I actually got my temp taken rectally until 3rd grade I think. I missed it and began to sneak the thermometer into my bedroom early in the morning or late at night when I was about 12.
At 14 or 15 after a dr s appointment, the first one I recall going in alone without a parent, I told my stepfather that my Dr had told me to track my temperature for the summer, but that i had to do it rectally. I also added that he'd ordered a mineral oil enema and a Fleet for that night. I'd always wanted to try mineral oil, and figured on having a friend use those on me.
We went to the pharmacy, where I was kind of embarrassed when loudly asked a clerk for the items. On the way home he mentioned that he'd probably have to help with the enemas. I didn't want that at all.
As soon as we got home, he surprised me by coming in my room, where I'd taken the thermometer and enemas hoping he'd forget about them. He asked me a bit later if Id checked my temp yet. When I said no, he offered to assist with that as well. I tried the say I didn't, but he decided it would be better. He also gave me those enemas that night which I really liked.
To my surprise, I did enjoy him taking my temp most days for over a month. I continued to get rectaltemps occasionally, when I stayed home from school, he took it orally at first, sometimes I would insist that it wasn't right and hint that 'we' might have to do it 'the other way'. Sometimes we did. I still can still see him entering my room with that green case that held the rectal thermometer in one hand, and a large tube of KY in the other (I d had him buy that when I noticed it in my dr s office.) He asked more than once if I wanted to do it myself. I usually told him, it was easier since he was here.
Pleasant memories