Sit here in your paper gown…

I have the BEST doctor ever!  I swear.  I know that not everyone can say this, but I can.  Dr. Dilley rocks!  
I have been her patient for about seven years now, and have to drive an hour to get to her office.  Totally worth it.  Totally….
I first met her when I was referred to her former partner, and was scheduled with  her accidentally.  No big deal, needed a check up and figured all doctors could do that…..didn’t even consider it an issue (I am a nurse, so I get that this happens).   I changed into my paper gown, ass hanging out, and waited in the room that always seems too cold.  Thankfully, it was a short wait.
And, in walks the doctor….holy cow, “is she even 15 yet?” Is all I can think.  Now, I know everyone starts somewhere, but I was not sure she was old enough to be a doc; well, at least, maybe not my doctor.  She was amazing.
Get this… she sat and talked to me—and LISTENED.  She never poo-poo-ed me (which happens a lot as a nurse—we have self diagnosis issues, I am told) and she was able to support all of her treatment ideas with actual studies.  And, she easily fielded my questions.  The best part?  SHE ASKED ME WHAT I THOUGHT.  WOW!!! 
So, since that day, she is my doctor.  Although, today at my yearly check up, in my paper gown freezing off my rear, I briefly felt that initial “holy cow.”
She hasn’t aged a bit.  She is still 15 and I am now 7 years older.  Which she, kindly, drove home as she was discussing the pain in my thumb is a “usual site for arthritis.” And, I am “nearing an age for annual mammograms.” I should also start exercising (heard this before, but…), not for weight loss, but because as we “near menopause our muscle mass begins to decline” and those who exercise fair better.  Seriously????  I felt pretty good walking in (except my lawyer called me right before and jacked up my blood pressure), but nearly begged for a walker going out!
I still consider myself young (teens during the 80’s), and often forget my age –not because of dementia, but because I don’t think old.  Yet, I got a solid dose of reality with the visit. 
I still love my doctor, and will drive forever to see her, because she still sat down, talked, listened and asked.  And, she still reads those studies.  She cares.  And, because she does –an apparently I am getting older—I guess I will take the advise.  DAMN IT.