Well......I would never have anticipated what happened to me today (here in the UK especially)...never in a million years.
Background: After the shock of being diagnosed with bowel cancer - needing a serious operation (but the great news for me is that I am 90% + likely to make a full recovery) - things have moved at an amazing pace during the last 3 months. I must praise our NHS.....but it is not without its faults.
Last week, I received a letter that I had an appointment (Pre - Op) with the Senior Anaesthetist - to talk me through what would happen before / during / after the operation (which will be on April 25th). I saw the Consultant Surgeon 2 weeks ago. Today's appointment was at 11.30am. Being a very good patient.....I arrived in good time at 10.50am. Good job I did. There was consternation in the reception area. Apparently I should have been there at 10.15am to see two nurses who would perform a whole battery of tests and procedures on me. Well, I am meticulous about planning (my wife even more so & she was with me). We assured the receptionist that I had only received a letter (and follow up emails / texts) about the 11.30am appointment. I even showed them the texts / emails on my 'phone. As I had to drive 20 miles to the hospital, I explained, I certainly would not ignore such an important earlier appointment - why would I???
They seemed unconvinced......eventually someone grovellingly appeared with a letter apologising profusely that it somehow had not been posted to me......(but it was unclear whose error it was). So then they went into overdrive trying to find nurses who could fit all of my examinations and procedures into c.45 mins. It was crazy....rushed in to be weighed / measured (but only had to take my shoes off). At the same time, another nurse was firing questions at me about my medical history. This continued whie they did a blood test. I hate blood tests.....it was not great for me (still being simultaneously questioned about my medical history!!!) as they needed 5 attempts to succeed. I tried to be stoic, with my wife in attendance.
I know I had to have an ECG and some kind of 'lung capacity' test and some swabs (checking for MRSA)...including 'one from a delicate area' (anus). But.....they wanted me to change into a wretched gown. No cubicle was free. What the heck.....I simply said,'Look..to save time....would it help if I just stripped down to my underpants?' They seemed confused and one nurse went off to check. They then said, well it was OK if I didn't mind and consented. I wanted to get on and get out!!! Hahaha. So, I just stripped off in front of two nurses and my wife (she was bemused and trying not to laugh). They did my BP (probably high after the stress of the blood test!!) and then the ECG....with pads on my chest, ankles, wrists, near groin area. I was not self - conscious like I was when I was a kid. Another nurse did the swabs, apologising for the fact that the last one had to be from the anus. At least she did that behind a screen. I had to lower my briefs, lean forwards and part my butt cheeks. The swab itself was over in seconds. I was then allowed to get dressed...then..more health questions.
Similar (a lot of talk) with the anaesthetist. But, she wanted to steth me. I had not been steth'd for YEARS! Wow. I simply took of my shirt, without being asked. It felt great. Hard to describe. Overall, the most I have been undressed for an exam since I was a kid. A bizarre day!!!