I have been putting off getting my TB test for my new Hospice organization, but finally got around to it last week. My Hospice volunteer coordinator told me that I only had to get the one part test, since I've had the two-part TB test twice and tested negative both times.

The employee health nurse had other opinions and I was none too happy about it. Not only that, she said that my vaccination records weren't good enough and I'd have to get my antibodies checked to ensure that I have had my childhood vaccinations. I told her that I had mumps and chicken pox when I was 12/13, but she said she was going to test for that too.

I basically left there thinking that she was a nazi. It was inconvenient for me to have to get all these tests, ESPECIALLY considering the fact that I don't even deal with patients. I simply make phone calls. But I knew that it was no use arguing with her, so I went ahead and got the tests done.

I went back this morning to have my second TB test read and she said that she had my blood tests back and said that she's never seen results like mine before.

Me:

I've heard that from doctors more often than I can count, so I said, "What is it this time?"

She said that I showed absolutely NO immunity from any of the childhood diseases. She said, "are you SURE you had vaccinations when you were a child?" "Are you sure you had chicken pox and mumps?"

I told her that yes, I was sure I had vaccinations because my mom was good about that sort of thing, and I was old enough when I had chicken pox and mumps to remember having them. I was miserable.

She told me that I need to talk to my doctor then, because it looks like I don't have much of an immune system. She cautioned me to stay away from fairs and large crowds and informed me that there was a recent mumps outbreak in Iowa (or one of those "I" states).

What?????? Suddenly my mind went to that cheesy John Travolta movie- Boy in a Bubble.

She asked me if I wanted to get started on the MMR vaccinations, and I declined. I mean, if I've had the vaccinations and even have had the diseases, then why should I believe another round is going to do the job? I told her that I'd ask my doctor about it and do what she recommends.

Anyway, I have made an appointment with my doctor for Monday morning to talk to her about this. If you'll recall, my doctor already thinks I'm fascinating, so this will be quite a treat for her. heh.

I guess the most important point to this post is that I'm glad that the nurse was a nazi afterall. The last two employee health nurses didn't make me get the immunization blood tests, so if not for her diligence I'd have no idea I was walking around without any immunity.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again- it's amazing how things work out. I really ought to quit questioning circumstances and just go with the flow.