“Asking for Directions” is a New Hampshire project that explores how men deal with health care. It’s featured in this Intelihealth article on how we typically avoid getting help for physical ailments, titled, Men Get Road Maps To Health. Lest you think we don’t have a problem:
Dr. Frederick Magaziner of Baltimore, a dentist for 40 years, has… treated men who used sandpaper or their wives’ emery boards to adjust the fit of their dentures, some who go as far as revving up their electric sanders. Cavities prompt a separate set of creative treatments. “I’ve had them stick all kinds of things in cavities thinking they can get by, from chewing gum to a roofer who put hot tar on a stick, let it cool down a bit, then put it in his mouth,” Magaziner said. “One gentleman used caulk.”
I’m not quite that bad, but I’ve not had a physical in 3 years nor have I ever had a colorectal exam which my wife keeps bugging me to do. Since I plan to live till I’m 119 (that’ll be 2069, the 100th anniversary of Woodstock and man landing on the moon — seems like a good year to kick the bucket) I’d better do what needs to be done. So I’ll do the colorectal deal and report back. I’ll be judicious with the details.