Points2Ponder
By Alan P. Scaglone
Worth hanging in for!
So I’ve been needing to find a new primary
care provider(PCP) for about a year now.
My last one treated me in a way that I didn’t
appreciate—so I voted with my choice to not return to their practice.They still call me and remind me that I haven’t been in for my 6 month check up—don’t they know that I know that?
I even told them when I confronted the situation that I can only vote by not spending money on them—so I did!
Needless to say, I have been meaning to find a new PCP all of this year, but… just not that easy.
It’s been a couple of years since I have had a routine physical—so, I thought I would schedule one.
I finally asked my friend Cindy who her PCP was.
You have to know—I got my cardiologist from Cindy; I just recently went to her eye doctor!
And now—you would think that I was medically stalking her!
But… I don’t know this city I live in, and I trust her choices in doctors—so… why not her PCP also?
I made an appointment 2 months ago—took that long to book a late appointment.
I scheduled the physical—we men dread a physical like the ladies dread a gynecological exam.
But… when you become “of a certain age”, you need to be proactive about “things” and have it all checked out—just to be sure that everything’s okay.
My public service announcement for today is: most men who die from prostate cancer die because—they waited too long to have it uncovered—GET CHECKED!
I took time off work to go—I wanted to not be late—if you know me—you know, I am NEVER late to anything!
It’s a character flaw—I just think it’s a matter of respect for the person you are meeting to not be late!
So… my wife laughs that we are always early to everything—even going to a movie—no last minute show ups for me!
I get there 30 minutes early—with my paperwork already filled out.
They bring me back to the room—thank me for choosing them.
I stated that I was glad that this practice focused on adult medical services…
She said “most of our patients are between the ages of 50 to 100!”
“100? Really?” I said.
“Yes—we have several who are way over 100!”
Yikes! I have entered the geriatric ward—and I am only 3 years into the age group! I suddenly felt old!
She tells me to get undressed but keep on my undershorts—doctor will see me in a few minutes.
I disrobe—and I sit on the table and wait.
And wait. And wait…And…wait.
45 minutes later—my new PCP walks in, introduces himself and then says “well, let’s get to it!”
We men know… what “get to it” means!
The dreaded prostate check!
All you ladies can laugh at this moment—because yes—we would rather have our molars removed than go through this.
Maybe it’s the embarrassment; maybe it’s the discomfort, but…
Having those lower parts checked by a doctor is not something any of us like to have done, but… getting “it” checked requires getting it checked!
So… I assume the position—you know what I mean—and my shorts are lowered and—one of the exams is completed.
I stand up and I see that the doctor is almost headed out the door—
And I am still well… partially disrobed, thinking the remainder of the exam has to still happen – you know the “cough” exam!
I look at him and say “don’t you need to check the rest?”
He says “not unless you need me to—I’m okay with not checking!”
I was speechless!
I quickly pulled up my shorts and just stood there—as the doctor left me to move on to his next patient.
He was in that office, from beginning to end—8 minutes—no lie!
Quickest “physical” in my life!
Dumbfounded—I checked out—mentioning that I waited 45 minutes for an 8 minute routine physical.
The nurse said “and with Obamacare—it’s only going to get worse—you will be giving yourself a physical!”
Again—speechless!
I don’t know Cindy—this one may not be a keeper!
I’m Just… Reflecting on -- Life!
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