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I am regularly informed that I "don't look old enough to be a doctor".(A picture of me being silly with a giant box of lubricant samples that arrived to my office)On quite literally a daily basis I am asked "now how old are you?" by new patients.When I first started practice, my new partner was showing me around the hospital, and two separate physicians thought I was a nursing student!So I cut my hair in a style I thought would make me look sophisticated. The first comment I got on my haircut was "oh it makes you look like a little girl!"I figured eventually those comments would dwindle (and I know that one day they will) but that was eight years ago and they are still going strong.So now I just deal with it. It's not a problem for my patients who have now known me for a few years, but it is sometimes concerning to my new patients that I meet for the first time in the ER who need emergency surgery."Uh, and YOU will be doing that surgery? And how old…" they ask.I'm 39. It's got to stop soon right?I know who to blame. This is me with my mother. She’s 65.

A cancer patient who had been diagnosed with bone cancer came in to meet with the oncologist. Nothing unusual about this.We do the usual: get patient information, take some vitals and so on.Doctor comes in to meet with patient. Informs patient that he received the results of his tests and they found bone cancer.Doctor goes into the usual spiel about stages, prognosis and treatment options. Explains the side effects of each treatment. Nothing unusual…so far.Doctor explains that the patient is entitled to a second opinion and if not, they should start treatment immediately. We all know the usual cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemo.Patient chimes in and says, “I won’t be doing radiation and chemo. I’m going to rely on my immune system to fight this.”Doctor says, “Your immune system can’t and won’t fight this. This is cancer, not a cold.”Patient says, “I’m going to overcome this. I’m going to start a regimen of diet, exercise and vitamins to help boost my immune system so I can fight this cancer.”Doctor says, “Diet, exercise and vitamins? Are you serious? None of that will treat cancer. You need tried and true treatments if you want to overcome this cancer.”Patient says, “No, I’m going to do my thing. I won’t be needing the radiation or chemo or whatever.”Doctor steps out of the exam room and runs to his office. I thought he was upset at first, but when I went in, the doctor was laughing so hard, he couldn’t sit up straight. Of course I closed the door and then asked what was so funny.It took Doctor a minute to collect himself enough to respond. And of course I started laughing as well. So I go back into the exam room with Patient and I go over the treatment plan.Me: So I’m here to go over the treatment plan with you.Patient: Yeah, I told the doctor I’m not getting radiation or chemo.Me: So what is your treatment plan?Patient: I’m going to start a regimen of diet, exercise and vitamins. That will boost my immune system to help me fight this cancer.Me (not missing a beat): Okay, who do you want as your emergency contact?Patient: My mother.Me: Do you want to list her as your next of kin?Patient: Yes.Me: Do you want your mother to make medical decisions for you in the event you are unable to do so?Patient: Yes.Me: And which funeral home do you want us to call?Patient: I beg your pardon?Me: Which funeral home do you want us to call when you die?Patient (furious): How dare you! I’m doing something about my cancer. I’m going to eat a raw diet, exercise several times a day and take lots of vitamins! I’m not going to just die!Me (quietly): Yes, you are. If you decide to do this regimen of yours, you will.Patient (very angry): This is what I want to do. This is what I’m going to do.Me: Okay. Make sure to tell your friends and family to buy new suits and dresses to wear to your funeral next year, okay?Patient: *gets angry and storms outEpilogue: Patient dies from bone cancer eight months later. Patient was 20 years old and way too young to die, let alone from bone cancer.

I didn’t quit this job but was let go. I was hired as a Chiropractic secretary to work on old accounts and to get pre-approvals for chiropractic care in the office from insurance companies. When I was hired I informed the doctor of chiropractic that I did not know how to do pre-approvals, he said no problem, I will teach you. I was there for about 2 months and new patients were always coming in for chiropractic care, unbeknownst to me I had no idea who they were, or if they needed preapproval. I was in the basement working on old accounts. A new patient came in and was there for about 5–6 visits, without preapproval. It was nearing the end of May in Central NJ and it was getting hot and humid outside. The doctor of chiropractic made his way down to the basement one day late in May 2008 and looked and me and said: “ oh, by the way, I am going to have to let you go, as the new patient was not preapproved by you, and I lost a lot of money!”. I stood up from my seated position and said: “ Wait a minute buddy, you never trained me for pre-approvals as we discussed in the interview, and by the way that is the best news I heard all day!” He shot back at me with” I really thought you would be upset by this news..”. My reply as I got my belongings together was “are you kidding me, it’s 90 degrees outside, why would I want to sit in a dingy basement all summer when I have a 20′x40′ pool in my backyard!” He shook his head as he walked upstairs….I applied for unemployment, which he tried to deny me, but I won.