I love my doctor

I am re-reading Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral. I don't recall crying so much when I read it the first time but then I think my doctor had me on anti-depressants at that time.  I went off the meds because I felt sad but was unable to cry.  Now I cry at the drop of a hat.  (I collect vintage hats, no wonder I cry at the drop of a hat.  Can't stand to see such charming beauty dumped on the floor, dirty, smashed and forever lost to unappreciative hands.)  There I go digressing again.  The point I was getting to was the author describes a female gynecologist that sounded remarkably like my female gynecologist.  In my book, Dr. Christina Midkiff is one of the most compassionate understanding doctors that ever lived or ever will live.  Not that I have had a lot of doctors in my life but she is tops.

Kris Radish's description of the doctor in her book goes as follows:

"The doctor with the gentle eyes and hands that glide like only a female doctor's hands can glide.  A female doctor who knows what it is like to have objects the size of a toaster oven inserted into a vagina.  A doctor who knows that the soft placing of a hand on a knee or arm or even on the side of a worried face before an examination can make a woman feel safe and protected.  The hands of a doctor that take their time and move slowly with the orchestrated sounds of a female voice.  The assurance and that kind voice of knowing because she has been there, felt that, winced at the exact same moment when something so unnatural moves into a natural place."

I have been to four gynecologist in my adult life.  Three of the four were men.  The first were there strictly for the money.  My annual visits were short and sweet.  He swept in with barely a word, thrust a cold metal object up my vagina and was gone.  The second doctor must have taken his internship with the first.  The third was a real piece of work.  He told me I had a beautiful body and stroked my naked back during an examination.  Needless to say that was the last time I went to that doctor.  I don't think he practices medicine in this area any longer.  I wonder if that is because of his unprofessional behavior or he just retired.  It has been been years.

One day I was complaining to a girlfriend about my experiences with male doctors.  She suggested I give Dr. Christina Midkiff a call.  My friend said Dr. Midkiff actually sat down across from her and discussed her health issues.  She never once felt rushed and always welcomed her talk with her not just as a patient but as a woman friend.  Gee, what a concept.  My first visit to Dr. Midkiff was exactly as promised.  Before the initial examination she sat and talked with me about any concerns I may have.  This kind gentle soul actually seemed to hear my story.  Thus was the beginning of our professional relationship.

One day that relationship changed.  My body was changing faster than my mind could take it all in.  I was going through menopause.  I thought it would be a time of rejoicing.  No more monthly bloody messes, no more PMS.  I had heard all about the hot flashes.  It couldn't be that bad.  I raised two kids, divorced, bought a house and remodeled it alone.  I certainly could handle hot flashes.  What I was not prepared for was the mood swings and the depression.  The PMS was kid stuff.  One morning while driving to work I started crying uncontrollably for no reason.  The tears flooded down my face so hard I had to pull over to the side of the road.  When I was finally able to get to work I called my daughter who was working for Dr. Midkiff at that time.  She got me in to see Dr. Midkiff immediately.  By the time I had gotten to the doctor's office I had finally gotten some control over my emotions.  Wow was that short lived.  When Dr. Midkiff walked through the examination room door I broke into tears once more.  Dr. Midkiff then surprised me by swooping me into her loving arms and held me.  She held on to me as I held on to her until I could once again regain my composure.  She then sat there holding my hands while I apologized for my behavior.  This wonderful woman then reassured me that I was not going crazy.  Besides getting me medical help she gave me her business card and on the back of the card she wrote her beeper number and her private home phone number with instructions to call her anytime night or day.

I have not had to call her for any emergencies but it is reassuring to know that she would be there if I needed her.  Since that day Dr. Christina Midkiff is not only the most wonderful compassionate doctor I have ever had, she is also my friend.  Whenever we meet, whether at her office, at a fund raiser or simply out shopping she always greets me with a warm loving hug.  Not a limp unfeeling hug, but a bear hug that says I am happy to see you, my friend.