When I was a growing up, I wanted to be Hawkeye Pierce.
Now, this was odd for a couple reasons: 1. I’m a girl, and 2. The girl hero of the 70s was Mary Tyler Moore.
I didn’t really want to be a doctor, either. But I so admired his work ethic, his wordplay, his humor, his dedication, his compassion. And I wished to become that kind of person. What I didn’t know then (besides the fact that there sure is a lot of liberal crap in the later shows) was that doctors like Hawkeye are not only exceptional, they are the exception.
I’ve had my fill of M.D.s these past few years. So far: thirteen; four of whom were so wonderful I was tempted to take P.J. O’Rourke’s advice about plumbers in Vermont in the winter (“Marry one if you have to”) and apply it to them, just so I could keep all that great medical care in the family.
Of course, that leaves nine who were utter assjacks. They were more inclined to shove me into a box of carefully constructed prejudice (“It’s in her head — stupid woman”). Individually and collectively, they put me through hell.
Met Number 12 Monday, and I confess I greeted him with, “I don’t much care for doctors,” — which: imagine that!, he found less than endearing. Which is why I moved on to Number 13 Tuesday.
(Eh, sue me. I’ve been watching a lot of Deadwood lately, and am starting to talk like the characters.)
What do I expect? to be taken seriously; to have someone who’ll let me explain what’s going on with me (since I am, after all, the expert on that subject), ask questions that prove they’ve been paying attention, and then discuss treatment in a matter lacking condescension and/or disbelief.
“First, do no harm…” — not, sadly, part of the Hippocratic Oath (though I think it was in the “Deleted Scenes” on the DVD). But it should be.
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That’s funny, that’s *exactly* how I greet every dr who has ever touched my children or myself. We keep the ones that replied, “me neither”.
I don’t need God to do my medical care. That’s not a statement of faith, it’s a jab at the enormous ego that usually comes in the room with a medical person. I need someone who, when I come in with a slab of paper containing my internet research and questions, doesn’t roll their eyes, but listens or even argues with me. I’m willing to proved wrong, I just need to know that they can.
I hope you find #13 is good one.
So …. you’re basically telling us it’s all in your head.
I’ve had really good doctor experiences overall — though I did tell my son’s neurologist (a few years ago) to get off his ass, walk across the hospital, and get my son’s results. Being a lawyer might help too.
And seriously… good luck with #13.
Its funny I have been lucky having had merely a handful of medical dudes I would call distasteful. One told me I’d never hunt deer again. I sent him a photo of me with the 8 point buck I shot to prove that he was wrong. The Navy docs I have met were pretty good guys and girls. The latest I met yesterday. First off hottie. Secondly very inquisitive which shows he has an interest in his patients. Good visit, topped off by getting a Tetnus booster. The corpsman who gave it to me did a good job which I complimented him for it. He grinned (kid was like 20 years old) and said it’ll hurt tomorrow. And it does. ICK!
Doctors just aren’t used to being questioned. Boomers and WW2 gen and older just followed orders usually. I’ve got three degrees and can put 2 and 2 together so I want my doctor to talk me like an adult — and a source of good info. My wife’s first OB (for our first two kids) was great… we’d talk politics and med-mal stuff… great guy.
Wanks, did the doctors write “difficult” in your chart?:-)
Stephanie, with the military doctors, I’ll just about bet they’re not in the field for the money, but for the experience and the patriotism that comes with wanting to help the military and their families. i.e.: A higher calling than just greenbacks.
I’ve known too many people to end up worse because they went to a doctor. It is hard to find a good one, so good luck in your quest, Wanks.
Sorry Floyd, but if you weren’t an attorney, your degrees would be closer to 98.6.
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