I remember growing up, that my mom would always pester my dad about his health. She wanted him to go to the doctor about his sleep apnea, about his cholesterol, about his feet. He never wanted to go. I didn’t understand that. Why not?

Why not let the doctor make you better?

Then I overheard my mom talking to my aunt, and I learned that men are stubborn, especially about going to the doctor.

Septimus Smith is a good example of this. Rezia wants him to see Doctor Holmes. Holmes tells Septimus to take some bromide tablets and verifies that nothing’s wrong with him. Obviously, this doesn’t cure PTSD. Septimus sees it as a waste of time. He doesn’t want to keep seeing Holmes. His wife disagrees, which makes Smith mad. “When the damned fool came again, Septimus refused to see him”

This stuck out to me because I am now a stubborn man. Last night dinner made me sick and my wife told me for the umpteenth time that she thinks I might be lactose intolerant. She wants me to  do an experiment. She wants me to eat no milk and cheese for a week and see how I feel. She wants me to see the doctor and I don’t.

Why not?

I know the doctor can help me.

I know it is wise to find out about any health problems I may have.

I guess what my Mom told my Aunt is true.

Men are stubborn.