouth is the dirtiest part of the
body.
There are three
scenarios that could lead to tonsillectomy or the removal of tonsils. As for my
case, recurrent tonsillitis and enlarged tonsils are the causes why I need to
undergo the operation, Dr. Jurilla said. He added that in the level of one to
four of tonsils enlargement, my case is already three.
In case that
tonsillitis is recurrent, complications could lead to rheumatic heart disease
or kidney failure. Rationale: there are veins from the tonsils which are
connected to the heart and kidney.
The doctor already
scheduled me for the operation on July 16th.
I'm not yet decided
for the operation because I was thinking for the cost. St. Luke's is not an
ordinary hospital. It's one of the expensive hospital.
The next day, I went
to our company doctor. I told her that I was scheduled for an operation. I
asked her if I could go to other hospital which is cheaper than St. Luke's.
So she referred me
to Humana. I need to ask for an LOA, she said.
When I was in
Humana, the ENT doctor re-examined me. I was surprised that he informed me that
I am pretty good. That I have nothing to worry.
In contrast to Dr.
Jurilla, Dr. Vincent Luzod (if I got his name correct), told me that in the
range of one to four tonsil enlargement, my case is only two. He added that the
operation for my case is not necessary not unless I want to.
With Dr. Vincent's
statement, I was vindicated. I decided not to undergo the operation.
As per him, the
operation is recommended on the following: having three tonsillitis within a
year in three consecutive years; having five tonsillitis within a year in two
consecutive years; and/or having seven tonsillitis within a year.
As of press time,
I'm doing fine. The hoarseness I was feeling since this week has gone.
Hoping for the best.
