The doctor sat down and got right to work.

"OK, we're going to start with a quick pap smear. Try to relax and take deep breaths." The doctor pulled open a drawer under the table and pulled out a clear plastic speculum wrapped in a plastic wrapping. He unwrapped the speculum, then took it a small packet of lubricant that was sitting on a tray nearby and squirted some on the end. He used one finger to spread out the lubricant.

When he had the tool ready, he moved closer to my wife's open legs. He reached out with his empty hand and used his fingers to separate Angie's labia, exposing the entrance to her vagina. He took the speculum and slowly started to push it into her. I watched as the entire length of the speculum went in, until his hand was right up against her body.

"A bit of pressure now.." At this point, he moved his thumb to the lever and started to open the tool. "Pressure.. pressure.." He pushed the tool open until three clicks were heard.

The sight was hard to believe. I couldn't imagine what it felt like to have this large plastic tool filling up her vagina, but I looked up at Angie and she seemed like she wasn't in any discomfort, she was just quietly waiting for him to finish.

"We're just using the little plastic brush to be gentle to your cervix this time," the doctor announced. "OK," Angie quietly answered. He picked up a device with a plastic handle and a little broom-shaped tip. He carefully looked into the open speculum and guided the brush to her cervix. He rotated the brush a couple of times, then removed it, and put it into a small vial of liquid on the nearby table.

With that, he took one last look into my wife's open vagina, and then put his thumb back on the level and slowly released it. In one smooth motion, he slid the tool out, then set it on the tray.

The pap smear was done. I wondered what would be next.