Is it a lost emotion??

Last night saw the return of 'Embarassing Bodies', from the makers of 'Embarassing Illnesses', on Channel 4. 'Twould seem that a lot of my musings are about tv shows these days, but hey, write about what you know, right? Channel 4 is one of my favourite channels and they are prone to showing such insightful programmes as this.

Of course, as the title promises, it features people with embarassing medical conditions. I haven't yet watched it (but it's taking up space on my recorder's hard drive!), but after having read a review of it, I need to get the popcorn ready. What baffles me, is the extent people are willing to go to, just to be on telly... even if it means flaunting your oversized labia or your grossly mis-matched boobies. Is embarassment a dying emotion? Do people have no more shame?

Why the bafflement? Well, unlike a lot of the world, medical care in the UK is free. Yes, completely free. Whether it's for the common cold or that hip replacement, it's all funded by the taxpayer. You book an appointment with your GP, see them and leave. No money changes hands. So being offered free treatment for your disgusting scalp fungus if you appear on this show shouldn't be enticement. Would it not be better for you to go down to your GP, and sit in private and whip out your oozing penis so he can sort it out? Why would you drive down to a set-up clinic and do it in front of two cameras and an entire production team?

I know I'm a prude. My family have teased me enough about it. I would hang towels to cover our already opaque shower screen...just for extra protection. I put on my bra OVER my towel, when getting changed, just to be on the safe side. I don't even look in the mirror unless I'm dressed. So maybe I just don't understand this 'free spirit' mentality. But I'm just imagining displaying your heavily infected toenail (which is the colour of and has the smell and texture of a very mature cheddar) on tv, then popping into work the day after it was broadcast. Could you imagine the office banter then? Lovely!

During the first season of this show, back when it was called 'Embarassing Illnesses', one particular case stood out. A lady came in, with a rather embarassing problem. I'm sure the producers shit themselves when she wandered in (you'll see why this is funny in a bit). Her problem was that she suffered from rectal incontinence. So yes, she poos on herself without realising it. She'd only notice when she 'felt' it and smelt it. Nice. Oh no, you say. How did this happen? Well, when she gave birth to her son, the midwife cut her a little bit too enthusiastically and it was never repaire. Oh no, you say. How horrible! How embarassing! But...when did this both magical and tragic (not to mention life-altering in good and bad ways) day occur? Twenty-one years ago! Yes. She sat at home, shitting herself for twenty-one years. The poor lamb/ daft cow (depending on your point of view). But why did she never get it seen to? Turns out she was too embarassed to tell anyone about it.

Right.

Let's get this straight. For twenty-one years, you stayed indoors, wearing adult diapers and what not, because you were too embarassed to pop down to your GP's and sit in a nice private room and speak to someone you might actually know, about this...for free. So of course, the only way to get it sorted is to answer an ad on the internet, go to a screening to make sure you're actually embarassing enough to see the telly doctors, then return for the actual filming. Which is then broadcast on a terrestrial channel and attracts fairly healthy ratings of six million. I'm sure her son really appreciated that. I'm sure her husband loved it. I'm sure her mother was so proud.

I had a coil put in last March. It was not a pleasant experience. I had to lay there with my legs in stirrups and my skirt gathered around my waist (I always wear skirts when having things done 'down there', because I hate the thought of standing around with no bottoms on. I mean, no knickers is bad enough, but no trousers too? NOOOOOO!), while the lovely Obs and Gynae doctor rooted around in my cervix. It was embarassing enough finding out about my small and tilted cervix, with one other person in there (the nurse who was really nice and held my hand). I cannot begin to imagine how much worse it would have been if it was revealed in front of an audience of four million.

The only way I would have done that, is if they were also offering reconstructive surgery, so I could begin my new life under an assumed identity!