Different doctor, different reason, same boy. (Old photo). His knee was all swollen though he'd done nothing to injure it, and our family doctor suggested a visit to the Rheumatologist, who diagnosed joint hypermobility syndrome. An inheritable collagen disorder, inherited from his mother. We reviewed a bone scan I had undergone recently and it was all lit up like a Christmas tree. If Christmas tree lights were black. Inflammation in shoulders and elbows and wrists and knees and feet, but no arthritis anywhere. I don't know how that works either. I just know it hurts.
I go all anxious and idiotic at doctors' offices. It frustrates the hell out of me. Or into me. I have a new trick that works when I remember it: I pretend the doctor is my junior and we are role playing a consultation and I am evaluating their performance. It helps with the power balance. It deserted me today, my high pitched monosyllable squeaks came out in full force, as did the crossed arms, and the looking anywhere but at the doctor himself. This one was one of those days I needed to remember I am 40 not 14.
Pretty much every day is one of those days.
