Emily hated doctor’s appointments. She really did. The thought of sitting in a cold room, waiting for someone to poke and hold her, made her stomach twist. But she had no choice. She had been feeling tired and dizzy lately, and her mom insisted on getting her checked out.
It was still early when Emily walked into the clinic. The sky was a pale blue, and the streets were almost empty. She pulled her jacket tighter around her and tried to calm herself. “It’s just a check-up,” she muttered under her breath, even though her heart was racing.
The clinic smelled like antiseptic and something flowery, which made her nose wrinkle. She walked up to the reception desk. “Hi, I have an appointment with Dr. Harris at 8:30,” she said.
“Alright, Emily,” the receptionist said with a smile. “Have a seat. He’s running a bit late today.”
Emily sank into one of the hard chairs and hugged her purse to her chest. Around her, people whispered quietly or coughed. The clock on the wall seemed to move slower than usual. She tried not to think about what the doctor might say. What if it were serious? What if I have to take medicine? Her stomach did another flip.
Finally, a nurse called her name. Emily jumped up and followed her down the long hallway. The nurse opened a small room with a paper-covered exam table. “Go ahead and sit here. The doctor will be in soon.”
Emily climbed onto the table, smoothing her skirt. Her hands felt sweaty. She had been worried for weeks, and now that it was happening, it felt even scarier.
A few minutes later, there was a knock. “Emily? Can I come in?” said a calm voice. Dr. Harris stepped inside, carrying a clipboard. He seemed really sweet, which made her feel a little brave and calm.
“Good morning, Emily. How have you been feeling?” he asked, sitting down next to the table.
Emily took a deep breath. “I’ve been really tired … and dizzy sometimes. And I keep getting headaches.”
Dr. Harris nodded and wrote things down. “Okay. Let’s go over everything carefully. When did this start?”
They spent the next several minutes talking. Emily explained her symptoms and her daily routine. Dr. Harris asked questions, listened carefully, and explained things in a way she could understand. Emily felt herself relaxing.
Then he checked her blood pressure, listened to her heart and lungs, and looked in her eyes. “Everything looks pretty normal,” he said. “I’d just like to do a few blood tests to be careful.”
Emily felt relief flood all over her. “That’s okay with me,” she said.
She got up from the table. Dr. Harris smiled, “You did the right thing coming out here this morning. We’ll figure it out together.”
Walking back to the front desk, Emily felt lighter. The fear that had been sitting in her stomach all morning had eased. Sometimes the scariest part wasn’t the doctor; it was facing the fear itself, and today she had done it.
