I think most of our experiences with doctors and dentists are far from fun. Of course, when I am going to get a gynecological exam I am not looking for my doctor to be a stand-up comic, but I do think a bit of levity could make that entire experience more tolerable. In fact, I think all doctors and dentists, while in school, should have to pass a class in humor. I mean I know a lot of people whose blood pressure jumps higher the daily Dow every time they wander into a dentist or physician's office. Certainly a little humor could help to make the visit less likely to promote some kind of cardiovascular distress.
Over the years the doctors I have seen most frequently are Dermatologists. The woman I am now seeing is able to laugh, joke, smile and behave within the realm of "normal". The other Dermatologists I have seen, well let's just say the term "normal" doesn't describe them.
My first experience was with a guy I aptly named, Dr. Mole. I had gone to my family doctor who said that I had what appeared to be precancerous spots on my face and then he referred me to the Dermatologist in his building. Obviously he had never visited that office. The receptionist looked like she used to be part of the Addams family. The office was not bright and open, but dimly lit and felt Hobbit-like. Great...I was nervous enough about the precancerous thing on my face and now I had entered into a prequel for Harry Potter. The Mortica look alike led me into another dimly lit and sparsely furnished examination room. I considered for a brief moment, sucking on the alcohol swabs sitting on the counter just to calm my nerves.
Finally, Dr. Mole moved out of the darkness into the examining room. He had on latex gloves, a hat, long sleeves, and a mask. I could only see two small, dark eyes looking at me. He said nothing, but looked at my face and in a small, tiny voice he said "I must burn these off".
I had no idea how Dr. Mole was going to "burn these off"--a blowtorch? A candle? matches? He then left the room and returned moments later with a large areosol can. Before I could ask questions he was spraying liquid nitrogen on my face until I started tearing up from the pain. He did it twice more before he laid his weapon down.
Dr. Mole then looked at me and said, "Never, never, never go out in the sun. It is bad for you and so you should never go outside when the sun is shining. See you again in one year" and with that he left.
Boy, was that fun--no conversation--a face behind a mask--burned skin and a brief, squeaky lecture about going out into the Sun. Not a problem, Doc if I want to live in the Bat Cave with you. This is Arizona and just in case you haven't noticed, there is a lot of sunshine out there.
I never returned to see Dr. Mole again, but I encountered another fun dermatologist a year later. Can we say "neurotic" and a bit too trigger happy with the liquid nitrogen. I swear I would go in thinking I was okay and leave with 30 burned spots on my face, hands and arms. This woman never laughed or smiled and after one brief surgical procedure yelled at me for bleeding too much. I believe she is now the official Poster child for several Mood Stabilizers.
Look for a future blog about Dentists...you know, the guys/gals who use your chest for a tray as they drill, spray, hammer and ask you questions while putting their gloved fingers in your mouth.
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