Monday, September 03, 2007

What Would Miss Manners Say?

Happy Labor Day!!!!!

So last week I blogged about the funny things that people say, without even knowing it. I had one of those experiences last week and thought I would share. Before I get started with my story, however, I want everyone to know - I promise I am fine. There is nothing seriously wrong and I promise you will all have to put up with me for years to come.

I had a raging respiratory infection (a common side effect of my horrible allergies) and went to my family doctor on Tuesday morning for a round of antibiotics. I had also noticed that while putting on deodorant for the last couple of weeks, my armpit seemed sensative (and I know you were all dying to know about the state of my armpits). Since this is where lymph nodes are located, I figured I better ask about that as well. Now, my family doctor is very thorough and in my opinion somewhat panicky (or adverse to a malpractice lawsuit, take your pick), so he checks everything, does a full blood workup, then wants to send me out to a bevy of specialists to "rule out" anything serious.

So my first trip is to my gynocologist who agrees with me that it's an infected hair folicle, but orders the mammogram anyway because I am going to be forty this week (a whole other discussion). That was on Thursday. On Friday, I had an appointment with an oncologist (otherwise known as a cancer specialist). Now, my experience with doctors has always been that the more specialized they are, the less personality they have. It almost seems that the more medical knowledge is shoved in their minds, the less social skills they have available. This doctor was no exception.

He studies my blood work, inspects my lymph nodes - both in the armpit in question and everywhere else. Then he steps back, looks at me and says in all seriousness, "Well, I'm not impressed."

It was all I could do not to laugh. What a thing to say to someone who is seeing you to make sure they don't have cancer. You're not impressed??????? What is the appropriate answer to that - "Yeah, I'm glad!" or maybe "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

I managed to hold it in until I got into my car to call my worried husband and give him the good news. Then I started laughing. What a nutcase! And I'm absolutely positive he didn't and never would see a thing wrong with what he'd said.

All the same, for the first time in my life, I'm really happy to have disappointed a doctor. :)

- Deadly (but nowhere near dead) DeLeon

17 comments:

Christie Craig said...

Oh Lordie, Jana,
Please, please don't get me started on doctors. LOL. Remember, you can always kill the doctor in one of your books. And Girl, I'm glad you are fine. Get over that alergy attack and take care of your armpits.

Crime Scene Christie

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're okay! But geez Louise, what a thing to say to a patient!

Anonymous said...

Jana, so glad that you're going to be okay but, WTF was up with that doctor's comment?

Faye

Estella said...

Better he said that than sit down and lets discuss this.

Dru said...

Jana,

I'm glad that you are okay. As seeing my fair share of doctors, I agree with your assessment..the more they know, the more I don't want to know them.

Jana DeLeon said...

Hi Christie - I am definitely going to kill a doctor in one of my books.

tori - I have to admit that I was a bit stumped on that one. :)

faye - thanks and if I figure out what is up, I'll repost. (ha)

estella - you have a point. See, there's always that silver lining.

dru - It makes you wonder how well they function in their marriage or with their children. Scary.

Kathy Bacus said...

Thank God you are all right, Jana! I shudder to think what grade that doc got on his bedside manner...! Sheesh.

Hugs on the allergies. I'm similarly afflicted and the last few weeks have been nasty ones on the nasal cavities. Still, I'm not so far gone yet as to be looking forward to the first killing frost. I so don't like cold weather.

Take care of yourself. There's only one 'Deadly DeLeon'.

Jana DeLeon said...

Thanks, Kathy!

Enchanted by Books said...

I'm glad you're ok. I hate going to the doctor. I avoid it at all costs.

Unknown said...

I am glad your OK but your right about doctors, the more they know the less they know if that makes sense. Specialist do not have a bed side manner so to speek. I hate going to a specialist, I alway get mad when I have to go.

Nathalie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am glad that everything is fine but old doctors don't have a lot of ethical understanding of bed-side manners.

Joan said...

I am glad you are alright. I had my share of doctors lately. Even with a fever, horrible cough and not being able to hear out of either ear it took three doctors to get the diagnosis right. Bronchitis and fluid behind the ear. Was in bed most of August. Most of the fluid is gone now.

Anonymous said...

Miss Manners would give him the cold shoulder... who cares what the doctor say!

Martha Lawson said...

Hi Jana,

Glad you are okay!

Anonymous said...

You said: Now, my experience with doctors has always been that the more specialized they are, the less personality they have! OMG that is mean and I am studying medicine!! but I am glad that everything turned to be OK.

Nathalie said...

Don't kill the doctor in your book... doctors are important... I don't know what we would do without them!