As Amy looked up the number to her gynecologist's office for the purpose of scheduling an appointment, she realized that it had essentially been years since she had an annual exam. The whole annual exam process was something she, like most women, dreaded. However, she knew that the responsible thing to do was call and get on the books for an appointment.
Amy proceeded to call and the receptionist answered and immediately placed her call on hold. Momentarily, Amy considered that was the sign she needed to simply hang up and postpone the event for maybe another year. As that thought ran through her mind, a different woman's voice greeted her; this woman to whom she was now speaking was gentle and patient, opposed to the original person who was abrupt and impatient. The person to whom she was speaking introduced herself as "Emily".
Taken aback for a moment, Amy paused before she began to speak, but Emily was very relaxed and unrushed, allowing Amy to state her business in her own time and way.
Amy proceeded to explain that she was a patient of Dr. Campbell's, but it had been some time since her last visit, and simply wanted to get worked into the schedule for the ever-dreaded annual exam. Emily giggled and agreed that most women seem to say the same thing when they call to schedule their appointment. It was then that Emily asked for Amy's last name and proceeded to find her in the system. After taking down the updated personal insurance information, Emily explained that Dr. Campbell was actually on a mission trip in another country for the next several months, but another physician, Dr. Michelle Schellean, was covering his patient's needs. Though Amy was as comfortable as she would ever be with Dr. Campbell, and while she was not entirely thrilled to be seen by another physician with whom she had no rapport, Amy agreed to be seen by the covering physician.
Once Amy hesitantly agreed to the idea that Dr. Schellean would see her for her medical needs, Emily shared that they had a cancellation for the next day at 4 p.m.; otherwise, the wait list would be about 6 weeks out. Knowing that she'd still feel the same way 6 weeks down the road, Amy decided to just get it over with and take the afternoon appointment for the following day. Emily confirmed the details and the call ended.
The next morning, Amy awakened before the alarm clock and decided to get in the shower and make sure her personal grooming was in order. The whole time, she was dreading the gyno exam. Amy replayed in her mind how awkward she felt in the paper covers waiting for what seemed like forever on the uncomfortable table, while the anxiety began to elevate as she stared at the neatly displayed, sterilized instruments on the cold medical tray. She continued to hear Dr. Campbell's voice, though nice and patient, somewhat authoritative instructing her to relax as he continued to gently open her knees which she involuntarily continued to press together making it nearly impossible to do the exam. Amy never realized that she was closing her legs as she stared at the silly, stupid posters on the ceiling, but Dr. Campbell would have to repeatedly instruct her to open her legs, where she became cognizant that she was involuntarily closing them. She kept thinking to herself that she needed to try to be aware of this and just comply as much as possible to make the time on the table go faster.
Having shaved and trimmed everything she felt like how a proper woman of her age and stature should.
As Amy picked out her attire for the day, she pulled out a matching bra and panty set β slate blue. She always put her undergarments on top of the neatly folded clothing so that Dr. Campbell could see that she had nice taste in foundation garments. In a very subtle way, Amy liked to flirt with the examining physician. However, today's visit was going to be with a woman OB/GYN and this was an entirely new experience for Amy β one she was not certain she really wanted.
All too many times, female gynecologists look more like a "Pat" than a "Patricia" and they come off gruff and manly. Plus, the women at work talk about their annual exams and those who have a female doctor have confirmed that they are less than feminine. βAt least the male gynecologists who she's been examined by in the past were gentle and respectful of the female anatomy. Already, the anxiety was building and Amy had not even left the house for work.
Of course she thought about canceling the appointment, but she knew that it was important for her to be seen, and she made a deal with herself that after the appointment she would treat herself to a shopping event! What better way to reward herself than instant gratification at the mall?
As the day moved along, Amy continued to consider the impending appointment. Since her focus was not where it needed to be, she decided to just pack up and leave for the day a little early. Since everyone else at work was so busy, nobody noticed that she slipped out for the day. Amy ran home and freshened up a little by gently cleansing her nether regions for the appointment. Momentarily, she considered changing her clothes out of work attire and into jeans and a t-shirt, but Amy felt odd going to the doctor in anything but upscale clothing, so she remained in her professional attire.
Amy arrived at the doctor's office and checked in with the receptionist. Emily was the only one in sight and she was just as pleasant and calming in person as she had been on the phone. After the paper work was finished, Emily instructed Amy that Dr. Schellean was running on schedule and she would be called back very soon. While Amy wanted to believe that, since sitting in the waiting room always was an anxiety-builder, she thought that Emily's wait time assessment was skewed.
No more did Amy find a seat and the intake woman was calling her name. In fact, Amy looked around to see if another woman was in motion to go back who would have also had the name "Amy". The reality was, it was she who the woman was summoning back. So, Amy grabbed her purse and confidently proceeded behind the door and to the exam room with the intake woman.
Amy had a great presence about her. She came off very confident and in control even when she wasn't. Amy was articulate and kind, and she had an engaging smile.
The appointment started off routine enough. Once the vitals were taken, Amy expected for the intake woman to instruct her to go behind the curtain and disrobe, cover herself with the paper drapes as best as possible and wait for the doctor. However, none of that happened. Instead, the intake woman explained that Dr. Schellean would be in to talk to her first before the exam.