No woman enjoys getting a pap exam. But, it is a necessary evil every woman should have yearly. So what exactly is a Pap Clinic?
I Can’t Lose My Doctor
I’m lucky to have my own family doctor. There is a serious shortage in BC and so more and more people are having to use walk in clinics. Unfortunately, my doctor recently semi-retired and only works part time now. He is only available 3 days a week, 5 hours each day. This year, I was advised that he will no longer be doing my pap exam and that I needed to book an appointment for their next pap clinic. Now, no woman ever enjoys getting a pap done but at least it was done by my own doctor who I was comfortable with.
I Wonder Who Drew The Short Straw For This Pap Exam!
So, a clinic is where one doctor performs only Paps for the whole day, back to back. Because they run the pap clinic one day a month during a weekday and I had to take time off work. I took the first appointment so I could at least only waste a half day of my allotted vacation to get this done. I arrived early so that there would be plenty of time to put me in a room and get gowned up. The doctor walked in 10 min after my appointment time and I didn’t get shown into the room until quarter after.
It Gets Worse
The doctor began checking that she had everything she needed to complete the exam. Somehow, whoever set up the room failed to put a speculum in the room. I mean how disorganized can you be? So the doctor opens the door just enough to leave the room, with me covered by a slim sheet, lying on my back and my legs in the stir ups. She slipped back in the room and got started. After completing the external exam, we got going. At the end, she realized she was missing a swab and again had to leave the room. This time though, I have the speculum already inserted and locked on my cervix. Not the most comfortable situation to say the least. She quickly came back, completed the last swab and I was on my merry way.
If Only I Was Done
Or so I thought. A few weeks later, I got a call that I had to go back in to have it done again. Excuse me WHAT?!?! According to the receptionist, there was a problem with the labels used. So back to the doctors I had to go and get it done all over again. At least this time, I was able to go at my convenience. So, for those of you that put off getting their Pap, just think of me needing to get 2 done within a month!