1479. Eye examination and 3rd rabies vaccination

Aug 29, 2014
Had a routine eye examination at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
A kind lady at the appointment counter last week recommended me an experienced "retina" specialist.

He really took the time to explain to me the causes of "lights" seen when I moved my head suddenly and sometimes at night. That was 2 years ago. Due to ageing, the vitreous has contracted and breaks off from the retina. So, there were phosphids lights seen. Now there is no more such detachment. I must read up more.

Went for 3rd rabies vaccination. Met a friend who was going to Sri Lanka on a "missionary" work.for her church. "Missionary means a long stay," I said to her as she would be visiting for 1 week.. "OK, it is mission work,"

She had also gone to Thailand on mission work. One dog bit her. She got one rabies vaccination in Thailand. "How did you get a dog to bite you?" I asked.

"I was staying in the University hostel. On the last day, I decide to jog outside the safe grounds of the University. I jogged past the roadside stalls. Suddenly 10 street dogs came towards me. They were guarding the stalls."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"I stopped and shouted at them. Staring at them. To run would encourage them to chase me. I stepped back slowly, step by step."
"So how could any dog bite you?

"One dog nipped me at my lower leg. He came from my side."
So she was defending the frontal assault and got flanked.
"I thought nothing of this dog bite. There was some bleeding above my knee when I went back to the hostel. I dismissed this bite but my church leader asked me to get a rabies vaccination. So I got one done and I went to Tan Tock Seng Travel Clinic for the next 4."

The clinic had no place for her. So she went to Raffles Medical which charged her $175 per vaccination as compared to $150 as Tan Tock Seng.

"The nurse told me I should get the antibodies injection. It would be very painful and costly. Around $3,000."

"Did you do it?" I asked.
"Dog bites in Thailand are classified not serious, serious and very serious (deep wound). Mine would be not serious. So I did not do it. Anyway, Raffles Medical did not have it. I got 5 vaccinations"

"Since you are still alive, you would not have rabies," I said.
"I prayed and prayed." she laughed.