How Old Are You?
I’ve been spending a lot of time in the past two months in hospital rooms and doctors’ offices, and let me tell you, nothing makes me feel my age more than that. Have you seen a doctor lately? Have you noticed how young they’re getting? Honestly, my mom’s had docs who look like they haven’t gotten used to shaving yet. They’re bright-eyed, energetic, eager and/or wary, and young young young.
My cute little orthopedic surgeon whom I affectionately call Baby Doc looks about twelve. The anesthesiologist who put me under once for Baby Doc looked and acted like a college frat boy. My primary care doc is just a few years older than my son, and Mom’s internal med guy might see 25 in a year or two.
And it’s not just the doctors. The nurses and, heavens, the aides! So many kids doing such a big job. When did they get so young? Or, heaven forbid, did I get old??
November 4, 2009 at 9:29 am
Marilyn,
I realized how much older I was than the doctors treating me when I called one Doktari (sp) and had to explain it. I call them all Doogie Howser and they don’t recognize that reference either.
When my Aunt Peg was lying in the hospital suffering from congestive heart failure, she managed to call her sister and taunt her that “her doctors were better looking than Anne’s!” I want to be just like my aunt. I’m going to start flirting with all the young doctors. It can’t make me feel older than they already make me feel. “At your age, it takes a little longer to heal…”
November 5, 2009 at 12:25 pm
LOL, Sandee. Kudos to Aunt Peg.
My pcp says “at your age” sometimes . . . but he says it from across the room, out of striking range. Because even at my age, I still have a pretty good punch.
November 4, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Egads I hate that phrase. “At your age…” Just wait, their days coming. And I am getting older – but not NEARLY as old as I intend to get! I’d like to be around to tell some of those young pups, “See. Now you know how it feels.”
November 5, 2009 at 1:29 pm
That’s a goal to strive for, Linda. You and me both!
November 4, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I’ll have an answer for you if you can tell me why I see my mother’s reflection every time I look in the mirror!
November 5, 2009 at 1:31 pm
If you figure that one out, let me know, because I’m in the same situation.
November 4, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I’m a nurse- thats my day job. I’m 27- but I’ll admit I look younger- and I can’t tell you how many times my oppinion has been discounted because my patient thinks I’m too young to “know my a** from a hole in the ground”! I take it all in stride because I know one day I’m going to be there and I know I’m going to make a horrible patient. My best friend and I are dreading hitting 30. Why is it that your bodies get older but your mind still finds the same things fun and interesting? I see all these new bands and think- Wow! He’s cute!- Only to find out that my oppinion is bordering on pedophilia these days. LOL! Oh well- bring it on! I’ll be the tatted out, crochety, old woman yelling at the teenagers to get away from my beer at Disturbed’s reunion tour.
November 5, 2009 at 10:25 am
Zinny – you make me remember a younger self. My husband was diagnosed with cancer (they found the tumor during a birthday month checkup) at age 30. That whole experience realigned my priorities. I never ONCE whined about getting a year older and 30 and 40 were just blessings, not a number to dread. spw
November 5, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Zinny, my niece is an RN and 27 or so, and she looks and sounds about 15. Fortunately, she works with preemies, so they can’t judge her by her youth.
I like the image of your future self. Hold on to it!
November 4, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Hanging around a hospital will make you feel old, Marilyn.
My doc is 1 month younger than me, and he teases me about it every year around our bds. LOL.
November 5, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I do take satisfaction in the fact that my doctors won’t likely be dying before me! They’re so young, they should outlive me by a lot.