“The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature which distinguishes man from animals.”
Sir William Osler (1849 - 1919)

Similar to the rest of the black men in America, I don’t like to go to the hospital. It’s not a macho thing. I hate the doctor. Because of severe Asthma I went the doctor more between the ages of 1 and 10 then most people have in their whole lives. I have had more perscriptions than a little and can’t have a several over the counter drugs. Since I just came back to work I figured I’d let you know some of the reasons I don’t like doctors.

1) When I was young I had to go in for a check up and part of it required they draw blood. It was VERY, VERY cold that day and as you may or may not know that causes the blood to retreat somewhat from your extremeties…like finger tips. Well this lady didn’t think of that and she kept sticking me in each finger, even the thumb, bewildered that she couldn’t draw any blood. Eventually she ended up tapping the vein in my arm…little kids don’t like getting stuck repeatedly.

2) When I was a little older I got hit by a car. While getting hit is a story in itself, I remember the lady that hit me pacing outside of my room all nervous. I remember having to pee into a container with my family in the room…it was an all around suckfest.

3) Congestion. A victim of asthma has to deal with a lot of congestion. A hospital once prescribed me sudafed. Then on a subsequent visit I was told not to take it anymore cause it was hardening the mucus in my lungs…gross right.

4) I have been prescribed 5 different kinds of inhalers, 4 different kinds of syrups and various pills and such. I don’t like medicine anymore.

5) I once stubbed my toe on a sewing needle…then it broke in half and got lodged in there…I sat in the hospital for 4 hours only to be told that they could cut my toe and take it out without pain killers cause the area was so small or some crap…then they figured they would let it come out naturally…and gave my mother a big bill.

6) Congestion part 2. Since the doctors gave me something that didn’t help…of course there was some discussion amongst the family. My uncle said, “I’ll show you what to do.” then he held me upside down and let the fluid run out of me….gross. (Didn’t happen at a hospital…but because of what they did)

I have more stories, but since I have to leave here are some general everyman reasons:

The wack paper gown that won’t close right.
Random person grabbing my nuts.
That stick they put on your tongue.
The waiting room…then the secondary waiting room.
Crying sick children in the first waiting room.
Overly talkative people who don’t realize I’m sick and not in the mood for conversation in the waiting room.
Horrible waste of a sick day or a day home from school.
Co-Pay.
Growing dependent on whatever drug you’re given then having it run out at the worst time.
Being a smart child in middle school with an inhaler.
etc.