An elderly gentleman in his later years went for his regular check-up at the local medical clinic. He had been feeling generally well, but as a precaution, he made an appointment with his trusted doctor for a routine examination. The doctor, a kind and experienced professional, ran through the usual tests, checked his vitals, and gave him a thorough check-up. Afterward, the doctor gave the man a reassuring smile and said, “Well, Mr. Williams, you appear to be in good health. Your blood pressure is excellent, your cholesterol is within normal limits, and your heart is beating strong. Is there anything else, any medical concerns or issues you would like to ask me about today?”
The elderly man, though generally in good spirits, hesitated for a moment before responding. He looked a little puzzled, almost as if he had been thinking about something for quite some time. Finally, after a few seconds, he said, “Actually, yes, doctor. There is something that’s been on my mind for a while now, and I thought I’d ask you about it since I trust your judgment. It’s a bit odd, but here it is: After I have love with my wife, I usually feel hot and sweaty. But then, after we do it again a little later, I feel cold and chilly. I don’t really know why this happens. Can you tell me what might be going on?”
The doctor raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this unusual, yet seemingly harmless, concern. He assured the man that it was perfectly fine to ask such questions, and it was important to be comfortable with one’s health, no matter the subject. He then kindly requested that the elderly gentleman bring in his wife so that he could examine her as well, as it might give some insight into the situation.
A few days later, the elderly gentleman returned to the doctor’s office with his wife, a sweet woman in her late seventies, whose face had the same warmth and kindness as her husband’s. After a brief discussion and a quick examination of the wife, the doctor smiled and said, “Mrs. Williams, everything appears to be in good order. Your health is fine, and I don’t see any major concerns. But, there is something your husband mentioned that I’d like to follow up on. He shared an interesting observation with me. He said that after the first time you two have love, he feels hot and sweaty, and then, after the second time, he feels cold and chilly. Does this sound familiar to you? Do you know why this might be happening?”
Mrs. Williams gave the doctor a look of slight surprise before she started laughing, shaking her head. “Oh, that crazy old man,” she chuckled. “I should have known! You see, the reason for his ‘temperature changes,’ as he likes to call them, is really quite simple. The first time we have love, it’s usually in the middle of summer, around August, when the weather is hot and humid. Of course, that’s going to make anyone feel sweaty and overheated. But by the time we get to the second time, it’s typically in the winter, around January, when it’s much colder outside. The house is chilly, the heating is on low, and the cold air makes him feel all shivery. So, he gets cold after the second round, purely because of the temperature difference between the two seasons!”
The doctor, now thoroughly amused, smiled warmly. “Ah, I see now! So the poor man is just a victim of the changing seasons, not a medical condition after all. I suppose there’s nothing to worry about, then.”
Mrs. Williams laughed even harder, her eyes twinkling with affection for her husband. “No, doctor, nothing to worry about! He just has a tendency to dramatize everything. But, really, it’s all about the time of year. If it’s summer, he’s sweating. If it’s winter, he’s cold. It’s as simple as that!”
The doctor nodded, feeling relieved that the situation was so easily explained. “Well, that’s certainly a good and simple answer, Mrs. Williams. I’m glad there’s nothing to be concerned about, and I hope you two continue to enjoy good health and happiness for many years to come.”
As the couple left the office, the elderly gentleman still looked a bit embarrassed, but he was reassured that there was nothing wrong. His wife, on the other hand, was in high spirits, chuckling all the way out the door. It was just another reminder that sometimes, the most complicated sounding problems have the simplest of solutions—like a change in the weather.