background image
78
demand to see a doctor right away: the nurse on duty is
trained to decide which cases are more urgent, and she
will get you to a doctor as soon as the next guy ­ the
one who really will die if he isn't seen immediately ­ is
taken care of. I assure you, the emergency room is not
a popularity contest and they're not making you wait
because they don't like your looks. They're not back there
drinking coffee and playing cards, either ­ they really will
help you as soon as they possibly can.
It's best, once again, to give only the amount of
information needed for the nurse or doctor to understand
the essential problem, and to let them ask whatever other
questions they need. However, emergency room staffs see
a great many cases of domestic violence and abuse, and
are (rightfully) suspicious of injuries that look as though
they might have resulted from abuse ­ so if you're marked
in a way that they might think is suspicious, it's better to
mention that up front.
You: "Hi, Dr. Fast. I have a laceration on my leg from
where I dropped a Coke bottle and it shattered. However,
I want you to know that you may also see bruises on my
thigh from consensual sex play with my lover earlier this
week."
If your injury resulted directly from sexual play, be
up-front about explaining that. Emphasize, however, that
what you were doing was consensual. It may also be a
good idea to mention that you have done this before
with no harm, and that what happened this time was
an accident. Letting them know that your primary care
practitioner is aware that you engage in these behaviors
­ assuming, of course, that he is ­ might help as well. (Do