Try Something Relaxing, Like Painting or Ceramics, (they said)!

Well not "they." 

He.

My doctor.

With my debilitating anxiety disorder, you will not be surprised to learn that I tend to avoid doctors, to use the proverbial simile: Like the plague. I avoid them until my inner sense of duty takes over, and I realize that there are a couple annual or biennial screenings that do need to be done. Eeek! Knowing these medical appointments will shoot my anxiety right into the stratosphere, I usually spread them out over several months, but this year I had a different idea. What if I scheduled all these appointments (including the dentist, which also scares me spitless) in the same week? That way I would have one horrifying week, but then it would be over, and (once all test results came back clear), I could enjoy the remaining 50-51 weeks of the year.

As I sat in one of these healthcare provider's offices (Day 2 of my weeklong visits with medical personnel), just ever so shy of a full-on panic attack (!), he decided to ask me about my anxiety and what steps I take to reduce it.

"WELL, I TRY TO SYSTEMATICALLY AVOID DOCTORS...DUH!" 

I wanted to shout this in is face, but shouting in people's faces is a bad idea these days, and also, he was really such a nice dude that I refrained. You see, I don't have a personal physician, like someone I see regularly. I have no health issues other than anxiety, so when I force myself to brave up and go do these damn screenings, I see whomever happens to be available. It makes zero difference to me who that is. They are all terrifying.

I tell you that so you'll give this nice guy a break when I tell you the rest of the story. He doesn't know me from Eve. When he asked what steps I take to reduce anxiety, I promptly gave all the right answers:

• relaxation 
• meditation
• yoga poses
• breathing techniques
• regular exercise
• healthy food
• no alcohol
• no tobacco

"Do you drink coffee?" he wanted to know.

"Nope, I drink Diet Coke."

"Me too; it's my favorite," he replied.

Well, look at that. We're BFFs already. Soulmates really.

Then came the most hilarious part of the visit. In a genuine, caring attempt to help me better control my anxiety, he kindly suggested that I "try something relaxing, like painting or ceramics." It was all I could do to hold in the laughter that was bursting inside every part of my body. The irony is that if I wanted to find two things that would most efficiently increase my anxiety, I can't think of two better candidates than painting and ceramics! 

Again, the guy doesn't know me. I didn't want to be rude. Or disrespectful. He had already surpassed my expectations when, as an introduction, he said, "Hi Terrianne. I'm Michael Strombly." I am so impressed with doctors when they aren't so arrogant that they call you by your first name but expect you to use the courtesy title "Dr." and their last name. He didn't do that. Yay!

I told him writing is my sole creative outlet (other than speaking in church, and I only get to do that when they let me), and I promised to do lots more blogging.

Then I got the hell out of there because oh my goodness, those places are bad for me.

P.S. Screenings all came back clear. Good to go for at least a year.