I realized today that I never wrote about my 5th exam months ago. My first four are documented here:
https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;msg=1346686
5. Before, I mentioned that I feel more awkward with a gown than without. I think that even in a medical setting, I have this anxiety that I am not supposed to be seen, and that I need to cover up so that I don't irritate the provider. It's some kind of weird shame complex. Anyway, when nude that somehow goes away and I am comfortable.
I was shown into the room and have a new nurse this time. We go through the usual speeches about concerns, of which I have none. She is pretty casual and doesn't discuss the specifics of how the exam works. Maybe she sees that I have been there for a while, or maybe that is just her way. Before walking out she takes out the dreaded paper gown, lays it on the exam table, and says "go ahead and put on the gown, the doctor will be in pretty quickly." I linger a little bit, delaying the whole gown experience. After a moment I undress completely. Since she didn't give instructions I took everything off. In truth, I have been with this doctor long enough that I would have gone nude no matter what they said. Then something new happened - the nurse did a quick knock and stepped back in.
Now, at this practice the doctor doesn't bring in a chaperone or scribe and does everything alone. So my assumption is that the non-providers don't see as much skin as in other practices. This nurse got an eyeful as I was standing nude picking up the gown from the table. She thought she forgot her iPad in my room (she hadn't) and apologized profusely. I was un-phased and told her to check around, offering to help her look. She quickly ducked back out though.
I actually stood there for a minute trying not to laugh. This exam was already a success! Knowing she said the doctor would be there soon, I turned back to the gown and unfolded it, trying to figure out which end was up. I must have been slow, because then the doctor walks in. She glances at me still dressing, throws out a greeting, and starts to wash her hands as usual. I had gotten the gown unfolded, but since I was standing there stark naked, I turned to her and said "do you still want me to put this on?" She looked right at me and replied "it doesn't matter." I always felt like she hated the gown as much as I do.
I commented that "the gown is the only part where I feel undignified" and tossed it on the chair. Then I lay down on the table nude. The exam proceeded as normal. I lay down the whole time. She starts at the toes and works her way up to your head, then you turn over on your stomach and go back down. Nothing bad was found. I turn back over and she sits up the table. I am still nude, and I mentioned a growth on my back. I do not remember what it is called but it was getting larger. She offers to freeze it off, although it is not dangerous. This is my first experience with freezing and I say yes.
She tells me to get dressed and she will be back with the stuff. After she walks out I go to the chair and get my pants on. I wish I had been slower! I didn't even have them zipped before she is back in and takes care of the growth. Then we talk about taking care of that and finish up while I have my shirt off.
Overall, it was my best experience ever. I feel like she has opened the door to nude exams. I am figuring out how to handle the next one to try to go without the gown again. She seemed very fine with it. And that freezing business is magic; that spot looks perfect now.