Welcome to Beertown

Two weeks ago, I called the OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) Women's Center to make a couple appointments for myself. I needed an annual exam and also just a general visit because I needed a new prescription for an allergy medication. I checked the website first and then verified with the scheduler that I could do all of this on the same visit. Fast forward to 3:15p this afternoon. I was one of two not-pregnant women in the waiting room and it seemed pretty evident that this was going to be a straight-up GYN visit. Bummer. I asked the nurse about it while she was taking my vitals. She said she didn't think they could do the prescription but she'd ask the doctor. I changed into my gown and the nurse stuck her head in to say the doctor would be with me shortly. She'd asked him about the allergy medication and he said he wanted to talk to me about it. Great. I started to feel like I was coming off as some sort of pill popper. When the doctor came in, one of the first things he asked me about was this prescription that I was after. I explained the apparent miscommunication when I scheduled the appointment.


Me: So, it's a prescription for Allegra. I don't take it daily; just as needed.
Doc: What exactly are you allergic to?
Me: Um... this probably sounds trivial but I assure you it's not. I'm allergic to brewer's yeast.
Doc: What?! Really?! You're allergic to BEER?
Me: Yes. But if I take an Allegra and wait 20 minutes, I can drink it without my face blowing up.
Doc: Wow. That's not trivial. That's a quality of life issue. This is PORTLAND! You'll be run out of town if you can't partake in the local brews! Yes, I'm a gynecologist, but I like to think that we are concerned with the whole body here so I will go ahead and give you that Allegra prescription. Now. Let's talk about breast exams.

And there you have it. I can once again drink beer. Plus the good doctor recommended a cool bar with great burgers in my neighborhood. Have I mentioned how much I'm loving Portland?

1 comments:

Team Baribeau said...

FREAKING CLASSIC!!!