Health

I had to get some lab work done today. I've become quite good at this. I know which arm is best and the approximate spot where they'll hit pay dirt. I'm one of those 'hard to draw blood from' types.

The last thing I want to hear is something that I heard today; "Hello, I'm a student, is it OK if I draw your blood today?"


I told him that I'd be a good learning experience for him, and go ahead and have at it. I then told him where he'd have the most luck in finding the elusive vein.

Poke poke... sweat ... poke poke... dig... sigh.....

"Uh, I h" (he started to say "I HOPE") "I am sure we'll find it."

I laughed and said, "you'd better work on those thought bubbles. That one almost popped. You almost said hope".

After a little nervous laughter on his end, more of the poke poke... dig dig.. sweat sweat.

Eventually he got the vein and was able to draw the three viles he needed.

Afterward he said, "I'm surprised you caught me almost say the word hope".

I replied, "I'm a good listener."

Heh. Lucky me with the good listening skills.

Our company has changed insurance carriers, and my current doctor is not one of the approved physicians. Since I have a liver disorder, it's important that I have a good doctor that understands the importance of regular CT scans, ultrasounds and blood work.

So, I'm doing a meet and greet with a new doctor on Wednesday. They have a website, so I decided to look up his bio. In it, I read, "I believe it is important that we take care of ourselves through fitness and healthy eating. I enjoy discussing exercise with my patients.... "



I liked my old doctor. She was chubby too, and realized that I have a mirror and a brain and know that I should lose weight and exercise. I have a feeling I'm gonna get lectured. Gah!!!

When I read that bio, I was reminded of a Hospice patient of mine. Toward the end, she was rarely awake. I sat in the room with her while her husband was out running errands. Toward the end, she was very disoriented when she'd wake up and would have very few lucid moments. That is what makes this story so funny.

The ONE lucid moment she had was when she decided to give me diet tips. It went something like this:

An hour of snore snore, mumble mumble, then she looked at me and very clearly said , "Dear, maybe if you used a little less salt, that might take care of the weight problem. Or, maybe eat less meat". snore snore, mumble mumble.

I still giggle thinking about it.

Avoid the temptation to eat your favorite hot cereal next time you have the flu. Anything with the word "bran" in it should be avoided at all costs.

Ok, really I suggest you NOT meet Mr. Mucus. He's just gross and about the most disgusting marketing ploy I've ever come across. I do suggest Mucinex, however. (thanks sis for the recommendation!)

Yeah, I know the topic is gross, but I feel compelled to share this fabulous find. I have the flu, but this stuff is making it less miserable than flu's that have run over me in the past.

Mucinex and Advil, my two new lovers.

Lest I gross anyone out with details, I shall just leave it at that.

I woke up this morning with a little bit of a sore throat, sore joints, and a bit of a sore attitude thank you very much. I know that when my attitude stinks, generally there's something looming around the corner.

Toward the 2pm mark today, I was feeling more sore in all the places that I was just a little bit sore earlier in the day. I decided to go home and finish my work in the comfort of flannel.

Now my joints are so sore that it hurts to even type. So, with that, I bid you a fond farewell for the evening. I must now keep company with my new lover, the flu.

Good thing I bought mistletoe today....