Doctors

This is one of the most gorgeous of all the fall days we've had so far – sure wish I felt like being outside enjoying it! Sadly, though, either my fall allergies have “kicked it up” a notch, or I'm trying to come down with a cold. Either way, my sinuses feel like someone's trying to drive a truck through them!

And before Mom says anything – yes, I tried some cold medicine. It didn't do any good. It's that funky sinus pressure that kind of makes the inside of my head spin when I try to move. Love it. We walked at the indoor track this morning – it's a 1/16^th mile oval......by the time I finished a half mile walk, I was really starting to feel dizzy! Too many curves.

As a kid, I didn't go to the doctor much. It just wasn't done. When I would get sick – usually some form of the flu – we would come to town so I could see Dr. Staton. As with so many doctors in that time frame, Dr. Staton not only had his own office but also a small hospital. It didn't seem to matter what time we arrived, he was always there. The routine fix for whatever ailed me was a shot of penicillen.....and it wasn't given in the arm. Usually I did get a nickel to cry with.

I remember before starting school that there was a big push for vaccinations. I don't know who initiated it, but I remember we got a series of vaccinations for diphtheria, whooping cough (which I'd already had by then), and smallpox. These were given over a period of three visits – I believe the parents got to choose which visit the smallpox vaccination was given.

Anyway, I distinctly remember going through what seemed like really long lines in the Bogard School gym to receive the first two of the series-of-three shots. The gym was open and there was no privacy, so you knew who cried and who didn't. The last of the three shots were given at a doctor's office in Carrollton. I vaguely remember that we were in the doctor's office at the same time as the Hart boys for those last shots. I was glad when they were over.

I think I was three or so when polio shots became available. Again, vague memories – this time of going to a doctor in Braymer (and I know we went there when I was very, very young) and taking my two cousins so all three of us could get the vaccinations. If I was three, then my (boy) cousins would have been 12 and 14 – I'm told that they were a bit embarrassed that I handled the shot better than they did!

I was never a fan of Dr. Staton. I felt like he was gruff and downright mean. Of course, the fact that I got a shot in my tush every time I saw him probably had something to do with that.

It was so much nicer when we started seeing Dr. Hansen in Hale by the time I was in junior high. I'm not sure why we changed. But Dr. Hansen was nice and conversant, and he had a daughter my age. When he did my physical for college, we had a nice visit. Mom and Dad weren't sure he actually did anything besides take my temperature and listen to my heart before declaring me healthy – but we had a really nice recap of how the Kansas City Royals were doing that summer. Dr. Hansen knew we were baseball fans.

Many years later when the kids and I were visiting Mom and Dad one summer, I came down with poison ivy. All over. Dad got tired of my being grumpy, so he took me to Dr. Hansen for a shot. I got my shot, along with some wonderful reminiscences by Dr. Hansen about my grandfather.

Going to the doctor has certainly changed over the years – but, believe me, I'm still not a fan!