February 7, 2012

Aren't doctors supposed to be older than twelve?

So I finally broke down and went to the doctor today (nothing serious, I might add).  But, I'd been putting it off for months (I know, I KNOW! BAD Gigi!).

Because the last time I went I was informed that the woman I usually see was leaving.  In fact, it was her last week there.  I was lucky I'd scheduled the appointment when I did - otherwise I would have missed her completely.

News of her leaving devastated me.  I'd been seeing her for approximately fourteen years.  FOURTEEN YEARS!  I had a rapport with this woman - a relationship, if you will.

Had she just moved to another practice, I would have told her to pack my very thick file into her black bag and I would have moved along with her.  But, alas, she went to work for a private company - so short of me quitting my job and somehow figuring out a way to get hired on at that company, I was without a doctor.

Not technically, of course, since the other doctors at the practice would be more than willing to poke and prod me.  But they aren't her.  They don't know me - inside and out.  They don't know my family by name.  They don't know that Man-Child is set to graduate this May.  They don't know that Hubby has been out of work. They don't know anything about me - other than words written in the file - which are just words, that I am sure are written in Doctorese and don't convey all that went behind those words.  Basically, they don't know anything about ME.

And this left me feeling nervous.  So, I stuck my head in the sand.  You know, like ALL normal and rational people do.

So I've had this minor issue - for months and months now (apparently, if the truth be told, this has been an issue for longer than I initially thought as I was informed today I hadn't been in for over a year! Yikes! That tells me how easily it is for me to ignore things that I TOTALLY don't want to deal with.....) and finally I got the courage to make the appointment - with a totally new person.  As in new to me and the practice, she's only been at the practice for about two weeks (and, oh my God, is she YOUNG!).

She seemed competent.  She seemed nice.  She's not the woman my other one was - but I think she will do.  And?  I won't be so quick to blow off those minor things now.  One because it is NEVER a good idea to wait when you have an issue (if I'd gone earlier - I could have been saved a lot of aggravation) and two, because I've met her.  And she's not so bad - but she is so YOUNG!  It's gonna take some getting used to; having a doctor that is younger than me - aren't they all supposed to be older and wiser?  Maybe I'll ask her to don a gray wig and some glasses next time; I'm sure she won't mind (or immediately order a psychiatric evaluation; because that's TOTALLY a rational request.....right?).

12 comments:

  1. Being young just means she has lots more years to practice. You have the privilege to be among the first of her guinea pigs. Hope you train her well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Going to the doctor can be stressful - especially when you go to see a new one.

    Hope everything is OK!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I don't have a family doctor anymore, mine moved and I can't find one I like. I got to my gyn for everything, he's in his 40's, gay, still lives with his mother and has the best sense of humor ever! Glad you are getting that minor thing taken care of before it became a major thing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wrote about this very thing a few years ago when I broke my foot and wrist. I was staring in the face of my peers. It was very unnerving.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wrote about it a few years ago. My doctor can't be more than twelve, either. But I figure he knows a whole lot of stuff my other doctor (who specialized in geriatrics) doesn't know. He's very savvy and I like him, but he sure is YOUNG. Reminds me that I'm not. Glad you went, better late than never! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. My doctor is 13. I'd never go to a 12 year-old. I like maturity in a medical professional.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I once had a gyno exam by a HOT, and I mean HOT doctor.....so awkward!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh you've just reminded me of when I was in labour and the first doctor who came to see me looked about 12... I didn't want Doogie Howser examining my private bits (luckily for me he didn't hang around long). Good luck with your new doctor!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have girl who is about that age who cleans my teeth. She has a spray tan and asks me what clubs I go to and what movies I have seen. I am like, "Chuck E Cheese, and something with a talking dog. Any other questions?"

    ReplyDelete
  10. I've had my same doc since I was 16. Shes's about 10 years older then me and never allowed to quit or move:)
    Glad you finally went and got things looked after. My experience is the worrying is often worse then the problem:) Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. omgosh, yes. yes they are supposed to be old and wise and smart. Except the sexy man doctors. they can be my age. that's okay. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I prefer the older doctors. The younger ones make me think of Doogie Howser and the theme song immediately starts playing in my head so I'm rather distracted...

    ReplyDelete