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MP3 6.5 MB • 128 kbps • 7:07
Story behind the song
Doctor Dormidont Tikhonovich Oreshenkov, the man who trained Lumila Afanasyevna Dontsova to become a doctor, greets her at his door. He says he is happy, but also not happy, to see her, since it can’t be good news which causes her visit. He inivites her to sit in a comfortable chair, and apologizes for sitting at his desk. He doesn’t wish to appear formal, but he always receives his guest while sitting at his desk, he explains. Dontsova says she will only take a moment of his time, and asks Oreshenkov if he will contact a gastro intestinal examination of her at the clinic, at a time of his convenience and choosing. Oreshenkov says, that he will, but wishes to hear her symptoms. Dontsova begins to describe her condition in general terms, but Oreshenkov demands more detail.
As Dontsova gives details of her symptoms, Oreshenkov asks her specific questions. He asks her if she needs to take sick leave, if there is someone who can replace her. She says that Vera Gangart is a mature and capable diagnostician, and can run the department. Oreshenkov makes the appointment for Dontsova’s examination on Monday.
Lyrics
12. The Old Doctor
Oreshenko
Aha, Ludochka! Come in, I’ve been waiting. I’m very glad to see you. I’m glad, but I’m also not glad. You wouldn’t be visiting an old man if it was something good.
Please allow me, I’m not an old ruin yet.
Dontsova
Well, Dormidont Tikhonovich, it looks as though you’ve got even more books than before.
Oreshenko
Oh no, not really. Oh, it’s true, I did buy a couple of dozen lately.
Well now, where would you to sit, Ludochka? Take this armchair, you’ll be comfortable here.
Dontsova
I won’t stay long, Dormidont Tikhovnovice, I only dropped in for a minute.
Oreshenko
If you’ll forgive me, I’ll sit at the desk. It’s not that I want it to look like a formal interview, it’s just that I’m used to sitting there.
Dontsova
So, Dormidont Tikhonovich, I came to ask you to come down and give me a gastrointestinal examination. Any day that suits you, we’ll arrange it.
Oreshenko
Oh course, Ludmilla Afanasyevna. We shall arrange the day. However, I should like you to explain what your symptoms are, and what you think about them yourself.
Dontsova
I’ll tell you my symptoms right away, but as for what I think about them – well you know, I try not to think about them. You decide whether I’m to go into hospital or not and I’ll go, but I don’t want to know the details. If I’m to have an operation I would rather not know the diagnosis, otherwise I’ll be thinking the whole time during the operation, ‘What on earth are they doing to me now? What are they taking out now? Do you understand?
Oreshenko
Understand? Well, perhaps I do understand, Ludochka, but I don’t share you opinion. Anyway, why is an operation your first thought?
Dontsova
Well, we have to be ready for….
Oreshenko
Why didn’t you come here earlier, then? You of all people?
Dontsova
Well you see, Dormidont Tihkonovich….That’s the way life is, one whirl after another. Of course I should’ve come earler…. Why does it have to be so unjust?
Oreshenko
There’s no injustice there. On the contrary, it is justice in the highest degree. It’s the truest of all tests for a doctor to suffer from the disease he specializes in.
Dontsova
I never thought I’d take it so hard.
Oreshenko
So what have you observed in the way of symptoms?
Dontsova
I’ve had pains in my stomach. Perhaps that has been the reason for my
weight loss.
Oreshenko
How long have you had pains in your stomach?
Dontsova
For some time.
Oreshenko
How much weight have you lost?
Dontsova
Dormidont Tikhonovich, the last thing I want to do is to take up the whole of your Saturday evening. If you’re coming to give me an X-ray examination anyway….
Oreshenko
Well, you know what a heretic I am, don’t you? You know I worked for twenty years before X rays were invented. I require details. How much weight have you lost recently?
Dontsova
Say three and a half kilos, this month.
Blood count – twenty five. White cells – five hundred. Sedimentation…..forty four. I have no fever, but experience terrible fatigue. It interferes with my work.
Oreshenko
Breast Changes?
Dontsova
No.
Oreshenko
Urinary problems such as having an urgent need to go to the bathroom?
Dontsova
No.
Oreshenko
How’s you appetite?
Dontsova
Well, you know, it has always been hard to find time to eat on a busy schedule. My appetite has not been keen.
Oreshenko
Have you noticed if you feel full quickly, even if you haven't eaten much?
Dontsova
I haven’t really noticed that.
Oreshenko
Indigestion?
Dontsova
I haven’t been eating all that much. My pain has begun to persist over the past week. It has started to depress me. Quite frankly, Verochka Gangart is such a good diagnostician now that I’d normally have had complete confidence in her. But it’s you, Dormidont Tikhonovich, I thought I’d
Oreshenko
I’d be a fine one if I turned down my own students. But if you have to….take sick leave for a bit, will Veroch
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