Routine Physical

Mrs. Myrtle Standich's appointment had been pushed back fifteen minutes by Dr. Richard Dodds the day before said appointment. To quote him, "It's just a routine physical. No need to worry." Mrs. Myrtle Standich, however, could not help but worry. This is what every doctor seems to say and, what's worse, it seems to be what every doctor says just before they give you a most depressing diagnosis. This certainly was the case in regard to her late husband, Mr. Edmund Standich. Needless to say, this fear aroused concerns and pressed Mrs. Myrtle Standich to arrive a half hour earlier than her scheduled appointment.

A nurse deserving of the highest praises, Ms. Loretta Kampf, assisted Mrs. Myrtle Standich in the necessary paper work and then, reccomended a most interesting Ladies Home Journal to read while waiting for Dr. Richard Dodds. Dr. Richard Dodds walked into the room only two minutes later than the decided appointment. He looked reassuring. Mrs. Myrtle Standich felt as if she looked afraid. The joy presented to her from reading the Ladies Home Journal quickly vanished and she feared this would become a factor in her eventual diagnosis.

Dr. Richard Dodds, although late, was thorough and most professional. All phases of the physical were finished in a matter of twenty minutes. This, Dr. Richard Dodds assured was a good sign. Mrs. Myrtle Standich would have liked very much to believe him, but past experience kept her from that. Before leaving, she found herself going through a number of questions about health and healthcare. These questions ranged from what specific symptoms to look for in matters of serious disease to who was right in the proper pronunciation of diabetes; Dr. Richard Dodds (who pronounced it dya-bee-tees), or renowned entertainer Wilford Brimley (who pronounced it dya-bee-tis).

Dr. Richard Dodds was at first taken aback. This was apparent by the nervous laugh that answered Mrs. Myrtle Standich's first five questions. Eventually, all questions were answered with utmost satisfaction. Dr. Richard Dodds assured Mrs. Myrtle Standich that as soon as she felt unease, she should notify him and he would be more than happy to check her and hopefully rest her mind. Also, that the pronunciation of diabetes and any other illness, quote, "is up to whomever is pronouncing it as long as the pronunciation of said illness does not prevent the proper treatment," unquote. Wiser words are seldom ever spoken. Or printed, for that matter.