Kids Will Make Liars Of You Every Time
California, Children, Doctor/Physician, Los Angeles, Medical Office, Patients, USA | Healthy | June 30, 2019
(My daughter, around three or four years old, is acting increasingly lethargic, so I take her to urgent care. As always, there is a long wait and she steadily gets more and more bored and restless until the doctor finally comes in. The doctor looks at her and then at me.)
Doctor: “Okay, what brings you here tonight?”
Me: “My daughter has become really lethargic.”
(My daughter can’t sit still anymore and gets up.)
Doctor: “Hi, honey. Can you jump around a little for me?”
(My daughter goes wild, pogo-ing around the room.)
Me: “She wasn’t like this at home! I am so sorry I’ve wasted your time.”
Doctor: “Eh, that’s okay. To be honest, I’m a pediatric specialist. I’m just working here to make a little extra money. Most of my patients die. It’s really nice for me to see a healthy kid.”
(We shook hands and he walked out. This was almost 20 years ago, and I’ve never forgotten how quickly my embarrassment was replaced with sadness.)
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