Wit Page #3

of Donne's

Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions.

l am thanked in the preface.

''Miss Vivian Bearing,

for her able assistance.''

Thank you.

Where's your wheelchair?

l do not know. l was busy, just now.

How you gonna get outta here?

-l could walk.

-lt's not permitted.

l do not know,

perhaps you would like me to stay?

l guess l gotta go find you a chair.

Don't inconvenience yourself on my behalf.

Miss Bearing, this is Jason Posner.

He's gonna do your medical history

and ask you a few questions.

He's Dr. Kelekian's Fellow.

l'm Dr. Posner, clinical Fellow

at the medical oncology branch...

working with Dr. Kelekian.

Sit over here, please.

Prof. Bearing,

l was a student at the university.

-Took your course in 17th century poetry.

-Did you?

Yes, l thought it was excellent.

Thank you.

-Were you an English major?

-No, biochemistry.

You can't get into med school

unless you're well-rounded.

l bet with myself l could get an A

in the three hardest courses.

How'd you do?

-Success.

-Really?

A-minus. lt was a very tough course.

-Yeah, l'll call you.

-Okay.

l'll just wheel this over.

Okay, l'm going to be taking your history...

which is a medical interview,

and then l give you an exam.

l believe Dr. Kelekian

has already done that.

l know, but Dr. Kelekian

wanted me to do one too.

Very well.

Okay, let's just get started.

-How are you feeling today?

-Fine, thank you.

-And how's your general health?

-Fine.

Good.

-We know that you're an academic.

-Yes, we've established that.

-So we don't need to talk about your work.

-No.

-How old are you?

-48.

-Are you married?

-No.

-Are your parents living?

-No.

How and when did they die?

My father, suddenly,

of a heart attack when l was 21 .

My mother, slowly, when l was 41 or 42.

Of breast cancer.

-Cancer?

-Breast cancer.

-l see. Any siblings?

-No.

And now your past medical history.

-Have you ever been hospitalized?

-l had my tonsils out when l was eight.

-Have you ever been pregnant?

-No.

-Heart murmurs?

-No.

-High blood pressure?

-No.

-Venereal diseases, uterine infections--

-No.

-Thyroid, diabetes, cancer--

-No. Cancer, yes.

-When?

-Now.

-Not including now.

-ln that case, no.

Okay.

Clinical depression, nervous breakdown,

suicide attempts--

No.

-Do you smoke?

-No.

-Ethanol.

-l beg your pardon?

Alcohol.

-Ethanol. Yes, l drink wine.

-How much, how often?

A glass, with dinner, occasionally,

and perhaps a scotch every now and then.

-Do you use any substances?

-Such as?

Marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine,

PCP, ecstasy, poppers--

No.

-Do you drink caffeinated beverages?

-Yes.

-Which ones?

-Coffee, a few cups a day.

-How many?

-Two to six.

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