51 Comments
User's avatar
Raymond Edling's avatar

Loved it. Many fine touches. Always a delight.

Dr Vicki Connop's avatar

Well done, Michael. I can't even get my husband to go and get his high blood pressure checked out, never mind an intimate exam! Why ARE men so avoidant about this kind of stuff?

Michael Estrin's avatar

Thank you, Vicki! I really wish I knew the answer to your question. I get the hesitation. I don't think most people *like* going to the doctor. But there's something really bonkers about the way (too many) men avoid seeking medical care. When I hear about men who delay and end up being diagnosed with something serious / life threatening, the women in my life tend to ask the same question you asked, whereas the men just kinda go quiet. That's what motivated me to write this. My hope is that it inspires at least one guy to get that thing that hurts checked out. But maybe dreaming a little bigger I'm hoping more men will just start talking & writing about this stuff so that going to the doctor when something is wrong is just ... normal.

Cheryl Ferguson's avatar

Appreciate you having the balls to share this.

Debra Wier's avatar

You’re so funny 😂 and thankfully healthy!

Michael Estrin's avatar

thank you, Debra!

Darcy Siegel's avatar

A lifetime of carcinogens are coming home to roost in our "organs", breasts and ovaries and prostates. it shouldn't be just happenstance when they are discovered. What are the odds? It depends.

WiseWomanWickedTongue's avatar

This was a delight to read. Except for the cost of insurance in America. I think we all kind of ignore health concerns...it's probably nothing...so why spend hundreds of dollars. Healthcare in America sucks ass. I am glad you got your balls cupped by an Olivia Munn look alike though!

Michael Estrin's avatar

This is correct: "Healthcare in America sucks ass."

Nick Winney's avatar

1200 dollars for a GP check up... your insurance health service is SOOOOO fucked up. That would be 100% Free, in the UK, and almost free in most of europe. I feel sooo sorry for americans getting shafted by the system like that.

happy for you that the jewels are ok though...it is a worry and good to encourage other men to check em out.

Michael Estrin's avatar

Totally fucked up.

Jim Di Griz's avatar

The outrageous cost kills people. If you can’t afford $300/1200/$5000 then you probably won’t get ‘it’ checked out.

Over in the UK we fund health the way you fund the United States Army, Airforce, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

Everyone pays taxes, everyone is protected.

It’s not as hard to understand as some people think.

Heyjude's avatar

Everyone is protected by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. My neighbor who makes terrible lifestyle choices does not get more protection than I do. Older Americans do not get more military protection than young Americans.

The analogy doesn’t work.

Jim Di Griz's avatar

"It's a mutual, joint-stock world, in all meridians.”

Melville

Jim Di Griz's avatar

It works just fine if you understand the concepts of empathy and compassion.

The USA loudly claims to be a ‘Christian’ country but demonstrates little evidence to support it.

I am not a Christian but I understand the concept behind ‘there but for the grace of god…’

Universal healthcare is a function of advanced civilisation.

The USA may get there one day though the current regime leaves little cause for hope.

Michael Estrin's avatar

"Everyone pays taxes, everyone is protected."

Wild concept, but I'm here for it.

Eduardo de Leon's avatar

American Healthcare is expensive, only if you can afford it. The others don’t belong to the system, can’t get the help needed and can’t pay a real share of the burden. Because „collective thinking is communism“ (supposedly, in EU we‘re all stupid).

Michael Estrin's avatar

Yeah, the EU is a total nightmare. Kidding. Every time I'm in Europe, I think about staying.

Anna Biggs's avatar

Glad you're okay. Like your wife, I watch stuff like that on YouTube. I love Sandra Lee, Dr Pimple Popper, so I probably could have diagnosed that. I mean, I wouldn't but….

Michael Estrin's avatar

Dr Pimple Popper for the win

Tom C's avatar

You can't tell the difference between an infected hair follicle on the surface of your scrotum and a growth on a testicle?

Tom C's avatar

“You’re very brave,” she said.

And she gave me a lollipop.

Andrew Paul Koole's avatar

Move to Canada. They cup your balls for free here!

Michael Estrin's avatar

What a country!

Betsy Brazy's avatar

Healthcare is so expensive because the goddam hubement wouldn’t allow slot machines in the exam rooms.

Michael Estrin's avatar

Yes, this is the answer. We need those slot machines

FancyShark's avatar

Glad it wasn't serious!

tab's avatar

Healthcare is so expensive because we have the best Insurance Executives who have figured out a way to make more money for their stockholders.