I guess that the biggest difference between the many medicals I’d been put through in 18 years and the one that the RAF inflicted on me was a combination of thoroughness and a complete lack of any sensitivity. Even when investigations were going on in the most personal of places I’d never been asked to walk around a hospital with nothing on except one of those awful gowns that don’t do up properly at the back, normally I got to keep my underpants on, but not today and I had a sneaking suspicion that if it hadn’t been for female staff, the gown wouldn’t have been considered necessary. For someone of my, shall we say, generous nature among men I was surprisingly uncomfortable with the idea of being so nearly naked in public.
The one thing I will say for them is that I had the most comprehensive medical of my life even if it did get somewhat intrusive at times. One thing that had annoyed me since the first time it happened when I was a toddler was that regardless of what I or my Mum said was wrong with me doctors always seemed to find an excuse to stick a finger in my bum. It wasn’t until I started training as a nurse that I eventually learned the purpose of this but it was too late to undo those earlier outrages. Conversely the having your balls held while you cough thing didn’t offend at all as I actually knew what that was for and it had been done to me several times by my own doctor.
Walking then running on a treadmill followed by riding an exercise bike followed by having my leg wrenched around in all directions was a new experience and I grimly pretended it didn’t hurt, I really wanted to pass this medical, but I never was that good an actor and the doctor was very good at his job. He was very kind though and even grinned at me when suggesting that I stop pretending and admit that he was hurting me horribly, so I did.
That, I assumed was that then, I’d done my best but nature and rugby had won the day, at least my parents couldn’t blame me for not trying and I had most of my pride intact. On top of that I’d had a free trip to London. Stunned surprise all round then when I got an invitation to RAF Biggin Hill for a weeks assessment for Officer training. That’s the final bit of this little saga and it’s coming soon.
Love
So you were on your way. Did you earn the praise you had thought this would bring? Was he happy, and tell you he was proud of you? I hope so because from the sounds of the exam you earn it.
Glad the Doctor got you to tell him it was hurting you, or he may have had to do it longer.
Be well and happy.
Scottie
I actually got praise for trying which yes, I definitely earned. You’re right. Definitely a good move by the doctor I’d confused bravery with stupidity and it could have got a lot worse.
Ahh, what we willing put ourselves thru to make others love us….sigh. If only we didn’t feel the need to “earn” love from those that should love us without reservation.
Everyday I wake up with my hubby, when I see the happiness in my sons faces when they come by to visit, hear the smile in their voices when the talk to me on the phone, I makes a lie out of all the times I was told that I was unlovable. And heals just another bit of that hurt layer. Everyone that loves you, that cares for you, that is joyful to see you, talk to you also makes a lie of your step dads actions.
It’s quite frightening how we’ll try to be loved isn’t it? I think it’s part of blaming ourselves for everything that’s gone wrong
Well, I’m ignorant and I brought it up (as it were!) and I still don’t know why they all put their fingers up our bums. Do tell!
At a young age it’s a simple check for any bladder deformity. When we’re old codgers it’s the dear old prostate check
I’m soooo glad almost all my medicals has been without any major embarrassment. I’ve heard some horror stories, and I still remember the school physicals. While sitting there waiting in line we did our best to scare the shit of each others by telling about previous (made up, luckily) experiences. Quite fun actually. Nowadays that’ll say.
Love
Daniel
Oh yes school medicals. Another of those moments when they decided that boys didn’t have feelings so it was ok to make them stand in line in just their underpants where the whole school could see, the girls would never have to do that.
It wasn’t easy for the other boys to scare me though, I’d already been through more than they could have imagined, perhaps being such a sickly child did have some advantages
Love
Mac