visit to the doctor

A year ago, my mother was here in Switzerland and had been recently diagnosed with diabetes. It seemed a very good idea at that time to have her see a local swiss specialist also considering that she might need some help during her future visits.

We then met a well known physician at the local University Hospital for a consultation. Amma dressed in a saree was not a common sight there. Also she did not speak any German. Apart from the doctor none of the staff spoke English and I was glad to be able to help.

The discussion with the doctor she could handle well I thought, the only instruction I had for her was to speak slowly as an Indian accent was not familiar to him.

So this is how the conversation went:

doc: hello mrs ram moorthi, how are you?
amma: fine thanks.. (her face looked a little offended at his pronunciation of her name)
doc: I have a few questions about your health and life style and then I can review the medication you are taking and give you some advice. Is that ok..
amma: hmmm
doc: yes?
amma: ok ok..
doc: how long have you had diabetes?
amma: i was fine so many years.. now only .. few months back i had a check up and they found out I have sugar.
doc: how old are you?
Amma: 66 years
Doc: do you smoke?
amma: (shocked and angry at such a question..loudly)NO NO
doc: (looks up suprised at her reaction)ok. How many drinks a week?
amma: (noticable upset now- glaring at him) I NEVER drink.
doc: (even more surprised) what about your diet... specially red meat?
amma: (very upset now) chee chee, I dont eat all that.
doc: (now doesnt look up from his notes for the rest of the interview) He continues with medication, a little surprise again with questions about exercise and swimming or going to the Gym. Amma says she walks regularly and does yoga, but no gym and all that!!

Finally we conclude with a recommendation of what medicine she could take, and how often she should monitor her blood sugar at home.

As we walk out, I look back and can put myself in both their shoes and find both their reactions perfectly normal. But the two of them probably came out very surprised at the experience. Some of this I could explain to my mother but always wonder if he could ever figure out what she was thinking.

Probably, just shook his head a couple of times and sighed with relief when we left; still wondering how his innocent questions could bring out such vehement responses from her!!!