I did go home and cry – but I good cry. A happier cry. A
less scared and nervous cry. As awkward as it was having a doctor talk
throughout a check-up does help. It also helps when they walk you through what
they’re going to do and what’s going on. I had had to little of that in 3
weeks. All I wanted to do was release all my nervous, anxious energy and it
just so happened to fall out of my eyes.
I may be pretty anxious most of the time, but this time I
was just stubborn enough to follow through and I’m sure that’s what more people
need to do. If you have a pap smear, go back for your results. If doctors find
something while you’re seeing them for something else, go for your follow up.
Heck, as I found out it’s enough just to call the clinic with
the right dates and numbers to refer to and you can get an answer over the
phone. I had a nice nurse check my number and my file who read my report number
back to me.
“And then put one N at the end,” she said.
“N?”
“Yes, for normal.”
“Oh, okay. Cool. That’s good news.”
I laughed awkwardly, we exchanged pleasantries and I went
about the rest of my day.
I know it’s hard to not be intimidated by medical stuff. I
know the public health system is frustrating and slow and painful. I know that
you get sick with something new every time you go to the doctors (I managed to
pick up a cold that left we struggling to use my nose for 4 days after my time
waiting around). But it doesn’t matter how hard.
There are so many easy excuses to brush off a check-up and
there are so many circumstances where going to the nearest health centre is
actually a mission and a half – we need to keep ourselves well and those around
us well.
If you have a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a
friend or whoever – support that woman in your left to get herself checked
(and, of course, everyone else!).
(Part Nine: http://commaopinionated.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-gandalf-downstairs-part-nine.html)
No comments:
Post a Comment