Real Doc Accounts

Besides the other stories that I have here in my Real Time Real Doc blog, in the Discussion Forum part of Zity, I’ve posted several detailed accounts of physical examinations I’ve had over the years, and also an early hospitalization. I don’t want to lose track of those, and so here’s a list. Some of you might enjoy reading them, and so I’ve provided links to the posts in Zity.

I was hospitalized at age 8. Even though it was for oral surgery, they sure didn’t care about a kid’s modesty.

My physical at age 15, which included my first genital exam after going through puberty. The whole thing was unexpected for me, and it was an experience I’ll never forget. Here’s a bit of an epilog to that: As I stated in the post, my mother drove me to the appointment and she stayed in the waiting room the whole time of my appointment, which was probably an hour. We left the office together without her talking to the doctor. But I know that the doctor did follow-up with her, because she provided me with the cortisone suppositories to use for the thrombosed hemorrhoids that I was suffering from at the time. She didn’t administer them or instruct me on how to use them, but she gave them to me. I don’t believe that the suppositories helped much. BTW, for my Zity friends, if you ever develop thrombosed hemorrhoids, get them treated promptly. You’ll save yourself a lot of grief later on. I learned the hard way.

My primary care doc is usually thorough, and I know the drill. She recently retired, but I had probably about 20 physicals by her over the years. I met the new one once. Even though I’ve not yet had a physical with her, I’m optimistic it will be a good doctor-patient relationship.

Here’s the account of my prostate biopsy, probably the most humiliating medical procedure I ever had but really important. I might not be here today had I not had the biopsy.

How I developed hemorrhoids. I first developed these at age 15 due to a very strenuous outdoor summer job I had. They were severely painful, and they have compromised my anal health for the rest of my life. A 15 year old with hemorrhoids? My body self-image suffered too.

Photo album of preparing for examinations. It’s not just me in those photos. These are just for fun and aren’t “real time real doc”.

Personal opinion: I believe that just about all routine physical exams for adults, and well-woman gyn visits, should include a genital and rectal exam. If they don’t do it, what doc will? If you are going to all that trouble, why not have it done? Among doctors, there’s an old adage: “If you don’t put your finger in it, then you put your foot in it.”