girlfiend

This morning I had an ob appointment with another doctor from the group practice. The appointment was scheduled at a satellite office that’s more convenient to my house than the downtown office. This satellite office happens to be the same place where I’ve gone to regular doctor’s appointments for the last fifteen years. It was really nice not to have to schlep all the way downtown in rush hour and even nicer to know that I wouldn’t have to worry about parking.

When I walked into the waiting room I saw I was second in line. The woman ahead of me was your typical 40-year-old Main Line bleached blonde wearing too much makeup. She mentioned to the receptionist that she was just there for a second opinion. After a few minutes she was called back. Minutes later it was my turn.

The nurse weighed me (I can’t believe I’ve gained 15 pounds in 16.5 weeks), took my blood pressure (a healthy 102/60), and sent me to the restroom with a plastic cup to pee in. After handing over my specimen I returned to the exam room and opened up my book. In the exam room next door I overheard a doctor talking to the bleached blonde. The room obviously wasn’t soundproofed so I tried not to eavesdrop. Then I heard the initials HPV.

At that point I lost all pretense of trying not to listen and put down my book. The woman had a lot of questions about the diagnosis, if she did indeed have the virus and where she could have gotten the virus. The doctor explained that the virus is transmitted through genital contact. I missed a part of the explanation but overheard that the skin in the vagina is different from the skin of the penis and that it would be difficult to figure out who gave her the virus as it could have been dormant for years. I sat there uncomfortable, yet fascinated, thinking that the Main Line bleached blonde has genital warts.

Explaining that her friend urged her to seek a second opinion, she continued asking questions and he continued to answer. At one point she lowered her voice and I leapt off of my paper covered exam table perch and pushed an empty (sterile, I’m not THAT nosy) specimen cup against the wall so I could better hear what she was saying. I missed it, but overheard the doctor tell her that the initial diagnosis was correct and that she’s in good hands with her current doctor. They wrapped up the appointment and I hopped back up on the exam table.

The door opened. I’d incorrectly assumed that I’d be meeting with a female doctor, but I should have known my appointment would be with the guy I’d just spied on. He introduced himself and we got started. Not much has changed since the last appointment. At 16.5 weeks baby’s heartbeat is normal and my uterus is the size it should be. We talked about the next ultrasound (in about 3.5-4 weeks) and the blood screening tests I needed. I didn’t ask any questions I wouldn’t want someone else to overhear.

Toward the end of the exam, while discussing future appointments, the doctor mentioned that he’s new at the satellite office. Until recently he’s taken his appointments at the main office in town. I casually mentioned that the rooms weren’t so soundproof. His head moved suddenly and he looked me straight in the eye. Understanding what I’d overheard he looked a bit embarrassed and said, “Thanks. I’m going to have to keep that in mind from now on.”