——————————————————
DEFINITION:   SEXIST
sex·ist/ˈseksist/
adjective
1. relating to or characterized by prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex.
“his attitude to women is patronizing and sexist”
noun
1.a person with sexist views.
“I want to make it clear that I’m certainly not a sexist”

——————————————————-
As I got off the phone, I thought, “Did that just happen?” And after a long pause, “No, it didn’t. I’m just hypersensitive to that issue. ”

I explained what happened to my husband and then went on with my day.

Again, two hours later I thought, “Did that really happen?” As I tap my pen on my desk, I wanted an answer. I had referred several patients to this doctor and three off the top of my memory had basal cell cancerous lesions like myself; one female and two males. I pick up the phone and did some quick follow-up calls. I thanked the last patient and got off the phone now knowing, that really happened.

All three patients have yet to have their surgeries. The woman is having insurance scheduling issues, and they are working with her on her options. But both men, can’t schedule surgery at this time as it interferes with their work. They planned on “getting it done,” over the next several months or during the Christmas break. They reported the doctor was understanding and did not hassle them about waiting until they could free-up time from work. Although, both men have been delaying surgery since their January and March diagnosis.

“Wow, that did happen!”

During my morning conversation with that same doctor, I told him I just finished several long vacations and had three more business trips and a packed schedule due to my absence. I was planning for January to have my surgery; in the mean time, I wanted to start topical treatment as my lesions are tiny and want them to remain under control.

This doctor devalued my career, my patients, my businesses, my duties, my responsibilities, my own “doctor” work schedule, my “restaurant” work schedule, and my “advocacy” schedule. Only after my follow-up calls did I catch the depth of his devaluing of women. Both male patients had careers that were not addressed as a “social calendar,” he understood their need to perform at a high level, and the surgeries would have to wait.

This came right on the heels of the anti-diversity manifesto penned by James Damore. In it are the author’s qualms with diversity and inclusion initiatives at Google, programs he deemed a waste of time because women are inherently less suited for technical roles than men.

Blind commenter:
“The fella who posted that is extremely brave. We need more people standing up against the insanity. Otherwise ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ which is essentially a pipeline from Women’s and African Studies into Google, will ruin the company.”

So no, my doctor was not brave, and I am not impressed. I want to make it clear that my doctor is certainly a sexist. Right in the very definition as noted above, “his attitude to women is patronizing and sexist.” But no, nothing will happen to this guy and that is why women need to inspire change.

**Update

New doctor, great service, respected my schedule, and I am on a plan to beginning skin cancer free.  My new doc is a male because he is the best-qualified surgeon in my area and I am NOT gender biased.