Our Sepia Saturday prompt this week has a medical element to it - it is a 1960s picture of a nurse in Richmond, Virginia about to go out on calls. The only medic I have to match the theme is the Good Lady Wife and therefore my picture this week dates back to 1983. It shows the GLW and a group of her colleagues just before their final exams. The photograph followed a clinical skills revision session and in order to obtain a suitable record of the event I persuaded them all to look miserable for the occasion.
If anyone should have been miserable it was the poor chap behind the camera (me) because, as well as being the session photographer, I was also one of the session guinea pigs. It had been decided that I had particularly good varicose veins and therefore they were made available for examination. My poor old father - who seemingly had a wonderful heart murmur - was also roped in for the event.
As well as being on-theme, the photograph has a particularly timely connection. The students went on to graduate and eventually became doctors. And on Thursday evening, the GLW and I went to a presentation evening organised by the Local Hospital Trust where she was presented with her 25 year service certificate.
Whilst the doctors made it to 25 years, my varicose veins didn't - they were removed many years ago. I still have the scars from the operations : they serve to remind me of the passage of time. As do the photographs.
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You succeeded in making them look miserable; one hopes their bedside manner became a little more cheery.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the GLW, Alan. So, 'the lad' is following in mother's forceps...sorry, I mean footsteps?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great photo! You certainly did make them look miserable. So, you got rid of your varicose veins! I have to think about doing that. Scars do remind us of the past, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I read the commentary for the photo because my initial thought was to be sure not to be sick near them. They look like they've been sniffing around Dr. Frankenstein's lab a little too long. Great story!
ReplyDeleteMy curiosity gets to me as I'm trying to figure out what area these people were in? So you had an in with the medical profession and they still couldn't do anything about the veins? I hope you are in good health now.
ReplyDeleteMy maps of the London underground on my legs need removing, but only due to their unsightliness. Can't say they have ever caused pain.
ReplyDeleteHand-in-hand with 'various' veins go piles, which itch horrendously, but I simply can't face the knife in such a sensitive area.
They certainly look stressed! I've read about the sacrifices made by doctors starting out. It's good to know your GLW has made a nice career of it.
ReplyDeleteWell, they do look quizzical at a minimum & a bit miserable around the edges--but a good photo & story nonetheless!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Missus for the 25 yrs, and to you for the photo!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 25 years.What's The Instrument She's Holding?
ReplyDeleteYour miserable picture tickled me greatly! Congrats to GLW on her presentation :-) Jo
ReplyDeleteThe GLW looks more surpised than miserable; what had you just said to her? Many congratulations on her certificate of service.
ReplyDeleteWho's that guy who had the nerve to half-smile? Spoilsport!
ReplyDeleteHa! This is a great picture. Glad everybody made it through with flying colors. I'm still laughing at their expressions.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sepia Saturday, Alan, and great pick for this week's topic.
Kathy M.
Congrats to GLW on her 25th anniversary!
ReplyDeleteSome of them are better than others at acting miserable.
ReplyDeleteThat's a hammer she's holding. You know the one they use to test your reflexes, if you've any left.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to GLW, Alan.
Look out though if she chases you with a hammer.
Well old veins or new veins, thank goodness you are here to take another photo of her special moment of great congratulations for a life well served for so many....! Please pass my congrats on to her as well...
ReplyDeleteFrom my memories of working in the medical school, it wasn't too hard to find expressions like those around the place. I have my father's diary from his first year at medical school. He was certain that he would fail all his exams. He didn't, of course.
ReplyDeleteYour GLW looks a bit startled by something. At least you have a medical reference; I have not one person in my family who is in the medical profession - well, one pharmacist, but no photos.
ReplyDeleteGlancing at the fellow in the center I briefly thought you had a picture of Sir Paul, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that 25 years feels a greater accomplishment when contrasted with the emotions recorded by your camera. Congratulations to you both.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Dr. GLW! Twenty-five years of service is an impressive milestone. Loved the post, loved the picture!
ReplyDeleteHow convenient
ReplyDeletethat the prompt and your own life mesh so well....
;)~
Congrats to the GLW!!
Must be practical
to have at-home care...
;)~
HUGZ
What a fun photo - and congrats on 25 years.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to your GLW..you are a lucky man to have a private physician:)
ReplyDelete