Friday, December 02, 2011

Sepia Saturday 103 : In A Medical Vein


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.



To see more Sepia Saturday 103 posts visit the SEPIA SATURDAY BLOG and follow the various links.

26 comments:

  1. You succeeded in making them look miserable; one hopes their bedside manner became a little more cheery.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations to the GLW, Alan. So, 'the lad' is following in mother's forceps...sorry, I mean footsteps?

    ReplyDelete
  3. That 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?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'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!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My 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.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My maps of the London underground on my legs need removing, but only due to their unsightliness. Can't say they have ever caused pain.

    Hand-in-hand with 'various' veins go piles, which itch horrendously, but I simply can't face the knife in such a sensitive area.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, they do look quizzical at a minimum & a bit miserable around the edges--but a good photo & story nonetheless!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats to Missus for the 25 yrs, and to you for the photo!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations on the 25 years.What's The Instrument She's Holding?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:04 PM

    Your miserable picture tickled me greatly! Congrats to GLW on her presentation :-) Jo

    ReplyDelete
  12. The GLW looks more surpised than miserable; what had you just said to her? Many congratulations on her certificate of service.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Who's that guy who had the nerve to half-smile? Spoilsport!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ha! This is a great picture. Glad everybody made it through with flying colors. I'm still laughing at their expressions.

    Happy Sepia Saturday, Alan, and great pick for this week's topic.

    Kathy M.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congrats to GLW on her 25th anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Some of them are better than others at acting miserable.

    ReplyDelete
  17. That's a hammer she's holding. You know the one they use to test your reflexes, if you've any left.
    Congratulations to GLW, Alan.
    Look out though if she chases you with a hammer.

    ReplyDelete
  18. 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...

    ReplyDelete
  19. From 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.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your 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.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous3:19 AM

    Glancing at the fellow in the center I briefly thought you had a picture of Sir Paul, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm sure that 25 years feels a greater accomplishment when contrasted with the emotions recorded by your camera. Congratulations to you both.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Congrats to Dr. GLW! Twenty-five years of service is an impressive milestone. Loved the post, loved the picture!

    ReplyDelete
  24. How convenient
    that the prompt and your own life mesh so well....
    ;)~
    Congrats to the GLW!!
    Must be practical
    to have at-home care...
    ;)~
    HUGZ

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a fun photo - and congrats on 25 years.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congrats to your GLW..you are a lucky man to have a private physician:)

    ReplyDelete

11 March 2024 : Paper Hanging

  Some people read the paper, some try and understand the meaning of life, George II and Elvis Presley both died there .... and photographer...