Two days ago, I was bitten by a mosquito. I guess some readers thought that there were no mosquitos in the winter, but they do exist. It was itchy first, but it gradually became painful. When I was painting last day, I felt more pain. Then, I couldn't sleep well last night because of it.

When I sew my thumb finger this morning, it was swollen like a picture below. My husband used to work for a pharmaceutical company as a medical representative , so he has medical knowledge. I asked him what I should do. He suggested me that I take an antibiotic and apply a steroid ointment to the area, but he told me that I should see a doctor. He was worried if I might be infected by streptococcus. I don't like taking any antibiotics because I get easily side effects, which makes my stomach really upset. Even so, I took it.

While chatting with my friend from Texas, I shared what had happened to my thumb. We talked about mosquitos in the winter as well. He also suggested that I see a doctor, adding that I should do if I really didn't want to lose my thumb. He taught me a good phase, "It's better to be safe than sorry", and we also have a similar expression in Japanese. We say 用心するに越したことはない. (I write it here for Japanese learners.)

After chatting, I decided going to see a doctor because tomorrow would be Thursday, and most clinics in Japan would be close. Unfortunately, the clinic I used to go wasn't open today, so I had to go a different one. Since it was my first time consulting a doctor, I had to wait for two and a half hours.

The doctor prescribed me antibiotics for five days and a tube of steroid ointment which my husband had already suggested this morning. I started taking the medicine, but it makes my stomach really upset. I should have asked the doctor to give me something to protect my stomach too. I asked my husband if we had those at home, but he said we didn't. I'm frustrated that I have to take the medicine three times a day for five days. My thumb is hurt and my stomach feels awful, and today was the worst!

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