The small medical clinic was already bustling with activity when I walked in at 8:;00am that morning. I knew that I didn't have my first patient until 8:30am and was looking forward to getting some chart reviews done. Not only was I the only actual Dr. in the clinic but I was the only Dr. for the mental health clinic next door.
The receptionist, a short squat woman who was always frowning, pushed a file at me as I walked by. "Why thank you Vivian, by the way your hair looks lovely." I flashed her my toothiest smile, her expression didn't change. Francess, the young nurse that worked harder than anyone I had ever met caught me as I was turning into my office.
"Dr. Arnold, could you please fit me into your schedule today? I know that I don't have an appointment but I really need to have an exam." Her pretty face was pale and worry was etched into her big green eyes. She was wringing her hands and tapping her foot as well.
"Come in and sit down, I have half an hour before Mr. Smith gets here and he's usually late anyway." I placed my hand on the small of her back and guided her into my office shutting the door behind us. "Sit down and tell me what's going on? Or do we need to go into an exam room?"
"No this is fine, I was taking a shower last night and doing my self exam, you know? Well I am pretty sure that I found a lump and after my mother's cancer scare I would really like you to examine me ASAP." Her cheeks were slightly reddened and I knew that she was nervous. It was general practice to not become a patient of someone that you worked with to avoid awkwardness. We were professionals though and I knew that this was weighing heavily on her.
"Of course. Do you want to do it here or in a room?"