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<\/a>By Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D. FAAP Doctor Eisman, is in Family Practice in Aventura, Florida with her partner, Dr. Eugene Eisman, an internist\/cardiologist<\/strong><\/p>\nI, Doctor Curmudgeon have had concerns that I may be drifting into an incipient reclusiveness.<\/p>\n
Due to recent events, I have begun to fear that the appellation of \u2018recluse\u2019 may actually apply to me. Therefore I sought solace with one of my favorite references, Wikipedia:
\n\u201cA recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means “shut up” or “sequester”. Historically, the word referred to a hermit’s total isolation from the world.\u201d
\nI sigh with relief on finding this explanation of recluse. <\/p>\n
I reside with others.
\nI speak on the phone.
\nI continue to answer the door (with great caution, through a peephole)
\nI do telemedicine with patients and Facetime with friends and family
\nOccasionally, I leave my home for important errands. (In Hazmat gear, of course)
\nI can now wipe my brow with relief.
\nWhy did I think that I might be a recluse?
\nAh, indeed! In recent months, thoughts have rampaged through my brain that would never have occurred to me a year ago. I had feared that reflections such as those listed below might be an indication of a burgeoning reclusiveness:<\/p>\n
1. Which lounging apparel or pajamas should I wear today? Should I attire myself in a more formal set when I engage in telemedicine with my patients? Will they even care?<\/p>\n
2. A corollary to the above is a decision about eye makeup. Is it necessary to be worn in the above situation?<\/p>\n
3. Another corollary to thought number 1 is: How on earth do I put it on? It\u2019s been so long that I have forgotten how to swipe my lashes and line my eyes.<\/p>\n
4. While driving home. I noticed a sign that said, \u201cMen working.\u201d Why does it say \u2018men?\u2019 Don\u2019t women work, too? Shouldn\u2019t the sign say something like, \u201cmen or women working,\u201d or maybe \u201cpeople working?\u201d<\/p>\n
5. Since I have been home so many more hours than usual, I find myself going up and down the stairs far more frequently. I really notice the stairs now. As I grip the banister, I think about falling down the stairs. And I wonder, why don\u2019t I feel concern about falling UP the stairs?<\/p>\n
6. While sipping my coffee, eating my fruit and enjoying melted mozzarella cheese on sprouted grain bread, I happened to glance at my refrigerator because it made a noise. And I saw far too many magnets holding recipes, calendars, reminders\u2026and I began to worry…what if we put one more item on its door \u2026.and it toppled over?<\/p>\n
7. And finally, why is tomato soup often paired with grilled cheese sandwiches? I despise the former while I find comfort in the latter.<\/p>\n
Again, I wipe my forehead in relief. I am not a complete recluse. Famous recluses like J.D. Salinger and Emily Bronte could never have had thoughts such as the above.<\/p>\n
Q.E.D.<\/p>\n
Dr. Curmudgeon suggests “Bitter Medicine\u201d, Dr. Eugene Eisman’s story of his experiences–from the humorous to the intense—as a young army doctor serving in the Vietnam War.<\/p>\n
Bitter Medicine by Eugene H. Eisman, M.D. –on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n Doctor Curmudgeon\u00ae is Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D., a physician-satirist. This column originally appeared on SERMO, the leading global social network for doctors.<\/p>\n