The end of another era

For the last 11 years (already?) I’ve had an annual appointment with the ‘wimmins’ doctor, who always put me in mind of the Swedish Chef from the Muppets. He’s such a nice man and so polite.

My last appointment with him was a week ago. All is well. He’s retiring very soon and will be replaced by a young woman ‘wimmins' doctor. I’ve never had one of those before, so I wonder how we will get on.

How did it go Anji?

..much better than I hoped.

 I had a bus journey and a 15 minute walk to get to the lab, so I drank my litre of water before I set off. I arrived about five minutes before my appointment. There was no queue and the receptionist was friendly and helpful. I went into the waiting room and was just getting my book out when my name was called!

The doctor was very nice and did the first part of the ultrasound scan quite quickly; he then showed me to a toilet - I was so relieved in more ways than one. Then I went in for the internal scan which was a little uncomfortable at first. I asked him questions so keep my mind occupied. He told me that I have a small uterus and was surprised that I had three children. They were all very small when they were born, perhaps it was because of lack of space.  I dressed and went to the waiting room to wait for the results. It had only taken 10 minutes.

I didn’t get too far with my book when my name was called to collect the results. The examination cost 56€70 (£46.80 or $74.09), most of which will be refunded by the social security and my health insurance cover. My gynecologist is just across the road, so I dropped them off there and walked back to the bus station. The bus was just about to leave when I got on it - excellent timing.

I think that the lab must have undergone a few changes since I was last there. Everyone was pleasant, there were no queues and I didn’t have to wait very long at all. Someone told me that most of the private clinics, labs, etc. around here are now owned by a Swedish company.

Pity I didn’t get very long to read my book

Are you ready girls?

Postcards don’t usually find their way onto this blog, but I had to share this one.

“What you must say to a man”

With your seductive gaze
You tug at my heart

Your suit is excellent
You are really elegant

Your certainly know how
To please in a thousand ways

I’m smitten by your beauty
I promise you everything

You know so well how to kiss me
That I can’t go without

With your superb athletic body
You must turn a few heads

I thought these tips might help you to prepare for Valentine’s day.

Click on the card to see a larger version

The night before and the morning after.

While I was in the pharmacy yesterday a woman came in and asked for the morning after pill. The only other time I’d “come into contact” with that pill was when one of Dom’s friends went to the school nurse for it.

The woman was in her mid thirties and I don’t think I’ve seen her in the village before. I hope next time she thinks to use a condom. As well as risking pregnancy she’s in one of the groups most likely to come into contact with the H.I.V. virus.

Women in art

You must watch the video '500 years of women in art'; it really is lovely.

Homework
Your homework for this weekend is to study this. Then spend the rest of your life trying to live up to it – not! I told Rob about it, he said “that couldn’t have been much of a life” but I think he would secretly like to be waited on hand and foot. I also sent Dom a copy to study, she hasn’t replied yet.

The Swedish Chef revisited
Last week was my annual pilgrimage to the Swedish Chef (see here and here). As with all my check ups recently everything was fine. I just have to go back in a year. The only bit that annoys me is that he has a tendency to give out instructions as he’s seeing me to the door. I know I won’t remember things if I don’t write them down; I did remember this time, he said I must have another mammogram in two years time. I don’t have to remember that because I’ve been informed that I shall be receiving an invitation; Lucky me!