What an exciting trip and enjoy!
I had almost forgotten my own cowardly doctor story until last night reading this thread again. Selective memory, I'm sure!
I had pain in the back of my leg behind the knee. I was scheduled for my bladder surgery at Vanderbilt the following week (300 miles away) so I went to my local doctor to check that it wasn't a small blood clot. He had two interns training with him and sent them in first to practice their "patient interview". I explained my situation and upcoming bladder cancer surgery and my concerns. They listened closely, took notes and left.
Enter Dr. X (as in ex-doctor).
Paraphrasing his first comment... "You have pain in your leg, I can give you something for that."
Me (to myself): "Shouldn't we know what THAT is first?" (I am a terrible patient and almost always refuse any meds.)
Doc: Going on and on about it's probably a Baker's cyst, no big deal, ... can give me a Rx.
Me: "Did the other doctors tell you I have bladder cancer?"
Doc: (Eyes downcast) Yes (quickly changing subject). I am sending you for an ultrasound on your leg. Yada yada... (Would not look me in the eye.)
He went out, came back in with the ultrasound order, then left for me to dress saying nothing. As I exited he was sitting in his office at his desk, glanced up then back down, not a word about hoping my surgery goes well, or even acknowledging me.
And yes, Scot, that made me feel angry. I guess I felt more trivialized than anything because I had gone to him several times over the past couple of years (nothing really serious... cold, tonsillitis, etc.). I was floored by his lack of empathy or concern. And, you're right, I don't care why he was like that. It didn't make his behavior any less offensive.
But, I don't seem to be able to stay angry for long, but that was the LAST time I saw Dr. X, and I have steered several people away from him and his dangerously overzealous prescription pad. End of THAT story and doctor-patient relationship!
ENJOY MEXICO!!!