Today I laughed when I found out a doctor made a mistake with me.  Even though the error caused me some unnecessary concern, it’s funny nonetheless.

Today, I saw my PCP for a pap smear.  It’s been three years which seems like a long time, but some of the guidelines for

You're funny.

their frequency have changed when you’ve been with the same person for a long period of time.

I can’t say I wasn’t nervous about the exam.  When I was at the ER on Friday (when a got a diagnosis of pneumonia), the resident doctor also insisted on doing a pelvic exam because of my abdominal pain.  It’s never good when a doctor, such as this doctor, says “I’m not sure what I’m looking at here.”  The attending doctor came in and all I heard was HPV.  The resident doctor went on to tell me there was evidence of significant cell changes on my cervix.

“What did I hear about HPV?”

“Well, it looks like the changes that appear with HPV or HSV”

“Like an STD?”

“They can be dormant”

“For how long?”

“You also show evidence of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.”

“What?  Two STDs?  I have a pap scheduled with my PCP for Tuesday.”

“Be sure to go to that appointment and talk with your doctor.  In the meantime, we are treating you aggressively as if you have PID.”

I really didn’t get that worked up about it.  I have a super-mega-unfounded fear of STDs but remained relatively calm.  When I told my husband, he first worried I would have cancer and die.  His second worry was that I’d think he had been unfaithful and gave me an STD.

After everything I’ve been through medically, I know I can handle anything.  Even an STD.

I let Dr. PCP know all these details.  She first examined me for any exterior vaginal skin changes that could make the resident doctor suspect something.  She saw nothing.  She completed my pap smear and let me know she saw nothing abnormal.

“Was it a resident doctor?”

“Yes.”

“Did he use a speculum like I am?”

“I think so but it felt bigger and more uncomfortable than yours.”

“You know what that doctor was looking at?  The underside of your bladder.  He needs a few more pelvic exams under his belt and I’m going to call him and let him know.”

We had a laugh and I had some sighs of relief as she continued to let me know that she saw nothing out of the ordinary and the long list of STDs they tested me for in the ER all came back negative.

I just think it’s humorous that as a 36 year old woman, I looked like someone who might have not one but two STDs.  : – )

It’s a nice reminder that doctors can be very, very wrong some times.

Just like anyone else.
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