Columnist Ruthe Deskin: The aches and pains of a doctor’s visit

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Dec. 3, 1998 | 10:40 a.m.

Having gained the status of a senior citizen some years ago, I have earned the right to explore the weird world of aches and pains that call for periodic visits to a diagnostic clinic.

I have joined the thousands who have been X-rayed, scanned, tested and relegated to numbers, parading around in hospital gowns. Modern medicine is quite remarkable, if somewhat intimidating. Finding oneself in a machine that actually talks to you can be a near catastrophe for the claustrophobic.

But it's all part of discovering what makes the old body tick.

All this medical technology must be effective if the number of patients involved is a criteria. The waiting rooms are filled with young, old and in-betweens patiently listening for their names to be called so that all kinds of weird procedures can begin.

To all those who have been, or will be visiting a medical facility for some kind of tests, I have a few suggestions:

Take along a good book -- you'll have plenty of time to read; Wear loose- fitting, comfortable clothing -- sometimes you'll be taking it off, other times you won't; Wear sensible shoes -- you'll be doing quite of bit of walking from one area to another; Take along all your insurance cards, or Medicare, if you have it; Be ready to answer questions about any medication you are taking.

Sometimes it's comforting to have a friend along. Take a pocketful of patience with you. You will need it.

Wear a smile.

Remember the furor and wailing over the hiring of Regina Miller as coach of the Lady Rebel basketball team? So far, the team has won three straight road games and captured the championship of the Golden Gopher Classic in Minneapolis.

After years of frustrations and setbacks, it looks as if Pat Dingle's tenacity is bearing fruit. The Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park appears to be moving in the right direction. Curator Dara Hall is especially enthusiastic about new plans and programs for the Zoo, at 1775 Rancho Drive.

New House Speaker Bob Livingston has pledged to end the charade of using Social Security taxes to pretend the federal budget is balanced.

That's good news. Had this been done during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the alleged $70 billion surplus would have been shown as a $29 billion general fund deficit.

One thousand of our brightest students gathered for the annual Sun Youth Forum at the Convention Center recently. The affair wasn't even covered by local TV stations, which claim to be the eyewitness to news, and where news comes first.

Then there was the employee who received a notice: "Your salary increase will become effective as soon as you do."