Visiting the Doctor

I used to hate going to see the doctor when I was a kid. There were two doctors; they were a married Irish couple and their surgery was a big red brick house, which they lived in. The entrance led into a dingy corridor with a door at the end of it that had a small hatch just big enough for the receptionist’s whole face to be visible. Off to the right was a small waiting room with a dozen or so bright red chairs placed around the wall, in a square.

Above the waiting room door were two red lights, one for each doctor. A button on each of the doctors' desks would activate their individual light and also sound a very loud buzzer, thus summoning in the next patient. You would have to try to memorise all the people who were there before you in order to know when it was your turn. They did upgrade to a system based on numbered lollipop sticks but it was no better as you had no idea what number anyone else had. The waiting room would be completely silent except for an occasional muffled cough from someone desperately trying to suppress it. If people absolutely had to communicate they would do it in a whisper, one decibel higher than miming. I don’t know what it was about waiting rooms in those days that made people terrified of making noise.

Both doctors smoked like chimneys and there was always a smouldering fag in an overflowing ashtray on the desk when you finally got into the consulting room. No matter what ailment you went in with, its diagnosis always required a stethoscope being placed on your chest and back, followed by a brief jotting down of notes. The remedy always seemed to be a bottle of thick, pink, syrupy medicine, which, although very sweet, left a very bitter taste in the mouth.

Going to the doctors is a much more pleasant experience these days, with bright, airy waiting rooms and patients happily chatting away to one another while waiting for their names to be called out. You do have to make an appointment to see a doctor now though, rather than just turn up as and when you feel ill; contrary to what one would expect, that practice only seems to considerably increase the waiting time. I suppose that’s the price of progress; having people just turning up unexpectedly is a very old fashioned way of doing things and, after all, it’s no more than common courtesy to let them know two weeks in advance of when you intend to be sick.
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Comments (66)

How are you doing, wen?
Dr. Har,
I think you may have to prescribe more (whispers into doctor's ear) to me, as I appear to have contracted acute symptoms of (whispers again into doctor's ear) since (doctor whispers I to patient's ear)
Hi, string, I'm quite fond of you, too. hug
Harbal, I finished the treatments on the brain cancer, and on the 22nd of this month I start the 6 week treatments on lung.

I am in good spirits and feeling ok.

Thank you for your support. handshake
Molly, I think the practice nurse is beginning to have concerns regarding the doctor patient relationship here. Perhaps a home visit would be more appropriate. hmmm
Miss Mimi my bedtime is tomorrow today rolling on the floor laughing . I'm a night owl peace. An I tell my doc everything. He says it's nice to know someone who can understand what's wrong inside ones-self and says I need ......... peace . It's amazing what' one learns along life's journey. teddybear
Dr Har,
You are indeed one of a dying breed.
A doctor who will do house calls to administer life-giving injections bowing
If support and good wishes are worth anything at all, wen, you have more than enough here to see you through this. hug
I'm prepared to go to whatever lengths I'm capable of in order to sort you out, molly. Well just have to hope it's enough.
Dr Har,
If it doesn't, much and all as I complained, I may just have to change to Dr Mimi.
I saw no significant increase in symptoms when she was examining me.
I can't afford to go on losing patients at this rate. uh oh
Har, if you do your job properly, you'll be inundated with clients,
Funny blog Harbal.

I must have one of those old fashioned doctors then as you dont make appointments you just turn up.
Then he regales me with high falootant medical words and I come out wonder what I actually went in for....confused

Hope you dont have reason to visit him for a long time to come wine

Wen..great to see you here...wink
Apart from a failed attempt to make a satisfactory appointment twelve months or so ago, I have had no contact with my doctor for years, Dee. It's just too much hassle.
Then I'm happy for your good health.

I'd offer you a drink to toast but apparently I have a problem with itroll eyes

Must go see my doc laugh
I haven't been to a Mexican doctor, but the Indian doctors back in the USA are nice when you can understand them.
Considering the number of Indian doctors in the UK, Miguel, it's very surprising that I have never had one as my GP.
Just the one won't hurt, dee. wine
For mollybaby.

Inthe laugh

I had forgotten about that song thumbs up
I miss that pink stuff.

In thought there was an old age where humans could speak.

and when you entered a place like this, you asked a nice question, who is last before me,
an individual would wave and you would know the rest of the line ...
I seldom go to the doctor and I'm not a very good patient anyway.

I used to have a very good man doctor but...like all good things...he came to an end.

Since he has been replaced by a young woman doctor I never go.
I normally use self remedies anyway.

Here you need to make an appointment at the medical center where there are about 10 doctors on duty but you always see the same one you've been allocated to.
Quite good service really...for free!
It's a shame about your doctor coming to an end, daniela, I hope you didn't play any part in his demise. uh oh
Hello Merc. wave

I wish I could say something pertinent to your situation with the doctor but it's a bit out of my area of understanding. So I'll just say it's always nice to see you. hug
There's a a church in Rome,Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini with a sign that says "As you are, we once were. As we are, you shall be."

For more information, check with local doctor.. just "saying" ....

Harbal wave
Bogart, The entrance to the grounds of a church near where I live has a recess in its wall which contains three skulls behind a metal grill. There is an inscription that reads; "Today for me, tomorrow for thee". A bit more succinct than your example but basically the same message.
wave

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