day would come that he would retire. The letter in my hand confirmed my
thoughts. I never contemplated all the intimacies that patients and
doctors share until the prospect of finding a new doctor was upon me.
I wasn't having any medical issues, but it was 3 months past my annual
exam. I knew I had to find a new doctor just to make sure nothing was
wrong. I decided to go to another gentlemen I heard about. He was about
50 years old so I felt safe and confident in his abilities.
I'm the last appointment of the day. They are running behind for various
reasons, as most Doctors offices are. Sighing, I looked at my watch...
6pm. I watched several clinic employees walked out and bid goodbyes to
other personnel. It was finally my turn. The nurse came to the waiting
room and called my name. The lone occupant, she didn't have to wonder
who I was.
She took me into a room, handed me some new patient paperwork to fill
out and left. She seemed a bit brisk, almost rude as she told me to
fill it out. I wanted to tell her that I wasn't any happier than she
was to be here so late, but held my tongue. She walked out while I
started on the pile of bureaucratic paperwork that would alert my new
doctor of any previous ailments.
The minutes ticked by slowly while I waited, then the doorknob turned.
The doctor walked in and apologized for such a long delay. He may have
been in his 50's but he had aged very well. Thick black hair covered
his head with a hint of gray at the temples. His dark Caucasian
complexion told me he enjoyed the sun. He towered over my short 5'4"
frame when he extended his hand to shake mine while introducing
himself. He had large hands. I noticed the hair on his knuckles when he
held my smaller hand. Without realizing it my gaze lingered on his hand
a moment.
He pulled away and reached for my papers. Leafing through them he asked
me a few questions before proceeding.
"Unfortunately, I will only be able to have a consultation with you
today."
"What?"
"I can't do your annual examination today because of the time."
"You mean I waited for nothing?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why can't you just do it and get it over with since I'm here?"
"Legally I can't do it without my nurse present due to the possible
legal ramifications."
"Can I sign something saying it's ok?"
"I don't know I have never had this issue before." "I'm willing to sign
a paper saying that I consent to the exam with no one else present. I
just want to get it over with and I sure don't want to wait for 2 hours
on another occasion."
He looked at me and quietly said, "Ok." Handing me a paper I scrawled a
quick note regarding the situation, signed it and returned it to him.
He glanced over it, placed it in my file and closed the folder.
"Please sit on the end of the examination table."
I boosted my butt onto the table. He checked my reflexes then listened
to my heart and felt my neck for lymph nodes then had me lay back. He
raised my top a bit and pressed against my abdomen asking if I felt any
pain. He found a spot that was very sensitive when I yelped.
"When was the last time you had a bowel movement?"
"Ummm, probably 4 days."
"Is this normal for you?"
"Sometimes, but usually I give myself an enema to remedy the problem."
"Ok."
He walked to the desk and pulled open a drawer. Withdrawing a disposable
gown he handed it to me and told me he would step out while I disrobed
and put on the gown with the opening in the front. I had to laugh to
myself when he left because I really didn't see the point of him
leaving since we were the only 2 here and I had signed a waiver
releasing him of any liability.
I did as told then sat back on the examination table again. Muffled
voices in the hall caught my attention. I could tell he was talking to
another man. I wondered if it was another doctor or who it was. I
didn't feel all that uncomfortable with him but knowing there was
another man close by made my skin prickle.
He walked in the room and left the door ajar. "I'm not entirely
comfortable having you sign the waiver. Do you mind if I have one of my
colleagues stand by for the examination?"
"No, I don't mind."
His colleague walked in while I tried to keep the breath from leaving my
lungs. His colleague was a much younger doctor. He introduced us and we
shook hands. I suddenly felt very vulnerable but also very excited. The
stories in penthouse about ‘extraordinary encounters' crossed my mind.
I wondered what kind of images I could conjure up of me with 2 doctors.
After the day I had I was in the frame of mind to push their limits.
The two doctors conferred over my file. The younger doctor told me to
lie back on the table then delicately took hold of each of my ankles,
placing my feet in the stirrups. Instead of feeling embarrassed I felt
brazen. I let my knees come apart exposing myself to them. The doctor
rolled a tray close to the table with the necessary equipment on it.
"You will feel something cool while I slide in the speculum."
The doctor used his fingers to spread my lips then expertly slipped the
speculum into my body. I felt him open it then tighten the screw to
hold it in place. He continued with his examination while the other
doctor took the specimen. He removed the speculum, placing it on the
tray.
"Now you will feel slight pressure while I insert 2 fingers to check
your ovaries."
He stood and slathered KY on his gloved fingers. The other doctor sat
the tray on the desk and returned. His fingers slid inside me and his
other hand pressed on my lower abdomen to continue the exam.
"I think I feel something."
"What is it Doctor?"
"I'm not sure, perhaps if you don't mind I will allow my colleague to
check."
"That's fine, I hope he finds its nothing major."
The younger doctor put on latex gloves and reached for the KY. The older
doctor walked to the desk and waited. He loosed his tie and undid the
top button on his shirt. I caught a glimpse of dark hair on his chest
that matched the hair on his knuckles earlier.