Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Lollipops for everyone

I wonder if it means something that Doug always gives me either the very first or very last appointment of the day. Alex came with me because she had free time - it was just coincidence that she has a horrible cold. When she coughs she puts her hand out on the wall like she needs it to hold her up.

After we got there, Al coughed while Doug was talking to me and he shoved a lollipop in her face and told her to be quiet. She giggled and gave me a look that meant, "Ha ha, I already got one and you didn't." Little shit. I showed Doug my bruises. He asked if I remembered how I got any of them. I knew how I got one, and Alex thought she knew about two others.

Doug asked about my eating these days and which vitamins I'm taking. He felt up my neck and under my arms and my stomach. He frowned and put his feet up on his desk. Shrugged. Unwrapped his own lollipop, held it up towards Alex and "cheers!" Then he told me it seems like I've just had a clumsy run for the last couple weeks. There's no point in going crazy doing lots of blood tests when there's no good reason for them. Doug said giving me a blood test would add another bruise.

I asked how he knew I don't have cancer. He pointed at me. "I told you not to google! No lollipop for you!" Then Doug put his feet down and leaned forward. "You don't have any other symptoms. I checked. You don't have leukemia Sam. Maybe you're just becoming clumsy in your old age."

Alex and he sat there sucking their lollipops. I sat there wondering if he was serious about not giving me one as punishment for googling. Alex coughed. Doug gave her a second lollipop, told her it was "another one for the road." She giggled again, then coughed some more. Doug asked Alex if he could listen to her chest and back. He told her afterwards it's just a bad cold, and to wash her hands a lot. Then told me she doesn't have cancer either. "I'm not paranoid. I'm not a hypochondriac." Doug nodded, "Do you think you might suffer from hypochondria?" Alex giggled. 

I walked out. I heard Doug and Alex walk down the hall behind me to the reception area. When I reached the front door, I opened and leaned against it waiting for Alex. She and Doug got to the door and Doug said goodbye to us. Held his hand out to me to shake. I shook. When I took my hand away there was a lollipop.

6 comments:

ng said...

Sam, I'm a long time reader but this is my first time commenting. I just wanted to tell you that you have a way with words - l love reading your posts :)

Mizasiwa said...

well im glad you dont have to do any blood tests - and good on you with carving out time for Josh this summer, I cant wait to hear what he decides on ;-)

Abby said...

He gives you the first and last appointments of the day so that he can spend more time with you. He won't be running late if it's the first appointment (and he knows you'll be on time), and he won't be rushing to the next patient if it's the last.

Very glad you don't have leukemia! And also that the level of your health care has just rocketed up so many notches.

Nina said...

hooray for no cancer!

OTRgirl said...

He sounds like a wonderful doctor.

BTW: I love how you told Josh about giving him a weekend with you. Really creative presentation. It'll be fun to hear what you do together.

Yankee, Transferred said...

I was going to ask you if you had moved any heavy boxes or stacks of books lately. Both of those activities have caused bruises on my inner arms that I was unaware of for a couple of days...and then I looked like someone who had been shooting up.

Glad you don't have cancer. (I wasn't worried-I stay away from The Google when I'm sick.) Glad you have Doug.