Hi Peter, I live in the US and I feel much the same as you, though admittedly it's hard to not just feel numb about it all. Pretty much all they tell...
They have different sizes of speculum for the test and they will have one to suit you too. I've gone from needing the bucket sized one (thanks, kids)...
A friend is in a similar situation and she made the decision to switch her phone off and leave it at home as she was going on holiday with others and...