Subject: Patch and Mr. Patil

Date: March 22, 2013 4:43:03 AM PDT

Hi Auntie,

We had an interesting experience in London yesterday.  Noelle has been concerned about getting ill here in the UK as she didn't want to have to spend the better part of a day going to a doctor; and anyway, where would she go?  As you know, because it's social medicine here, while there is no charge to anyone (even Americans visiting--bless those Brits!) it can take most of your day to see the doctor.

Noelle told me she had hung on without needing medical attention until now.  She has developed a cruddy looking thing on her elbow.  It gets larger and smaller--it's bulbous and red -- but sometimes it's white--the size seems to correspond to the irritation on her elbow from her shirt sleeve.  Anyway, Noey said she thinks she picked it up at her gym the day the club was having water problems -- as the patch had appeared then.

Well, the first thing I thought was that it may be scabies.  I didn't want her to be 'bugged' by my concern -- and the pictures I looked up of scabies didn't really match exactly, but I couldn't be sure--so I didn't mention scabies.
Anyway, late afternoon we checked into the Grovsnor House Hotel, which is a very upscale establishment.  It was at this time that her 'patch' (actually 3 patches) were largely inflated, red, bulbous, and very itchy.

Noelle said, "mom, I need to get this looked at before we go to Italy, because what are we going to do over there? -- it itches like crazy and is driving me nuts".

We considered options.  As the hotel could get a doctor but didn't have an in-house medico, we decided the best thing to do was ask the concierge for his advice.

We sheepishly walked up to William the concierge.  I said, "my daughter has a condition with her skin that needs to be looked at".
William leaned forward, lowered his voice, and asked to see it.  After looking at her patches, William ducked his head further and quietly said,
"Here's what I want you to do.  I have a friend. He can help you -- he gives medicine to Americans."
William drew on a map, the route we should walk, to a nearby pharmacy.  Then William quietly said:
"Immediately go to the rear of the store and ask for Mr. Patil.  Tell him William, at the Grovsnor, sent you"

So we went to a small pharmacy and went straight to the back.
"we are to ask for Mr. Patil. William of the Grovsnor sent us" we said.
The young man said, "If I say I am Mr. Patil, will you let me help you?"
"YES!"
He took a look and brought out some cream.  In the meantime the real Mr. Patil (a man in his 70's) looked at Noey's afflicted area, prescribed the same ointment but added to continue using it for 30 days even if the patches disappeared. The young, Mr. Patil, said, "stay away from health clubs. Do something safe".

And with that advice, and the magic ointment, we left to explore a few PUBS.  We decided that this must be how social medicine is dealt with.  There's an underground system that is highly effective and quick -- you just need your network of contacts. 

We are off to Rome!  We will be in touch!

Luann