"I have a new sebaceous cyst on my neck, so I can't get any injections in my neck today," I said, hopping up on the examining table. These nerve block injections had become routine; I had been getting between eight and ten of them in my neck and shoulders every week for over a year.
"What does a sebaceous cyst have to do with injections?" asked Dr. S.
I assumed he hadn't heard the part about the cyst being on my neck, or maybe he figured the cyst affected my chest or pelvic area, like many PCOS-induced symptoms do. So I repeated myself. "It's on my neck, so I can't have injections in my neck. Just my back today".
Dr. S. walked to the back of the table, brandishing a needle. I braced for pain in my upper back, but it didn't come.
"That's my neck!" I squeaked, tears in my eyes. Neck injections always sting, but the shock is what really startled me.
"That didn't hurt so bad, did it?" he laughed.
I gripped my cane and gritted my teeth, waiting for him to finish. 4 injections in my neck, now aching worse that it already had been. Some shots in my shoulders.
I wordlessly got up from the table and left the clinic. Then the tears came.
This is the second time this doctor has given me injections in an area I did not consent to. This is the second doctor who has performed a procedure without my consent.
All three times have given me flashbacks of being raped.
When I was raped, my ex did not accept no for an answer. He did what he wanted, for as long as he wanted, and laughed when it was over. The only way these nonconsensual medical experiences differ is they weren't in a bedroom, but a doctor's office.
How can you possibly equate that with rape? Also are you saying you have a medical degree and can decide whether or not it is safe? You're fine, aren't you? A pimple on your neck isn't enough to stop a medical procedure. I hope you don't go back to this doctor to simply save his time. Also you wouldn't need all the injections if you got healthier.
ReplyDeleteDear anonymous:
Delete1.Clearly you'venever been raped. Sexual assault survivors can be triggered by things that you wouldn't imagine. That is the nature of trauma.
2.No, I don't have a medical degree. Never said I did. Do you?
3.I am fine, although traumatized and with worse pain in my neck. Also my consent was violated so I no longer trust this doctor.
4.By healthier do you mean taking my medications on time, eating healthy foods and doing some low-impact exercise? Because I am doing all those things and still require injections. Or does "healthier" mean "lose weight", to you? In that case, it's really interesting that I've seen numerous people at my clinic getting the exact injections I do, sometimes even more of them than I get, and they happen to be very slender. Maybe weight has nothing to do with this (or most) medical treatment!
5. Next time comment using your real name, not hiding behind anononymity. You're an ableist coward.