“Tyler the physical does include a drug test.” Tyler had expected this, but didn’t have a problem peeing in a cup. Tyler stated as much to Dr Shaw. He had done that before at the paediatricians, and compared to everything else Dr Shaw had done it really didn’t seem like a big deal. “That’s not quite what they require in this case. They asked us to place a catheter, a small tube, into your bladder. Unfortunately it’s not a comfortable process, but it shouldn’t be painful. We’ll also use some numbing gel to make sure of that.” Tyler felt the colour drain from his face. “Does that sound ok Tyler?”

It didn’t sound ok to Tyler, but he knew he had no choice. Even arguing with Dr Shaw would do no good, since it was the school’s instructions she was following. And so he agreed. Tyler lay on his back as Noah brought over a tray full of plastic packages. Noah opened the first one and began wiping his semi-erect penis, the smell of alcohol instantly filling the room. The doctor donned fresh gloves and approached with a syringe. Tyler gratefully noted it didn’t have a needle attached, but was large and filled with what looked like clear lube. “I’m going to put this numbing gel inside your urethra. It may feel a bit strange but it will make the procedure more comfortable.”

The doctor firmly grasped his shaft with a piece of gauze, the scratchy texture making Tyler tense. The tip of the syringe was gently inserted into the tip, and he watched as the gel was slowly pushed in, feeling a tingling and burning travel through his insides. Tyler squirmed slightly, an involuntary response to the sensation, curling his toes and gasping a few sharp breaths. His penis was gently laid onto the drape surrounding his crotch. “Now, we’ll wait for about 5 minutes for that to take effect. While we do, Noah could you take the blood samples please.”

Tyler lay obediently still as Noah changed gloves and approached his left side, wheeling along a new tray. An elastic tourniquet was tied around his bicep and his elbow cleaned with another cold swab. Noah lifted a long and thick needle attached to a long tube. Tyler couldn’t make himself look away, and cried out as the needle was stuck in. “Oh I know it can hurt, but you’re doing great Tyler. Good… Good…” Noah reassured and encouraged the scared teenager while filling up one vial after the next. Finally, he pulled the needle from Tyler and applied pressure to a cotton ball on top.

“Thank you Noah.” The doctor approached the other side of the table while snapping on new gloves. Tyler shrank into the vinyl, looking up at the two towering over him, Noah holding his arm and Dr Shaw unwrapping a long tube. Tyler felt her firm grip on his penis, just as before, and watched as the tip of the tube disappeared quickly into his penis. He jerked, but Dr Shaw’s grip prevented him from moving away, and the tube continued to advance. He could feel Noah rub his arm in support, presumably trying to comfort him, but he could only watch in horror as more and more tube disappeared. “Tyler you’ll feel some pressure as I inflate the balloon inside your bladder.” Tyler did feel a strange pressure, mixed with the burning tingle through his urethra. The doctor tugged at the tube, pulling it out until the pressure in his bladder didn’t allow any more. A bag was attached and finally the process seemed to be over.

“Good job Tyler!” Noah remained cheerful no matter what. The doctor and nurse both disposed of the equipment and washed their hands, leaving Tyler lying on the table thinking about what he had gotten himself into. “Tyler, Noah is going to take these samples to be stored and analysed later at the lab. Why don’t you sit up while we discuss the next steps.”

Tyler sat carefully, worried he might tangle or pull at the tubing coming out of him. The doctor stood by the side of the exam table, facing him. “You’re doing really well, and we’re getting towards the end of the examination. I know you had a rectal exam not too long ago, but we do need to do one again today.” Tyler hung his head, but knew that this would have been coming. With everything else being so thorough, he hadn’t expected to be able to avoid another one. “Tyler have you had an enema before?” Tyler shook his head, not recognising the word. “Well Noah is going to give you a small, sometimes called a fleet enema. It’s some water injected into your rectum to help clear any fecal matter before the exam to let me have better look. It’s not a painful process.”

Tyler was getting tired of being told horrible procedures wouldn’t be painful. They would certainly be uncomfortable and humiliating though. “Do you have any questions before we get started?” Noah slipped back into the room as Tyler shook his head. “Ok Tyler, I’ll leave you with Noah then.” The doctor smiled cheerfully, perfectly contrasting Tyler’s dread. Noah helped position the catheter bag as Tyler lay on his left side, arranging his legs with his knees pulled to his chest, following Noah’s instructions. He caught a glimpse of the enema as Noah prepared it- a long rigid tip, maybe 5 inches, attached to a bottle of clear liquid.

Noah started to speak, although Tyler was trying his best to imagine himself somewhere else. On a beach, or back at home, or on the moon for all he cared. As long as it wasn’t here. Noah’s finger circling his sphincter with icy lubricant brought him right back to reality. “Deep breath now Tyler. In… and out…” Tyler could feel the hard plastic tip gently resting against his tight sphincter. “In… and out” Noah continued, watching Tyler’s anus and waiting for it to relax. “In… and outttttt” on the last breath he inserted the tip to its full length and gently squeezed to let the liquid flow in. Tyler squeezed his eyes closed and curled his toes, feeling cold liquid spread through his insides. The tip was withdrawn as quickly as it had been inserted. “We’ll hold that now for 5 minutes.” Noah cheerfully stated.

Tyler tried to go back to imagining himself on the beach, or his own bed, but he was too focused on squeezing his butt closed to stop anything from leaking. 5 minutes felt like an eternity, but Noah helped him down from the table, carrying his catheter bag as Tyler waddled into the adjoining bathroom. Tyler was grateful for the privacy once Noah left.