Every 3 months I see my doctor's tech and she sucks blood out of my arm. This is the bad vampire. There was a new tech yesterday. I got the hint she was new when she asked the nurse what my diagnosis was, then spent about five minutes searching the computer for "leukopenia." Eventually I looked at her and said "L - E - U-" and she said she couldn't find it still. She asked me what it meant, and I said low white blood cell count.
She then decided she would eventually be able to find the correct codes for billing and nailed my arm to the desk. It hurt. Usually they get that little butterfly needle and just sort of slip it into my shy little veins. Not this tech. I think she used a hammer. I ended up with a bruise and a rash from the tape that I could not have hidden with half a dollar bill. It still looks pretty bad but I will refrain from adding visual aids to this entry.
The good vampire, of course, is my massage therapist. He started working on my hips and legs last week. He also told me that his mother trained gymnasts in Transylvania, Romania, and so he was around physical training all his life. Believe me, it shows. He decided to test my flexibility and was impressed. Flexibility is not my problem. It's bursitis in my hips and shoulders. He has returned full, painless range of motion to my shoulders and believes he can do the same for my hips, eliminating the pain.
For this, I will gladly give him a pint of blood.
9 comments:
I'm not sure we should know about his techniques, but I'm sure you're enjoying them anyways.
Good news is ... all the vampires are not bad:-)
Ahhh ... heres to full range of motion!
*** Coy ***
I hate that the bad vampire bruised you up...and wth? I knew what leukopenia was, just how new was she??
I am sooo jealous about the good vampire...I need some work done on me like that!
hugs,
Kathi
I didn't even know you had this journal. I'm glad I found it. I laughed out loud with your discription of your daughter moving in and her getting lost. That must have been scary for both of you. And my daughter is thin and walks like a rhino too. LOL Very cute.
I hate givin' blood...OK..so Robin is on...we are now working on dates....confluence in DC..stay tuned!..E
I had a bout of bursitis in my right hip! It kept getting worse and worse until I finally went to the Doctor....after six years! "I have arthritis, Doc. bad!" It was cured in about a week. But it sure hurt like hell for awhile.
Blood Drawers fall right below Transporters in the hospital food chain. Medical Assistants in doctors' offices make 7 bucks an hour. Most of them are required to finish high school. Take a multi-vitamin and take your chances.
There is a big difference between a good stick and a bad stick. I had my fun through four pregnancies.
I am so sorry that you had to endure this person's bumbling. After having every other dday blood draws through a bad pregnancy, I looked like a heroin addict. BTW, am so glad to be back and able to visit you again! love, Kas
I am just glad I have a "vein" that sticks out and they can all see it to get blood. It is so interesting that you knew more than this tech.
I am sorry that you have been having bursitis. I heard it is painful and I hope the pain goes away.
Hugs,
Anita
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