Having visited the same doctor since I was a child I knew inevitably the 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 walk 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."
