Doctors? Maybe Not!

Dear Readers,(of which, as far as I know, you are still only an army of 1), have you been to your family doctor lately? Well, one day last week, I realized that the pain in my side was not caused by my students after all. It was real! So, I made an appointment to visit my friendly, family practitioner. First of all, Dr.Smith, was "Booked. Clearly booked through January, 2010". I could see his PA (not a doctor), however, and get in immediately. (What's wrong with that picture?) Well, I thought, half a doctor is better than nothing, so I made my appointment and showed up yesterday, ready for my diagnosis and an elixir to make me well again. After a brief question/answer period, and before any kind of examination, Half a Doctor, stated that he didn't really know what could be causing that pain. Even though the liver and appendix hide out in that area, he ruled out any concern that they might be malfunctioning. He suggested "gas". "No", I said. "Ladies don't have gas, and being a lady, I certainly have never suffered from any kind of gas related illness. And, the pain is always in the same area. Doesn't gas move around in there?" I got him. "Well", he said, we can do a full panel of blood work, or a sonogram, of course that gets into some bucks, even with health insurance." "I don't have that kind of money right now. It's the Christmas season!" "Well", Half a Doctor, said again, "how about changing your diet up and eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables?" "Hey, I learned that in 4th grade health. How about an exam? Maybe you could feel for something that shouldn't be there?" "Oh, I guess we could do that". He felt around. "Nope, it all feels perfectly normal. I'll get you some dietary pamphlets to take home and read". I felt like I had just spent 20 minutes with the men who stare at goats! Here's what I'm thinking. Doctors don't really know much more than we do. It's all a smoke screen! So, maybe we should just make appointments with each other. We can sit and listen, then poke around a little. Maybe we'll know something, or maybe we won't. Just like the doctors. Or we can just make an appointment with the men who stare at goats, right from the start, and cut out the middle man. I'd rather spend 20 minutes with George Clooney than Half a Doctor, anyway!