I had all of the childhood ailments common to Boomer kids. Fortunately, by the time I was born in 1959, serious diseases like whooping cough, polio, and smallpox had been largely eradicated by vaccinations. But there were less dangerous but unpleasant illnesses like chicken pox, the mumps, and the flu that would require those dreaded trips to the doctor.
It seemed like I caught everything that came through town. So I was a regular customer of Dr. Wendleton.
So, if I had to go to the doctor, I would try to concentrate on the positives.
The biggest plus, of course, was getting the sucker after all of the unpleasantness was behind you. Dr. Wendleton had safety suckers, with a thick string for a handle. I don't know how many kids had unfortunate experiences with cardboard sticks, but you were safe running with a safety sucker!
Another positive was Children's Highlights magazine. Man, that Goofus was always getting into trouble, but he sure had a lot of fun! I guess he might have been one of my early role models. I enjoyed reading the magazines in their thick bolt-down plastic covers.
Then, that nurse would step out and call your name. With reluctance, you dragged yourself out of the chair and headed back to the torture chamber.
But the doctor's office was a fascinating place in itself. All of those metal instruments were just begging to be handled out by a curious child, but I always refrained. I knew the pain that their owner could inflict, and didn't want to give him any excuses to add to it.
Finally, Dr. Wendleton would wander in. He was a pleasant sort who would seem genuinely pained to inform me that I needed a shot. At least he wasn't sadistic about it. No, he was kind and patient. In those days, pediatricians weren't so common in small towns. He was a G.P. who also delivered me at Miami Baptist Hospital, so he truly remembered me from my earliest times.
So, I would go through the exam, feeling that cold stethoscope on my chest, keeping that blasted thermometer in my mouth for an eternity, then getting jabbed in the wazoo with that hated needle.
On the way out, I would collect my reward of a safety sucker, then off to home.
At least I got a day or two off school out of the deal.
Comments (3)
As an adult, having a sucker or reading Highlight's for Children are not reasons to go to the doctor. My fear of needles and finding out what might be wrong in me have kept me away from any kind of doctor for the last 29 years. Yet, I have NEVER missed a day of work from any job I ever had because of illness.
Posted by David S Paleg | October 10, 2007 2:21 AM
Posted on October 10, 2007 02:21
Chetopa,KS was a very small town in the mid 60's.Now it's even smaller.Of course we had only one doctor and was very lucky to have him.He was a no nonsence type of man but I always felt so safe when I had to visit him.There were no jokes or idle conversation.Just a brief smile and then straight to business.I liked that even as a kid.He also still made housecalls which pleased my Grandma.
Posted by Steve | October 10, 2007 10:15 PM
Posted on October 10, 2007 22:15
Oh that dreaded Doctor visits! My fear of doctors and hospitals came from my fear of those dreaded men in white! And yes, they all seemed to be grey haired older gentlemen. Now I also remember when the doctor would make house calls! Some doctors are starting to do this again! I dreaded those big glass syringes that put many a black and blue marks on my fair fanny! (Pardon me) Mostly from me tensing up! I was generally healthy and went to the doctor regularly as a child. Hate the booster shots for all those dreaded diseases. Still got Mumps, Chicken Pox, Measles and Whooping Cough! To this day, I still have a real phobia to anything medical! My first surgery as an adult was a choir, but managed! Never got a sucker? My pediatic doctor was Dr. Clements who passed many years ago! For us males, I think the dreaded hernia check was also feared! The DDS was also a feared visit! Drilling teeth was not fun and novacane injections into the gums was also scary! I was a mess! Lol!
Posted by Rivers End | January 3, 2009 5:14 PM
Posted on January 3, 2009 17:14