Harassment by the Fuzz.

Patients June 28th, 2007

Yesterday wasn’t too sunny, but it was hot. The hot weather started this year earlier than I can remember and has brought with it severe allergies and drought-like conditions. The air yesterday was filled with pressure and humidity that foreshadowed the severe thunderstorm that had been predicted for days. The storm blew past us without a drop of rain.

After work I braved the humidity and went to Home Depot for some light bulbs for the office and other odds and ends for home. I always end up spending an extraordinary amount of time there because I can never easily find anything that I need and have to hunt and hunt.

Afterwards I hit the highway, pumped the tunes, sat back and started cruising at my usual speed 25km faster than the posted limit. This highway is quite a fast road and I’ve passed cops many times while I’ve been doing 125. They haven’t even looked in my direction. I’ve even spoken to patients who are cops and many of them have said they don’t bother with anyone who is doing under 130.

The last few weeks have seen some major fatalities on this highway, however. Most are because of street racers causing damage themselves, or leaving a wake of damage behind them.

It was while I was thinking of this that I noticed way back in the distance of my rear view mirror a car slowly but sure approaching. At some points I thought I could see something on its roof, at other times, the roof looked smooth.

As it approached, however, there became no question that the roof had a rack of lights. It was a provincial police cruiser approaching me from behind…about to pass…and then slowing down to match my speed. I cautiously decelerated to 120 and pretended I didn’t notice them–which was silly because I had slowed down as they approached.

After a few long seconds of me trying to act nonchalant and pretending to be enjoying my music, I noticed that the cruiser still hadn’t passed me and its front end was up to my door. Becoming nervous now, I turned to look out my window.

The car had two officers in it. The driver was driving and paying attention to the road. The passenger was female, dressed in uniform, and waving like crazy at me with a huge smile.

Turns out she’s one of my patients who is currently in-treatment with me.

With a sigh of relief I gave them the thumbs up and they shot past me. As they pulled ahead they flipped on their roof lights for a second and then they were gone.

So slowly but surely, I’m running out of corners here in Workland where I’m able to escape my patients. Two of my favourite stores, Costco and Home Depot, have patients of mine whom I’m always trying to hide from when I go in.

I guess I wouldn’t make a very good famous person. I like my privacy too much to be able to handle paparazzi.


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  • Anonymous

    that’s a cool story. i thought for sure they ticketed your ass and was later relieved to find out it didn’t turn out that way. you’re lucky to have cop patients, my brother will be quite envious of you, lol. as for the privacy thing, i hear you, totally, but on the other had, maybe you can take advantage of knowing people at places?! you just neeeever know.

  • Dr. Mommy, D.D.S.

    i run into that problem, too, sometimes. but i run into patients at the coffee house and once at a subway station. it’s like, “yeah, so how’s everything feeling?” and all that small talk. i’m not that good at that stuff.

  • Periapex

    Anon: I don’t remember my patients well enough to remember what many of them do unfortunately. My ex-biz partner, however, would first find out what someone did before he decided how good of an acquaintance they should be.

    Doc Mom: I was told by a colleague of mine when we were in school together that it was rude to ask pts about their tooth issues when you run into them outside of the office. Don’t know if that’s true, but it has stuck with me. So I don’t and that often doesn’t leave much to talk about. With me being bad with names *and* faces, it’s even worse.

  • Dr. Mommy, D.D.S.

    see i would have though it rude not to ask how they were feeling, which is why i sometimes feel compelled to do so. first of all, for lack of conversation topic, and second of all, if i don’t i’m worried that the patient might feel like i’m not concerned about them and the work i do. say, if i had knee surgery and i ran into my surgeon on the street i would almost expect him to ask and would feel greateful that he was showing concern. like i said, it doesn’t happen often. and fortunately for me, the answer has always been “feels terriffic, thanks!”.

    last week i ran into one guy on the street while walking from the train station and he said to me, “i got the estimate back for my crowns, i want to book the appointment with you, i’m going to call you today!” and i was like, “hey that’s great! um, okay! see ya then!” talk about a non sequitor.

    i think this is why i’m happy i work far from where i live. but i’ll definitely take that advice from your colleague to heart. it sounds much safer that way.

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