Pool_2

"It was in the beginning of my fourth year of medical school. I just finished a stint at Spanish Hospital. We delivered babies... you know, the usual stuff. I was feeling pretty cool. Could do it all. But we never had patients - complete patients - they were CASES in a specific stage to be handled. One day wonders. We never got to know them. Baby to be delivered. Pap smear needs to be done. Woman needs contraception teaching. All of it. But none of it - in continuity. I had just returned to our own turf and was in the main clinic, assigned to gynecologic services. The idea was to follow a few cases from very early to completion or graduation, a continuity thing. Real life. And real patients. You were their doctor. You did it all. It all was what you decided it all ought to be. It was up to you to ask the right questions, counsel, guide, and see any problems through. In that clinic room, on the right, at the end of that long hallway, waiting , for me - she had an appointment in MY NAME. Waiting for me, was my first patient. MY very first real patient. I entered and introduced myself. She said hello doctor as I nearly melted. She stood about five foot three, had beautiful red hair, hair down to her waist... red is wrong... copper like, the light made it glow in rust and blonde hues ... gorgeous gorgeous teeming hair... with cascading wave-like ripples. Her face was angelic. Her name was Nora. She was adorable. I had already assumed a very professional demeanor on entering and struggled to maintain it. Pointing past her - a stupid mistake because she couldn't possibly see my hand touching the examining gown on the table behind her - I indicated that she was to undress for the exam and turned to jot preliminary notes. Date, name, chart number, first visit, the usual stuff, and I settled down a bit, this would be easy. 'How old are you, Nora?' not to be impersonal or cold, turning to engage her.