Thursday, January 6, 2011

What do you do?

I think there's certain jobs out there that when mentioned sort of end the conversation. Perhaps I'm entering a career like that, here was a recent conversation that occurred when I picked Amelia up from school.

"Are you Jan's daughter?"

"Yes."

"Hi. I'm .... I served with your Mom on the school board. You're a doctor right and you've been in Kenya?"

"Yes, I am."

"What are your plans, are you returning to Kenya?"

"Well, we are still interested in medical missions, but I'm going to start a fellowship in pelvic reconstruction."

"Oh, so you're an orthopedic surgeon?"

"No, I'm a gynecologist."

A look of surprise, a slight smile and then, "Well, I better go get my kids."

6 comments:

afreakforjc said...

Could be a conversation ender. Also, could be a conversation starter as they talk your ear off about their urinary incontinence problems.

The Drs. McLaughlin said...

Maybe their context of "pelvic reconstruction" is the Hollywood "vaginal rejuvenation" stuff. That would be a shocker for most conservative folks. :)

The Friess Family said...

You're right, I better clarify how reconstruction is different. :)
Hope you all are doing well!

Jennifer said...

I have often joked that I was glad Darin didn't go in to urology, as that could be a conversation ender. I have met at least one urologist who had fun with it, though. His license plate was PPDOC.

Anonymous said...

That made me laugh. Most people give me quizzical looks when I say neonatology but then say 'ahh' when I see premature babies. I remember the day we longed for people to be confused with what we did. BTW my neighbor does pelvic reconstruction and may be moving to NM. I'll let you know if she does.

Anonymous said...

That made me laugh. Most people give me quizzical looks when I say neonatology but then say 'ahh' when I see premature babies. I remember the day we longed for people to be confused with what we did. BTW my neighbor does pelvic reconstruction and may be moving to NM. I'll let you know if she does.