In reply to:
I don't think that the average person understands the need for medical maintenance
You are SO right about that. I live in a very small town, and though everyone I know knows that I am "sick", they don't have any other idea. Everyone from here goes to the next nearest large city (one hour minimum) for Dr. visits, so it is pretty easy to be vague at times. It truly is amazing the depth of pure nosiness some people will go to - prolly without even realizing how invasive they are being. And I feel that using OPs would be looked at askew by ppl - you can't know until you have been there. All I need here is for rumors of OPs to spread, thereby getting the attention of the Post Office (and, yes, this town is THAT SMALL!).