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Blood tests. They’re a part of my life. I get them at least 3 times a year. I’m one of those strange people who has to watch the needle go in. Really, I’m a pro at it. I was in for one of my tests today and had an experience that had me on the verge of a down with the healtcare system hissy fit.

I’ve generally got Buddha-like patience for the healthcare system, but when the people running the lab you’re supposed to be going to arrive 30 minutes late and you have to fight of throngs of the elderly to keep your place in line it can put you on edge. After you’ve had your person information screamed across a small room and you’re already 30 minutes late for work it can raise you blood pressure a tad. Fifteen minutes later, when you’re finally about to have three stupid tubes of your blood taken out and the lab tech walks away from you, a moment before she’s about to stick a needle in your arm so that she can have a 5-minute conversation on the phone, you might start making squeak-y noises of suppressed rage.

I have never lost my temper in public. Never, ever. I’ve become stern once or twice, but even in the face of bad service or general chaos, I usually manage to retain my polite and friendly demeanor. In that moment I understood the place that people go to when they pitch a hissy-fit. I was there. I was ready to stand up and scream, but I closed my eyes, took a couple of deep breaths and tried to get the room to stop spinning.

You see, for the tests I was having done I had to fast. I’m on a very regimented and timed diet, so if I don’t get to eat at the time I’m meant to eat, it’s pretty much all bad. It’s a 5’11″ baby with the ability to rationalize, whine and hit people.

I hadn’t had any food for more than 12 hours. I was two hours behind my smoothie and my tummy was demanding oatmeal. I had a smoothie in my bag, just waiting for the moment the tests were complete, as I knew (and I was right) that every cell in my body was going to be screaming for sugar.

Eventually the lab tech got off the phone (it was even a personal call!) and came back to finally take my blood. I remained composed. I knew that getting upset wouldn’t help a damn thing. I do wonder if she could tell that my blood was boiling as it came out of my arm.

Today’s sing-a-long song: “Waiting” by Matthew Sweet

HRH

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