The....Exam...

This is going to be a different kind of day for the youngest female in our home.

I've been sharing with you that in just 1 short week, my DD will be turning 18. She has been so blessed with overall good health all of her life. Except for the Syncope, she is fine and even with that, the cardiologist has released her from routine visits. So, God has truly blessed.

But today, the 7th day of January in the year 2009, DD gets to experience her first........exam.

Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. THE exam.

Yes. DD is visiting my gynecologist today and she's not too thrilled.

Do you remember your first....exam?

I do. Embarrassed didn't begin to scratch the surface. Nervous wasn't even close. I dreaded that more than anything I've ever dreaded in my entire life.

Having to stand on a scale and come to grips with the reality that you're not as tiny as you try to tell yourself you are. Peeing in that tiny cup and really needing to pee until they hand you that cup. Walking to the exam room and staring at this beautiful, blue, paper gown that won't cover you up no matter how hard you tug on it and then tugging on it so hard you tear it! Covering up with that paper sheet and freezing to death because for some reason, paper doesn't keep you that warm! Doc coming in and asking you to breathe, relax (?!!) and did you have a good Christmas..vacation...

Then the horrible, "Put your feet in these stirrups. Slide down. A little more. A little more. Okay. A little pinch..."

5 years of fertility treatments, 2 kids and a couple of surgeries later, it's still my least favorite thing to do.

I am blessed, though, to have an incredibly gentle, professional, Christian gynecologist. I have been his patient since I was 19 years old. He walked with me through the early years of marriage, infertility and 5 years of fertility treatments. He delivered my youngest and would have delivered DD, had she waited until he got back from vacation to make her grand appearance. He's been with me through some questionable test results and probably the greatest of all, he prayed for me and encouraged me when we thought that Zack might die upon birth. (If I haven't shared that let me know. I'll be GLAD to share how awesome God is!!).

DD knows all of this, but like all of us were, she is so nervous.

I've always tried to prepare my kids for the unknown and I've done so with this. But I don't think anything can prepare you for this experience. It's one of those things like childbirth. I can tell you everything I experienced and I can try to prepare you, but until you give birth yourself, you'll never understand it.

She was talking about this doctor visit last night when she got home from work and her dad was listening. He decided that he would share his stories about his...exam...when he went into the Navy. I smiled inwardly because, poor thing, he doesn't have a clue. He shared how the doctor examined him and I made that mental "MM hmm" to myself. Guess he still doesn't understand what a thorough exam for a female is.... :o)

So....anyway, I know this has been a bit of a rambling post, but I want my blog to be more than just tidbits and such. I want to share our life. Just those day to day happenings that make us who we are.

If you don't mind, as you go about your day, pray for Beth this afternoon. I'm sure she'll appreciate it!

Blessings......