What’s Up With Men and Doctors?

Throughout the month of November, our colleague Hsien of A Hearty Life fame has been graciously collecting and publishing the thoughts of some of her beloved colleagues, based on a specific medical theme: What Would You Tell Your Doctor?

Our assignment was to write a ficticious letter to our doctor, expressing anything we wanted. While mine was “light-hearted” (get it? A Hearty Life — light-hearted). I crack myself up sometimes…

What I really want to know is what is it with men and doctors?

My better half recently had this excruciatingly painful foot problem (something along the lines of ingrown something or other).

He’d made an appointment, but the doctor could not fit him in for a few days…so what do you think the next logical step would be?

To soak his foot in Epsom Salts! That, my friends, is the definition of adding insult to serious injury.

Quickly I took it upon myself to phone the Dr.’s office to see if there was an emergency number; there was.

I explained to the doctor’s answering machine what the problem was, how bad the pain was and that treatment was needed asap.

Later that day, (a Sunday, no less) the doctor was kind enough to offer to treat hubby.

When I told him (hubby) of this miraculous news…that he could possibly get his foot treated and cured that very afternoon — his response was, I’ll keep the original appointment — I can handle the pain!

This “behavior” is either an attempt to demonstrate to me what a manly man he is, or it’s a bona fide (albeit camouflaged) fear of doctors.

Or, like most men who are ill…they are just big babies.

It’s now 3 days later and the appointment is tonight…I just hope this doctor has lollipops.

Here’s the trick though…if you want your doctor-phobic companion/juvenile to get professional help…you have to make the appointment yourself!