Growing up, mom always scheduled our doctor visits and usually never told us until the night before or the morning of our physical. I was pretty convinced it meant we would be getting shot(s) given the lack of notice. Often this was the case and I remember looking at those who left exam room and returned to the waiting area trying to guess which one got their shot. Sometimes it seemed obvious, they looked like they had been crying while other times, I thought they don't seem so confident now, or some article of clothing appeared different. Obviously, I had way too much time to ponder, perhaps, to stem my own anxiety cause sooner or later, mom would say," let's go the nurse wants us now."
The walk to the exam room was like no other. Now I was the one being observed by others and likely they were thinking similar thoughts to mine. Once in the room, the nurse would always direct her comments to mom, "she needs to take everything off," which curiously hasn't changed now. At this point, its a smile and a very casual comment like, "let's have you undress, remove everything for the doctor," or handing me a gown with a nod and, "undress completely, the opening goes in the back."
Back then, there was always anxiety when undressing and that moment where I rushed to cover up. It's the same now but I more aware of my exposure and how my body reacts. Goose bumps and sensitive nipples take over and why is the exam table paper so cold on my naked rear? No matter how much I wanted to ignore the crinkling and still do, there was that moment when I had to lay back and turn over exposing my bottom and know something is going to be done. Whether it was a rectal temp, a digital exam, or shot, it was not something I would appreciate and continues to be something that got my attention and still does. "Relax," never worked for me and still is one of those things that I just think is not helpful to hear, especially involving that part of my anatomy.
It's funny how certain things remain ingrained and what we associate to them. Looking back, it makes for fun conversation and recollection, especially as an another exam approaches and I am standing on the scale with my naked butt showing and the nurse commenting, "Well, your scheduled for a full exam." Oh how my heart races along with other parts of me! Somethings never cease!