My mother always took me to the doctor until I was 12 or so. Until maybe age 10 she would come into the room and watch, answer questions, and comment. I had a female pediatrician for a couple of years. By the time I was 12 I was allowed to go into the exam room alone; mom would wait in the reception area until the end of my exam, when the doctor would often call her in to discuss the results and my overall health. By then I would be back in my street clothes ready to go home. From 12 on, I would see the doc alone, riding to and from the office on my bike. His office was across the street from my school. If there was a question or some kind of orders or prescription, he would phone her with the information.
My dad was present in the room only once ever. I was 7 or 8 and one night before bed I went to pee and my urine was the dark brown color of blood. Our pediatrician sent me to a clinic downtown for tests and evaluation the next day. My dad took me. I think he knew it would involve needles and other invasive things, as well as having to be naked in front of strange adults. He stayed the entire time. When we arrived, we were shown to an examining room with a bed against one wall. On the table next to it was an array of syringes and needles - big glass syringes and needles that looked a yard long. I had to undress completely; I don't remember if I was given a gown; possibly, although everything concerning naked children was more casual in those days, and doctors were gods, You did what you were told.
I was very brave for the blood draw, also I didn't want to embarrass my dad. I think they filled two or three of the syringes from my arm. There was also an injection of dye. While I was relaxing afterwards, I was given an enormous glass of water to drink. In a little while I had to pee really bad. Instead of going to the bathroom, my dad was given a large beaker and told to have me pee into it. The nurse left. I got out of bed and stood next too it, my gown pulled up to my chest. My dad held the beaker in front of my penis while I let it all out. Then the nurse returned and retrieved the beaker. Gown back on and back into bed, for awhile.
The tests ended in another room with a regular exam table in the center, me naked on my belly, the doc, two nurses and my dad there, They took my temperature in my butt, even though my dad said I was old enough to have it in my mouth at home. Then I had to roll on my side (if I remember correctly) and the doc slipped his very slippery finger into me. He told my dad “We'll do the rectal exam now” and me to breathe slow and relax. Didn't;t take very long but felt strange in a way that lingered for quite awhile. Roll over on my back so he could feel my belly and lower down. Asked me if I ever had an enema. I said yes, at home sometimes. He said, “Well, this will be like an enema. It's called a suppository. It will make you go. When you feel you have to go, tell us.” The nurses held my legs up while he put the thing inside me. After a little while I started to get a really strong urge to have a BM. They told me to raise up on my elbows while the nurses supported my back, someone called a frog walk. I could barely hold it back when someone slide a metal pan under my upraised bottom and told me not to hold back. Well I pooped this enormous hard stool in the pan with an audible plop. The doctor wiped my bottom and I was allowed to lay back down and relax.
I don't remember what happened after that, except the ice cream cone on the way home and a new model airplane the next day for being such a good, brave boy. The tests and exams showed I had a kidney infection. It was cured by twice-weekly penicillin shots in my bottom for the next month. The infection never came back. I will never forget how it was diagnosed, and how good it was to have my dad there instead of my mom.