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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Sometimes the weaker ones will panic.

Mickey (Woody Allen): "I got the classic symptoms of a brain tumor."
Gail (Julie Kavner): "Two months ago, it was a malignant melanoma."
Mickey: "The sudden appearance of a black spot on my back?"
Gail: "It was on your shirt."
Mickey: "How was I to know?"

***

I don't know if it's because I've watched this movie too many times and it's turned me into a hypochondriac, but last week I went to the doctor and she called on Friday and left me a voicemail on my cell phone to call her back at my earliest convenience, but didn't say what it was about.

I didn't get the message until 5pm on Friday so of course all weekend I kind of thought that maybe I was dying (a little bit). In between watching movies at the Silent Film Festival.

Tell me you do that sort of thing too.

9 comments:

Yoli July 15, 2008 at 12:07 PM  

I have to say that I have a best friend who does those kinds of things and more. Very endearing in its quirky way. I am sorry you are so worried.

Thank you for your sweet post! I was blown away that someone else loved those things too!!! How could it be? You are a Scorpio, I am a Sagittarius? Total opposites! LOL. I adore Errol Flynn, he was my imaginary boyfriend when I was a little girl. Of course Robin Hood played a huge role. You mentioned chocolate...can't live without the stuff myself.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan July 15, 2008 at 12:59 PM  

If you get the least bit of an idea that you are sick, nothing will get it out.
I've been there. Notice how everything matches up when you're looking for it? Scary, scary thoughts.
I'm sure we all do it! You didn't say at the end but I assume and hope that all is well in tango land.

ModernTanguera July 15, 2008 at 4:09 PM  

I do that sort of thing, too. I had myself convinced for about 48 hours that I had cancer after I got a cryptic/vague message from my doctor once.

tangobaby July 15, 2008 at 5:00 PM  

Hi Yoli,

I'm glad you think it's endearing...I was mostly annoyed with myself but tried to keep my worry to a dull roar so as not to affect others.

I have been known to befriend other Sags in the past, so I guess I am not as surprised as you are. But adoring Errol Flynn (he was my first crush too and I have a photo of him on my dresser) and loving chocolate need no astrological reasons. Both are wonderful for any zodiac sign.

Hi TheElementary,

Well, it's not that I thought I might be sick, it's just that I'm getting to the age that someone once said "when the warranty runs out."

All is relatively well and good and I thank you for the well wishes!

Hi moderntanguera,

Why on earth do we do that to ourselves? It's really so silly.

I am guessing that you do what I do and play out these very dramatic scenes in your mind where people feel sorry for you, and then you experience a miraculous recovery before it is too late.

Relyn Lawson July 15, 2008 at 7:43 PM  

I am sorry I didn't get to this post in time to leave a peppy, happy, encouraging comment. Am most relieved to hear that all is well.

Yes. We all do those kinds of things. Once I got an abnormal pap report and managed to stay very calm while I called the doctor. (Note - it was not a weekend.) The nurse mentioned cancer and I got a bit upset. (honestly, only a bit) She reprimanded me for being upset and I jumped on her head - politely, of course. I told her that she was the one to mention cancer and that she has no business mentioning cancer and then telling someone to settle down not be worried.

Anyway - this story is much better in the telling than the writing. All that to say, "yes I get it." Oh - it was a mistaken report and nothing was wrong at all. I haven't had a pap since then, though.

Liz July 15, 2008 at 8:28 PM  

OH! I am a pitiful and sniveling worrier... I worry about things that I haven't even talked to a doctor about, like the pain in my lower back that has been there for a week or more, I wake in the middle of the night.... I won't bore or horrify you with the thoughts and worries I conjure up for myself... but I am thinking there are an awful lot of us worriers out there... SO glad all is well tho...

tangobaby July 15, 2008 at 10:32 PM  

Hi Relyn,

Yeah, I wrote this post after the fact basically. But I will still accept your peppy, happy message because I love getting those from you.

But now I have to spank you a little (virtually) and guilt you a little and you probably know what I'm going to say but...YOU HAVE TO GET A REGULAR PAP SMEAR.

In this case, ignorance is not bliss and you have a lovely family that wants you to be healthy and happy for a long time. I can understand how horrible it must have been to have that ding-dong nurse mix you up with another patient, but that does not let you off the hook for doing something simple (albeit unenjoyable, I admit) that could save you health worries down the road.

Okay, no more guilt. It's just the love talking, okay?

xoxo

Hi Liz,

Pitiful and sniveling, I can handle that. You and I can definitely be friends.

I am so glad to know that I am not the only drama queen I know! Thank goodness!

And I hope your back is feeling better! Maybe a nice heating pad and a hot fudge sundae would do the trick.

julochka July 16, 2008 at 2:53 AM  

i'm not sure my doctor would ever call me...but if he did, and i missed the call, i'd definitely do that. :-)

i met my starter husband when he was in medical school and so went through 3 and a half years of being "diagnosed" with whatever the latest disease he was studying, always at the extreme. a small cough--TB! a headache--brain tumor! a cut would quickly become gangrene.

perhaps that immunized me a bit.

love the marty feldman ref, tho'. :-)

tangobaby July 16, 2008 at 1:16 PM  

Oh julochka,

You were a very good sport! I am picturing you rolling your eyes with every new diagnosis, inwardly sighing but being incredibly supportive.

The things we do for those we love. I just hope he was not practicing his phlebotomy techniques on you.

And yes, dear Marty, may he rest in peace. I just found out that he wrote two skits that eventually became classic Monty Python (and two of my faves): the Four Yorkshiremen and the Bookshop.