Not here for dart practice!

Got blood drawn, can you guess how it went?!

I had some odds and ends to finish up with today. I got up bright and early, ran on the treadmill for a bit then got around to get ready. It probably wasn't the best idea to run this morning, because I've been fasting for blood work today. After I got off, I drank lots of water (had to give a urine sample as well) and took a shower. Everything was fine, until I hit the road. About half way to my financial advisor's office I started to get super hungry. My appointment was at noon, so you can see why I had the grumbles the entire way.

Rene is super nice. When I first started working, I was curious as to how I set up a retirement fund. Crazy right? I was barely 21 years old, when I started contributing to one. My company has a 403B program, which I decided to enroll in. A lady at work suggested a financial advisory that might be able to help me out, so I gave it a shot. Mr. Mallory was the nicest man you'd ever meet. He met with me on a consult basis for over an hour explaining to me how these funds work, and how they could benefit my life in NORMAL WORDS lol. It wasn't until my second appointment when I decided to stay with him. I of course had met with a few other advisors, but none that took the time and consideration he did. Rene worked with Mr. Mallory and she is actually the mother of one of my friends from high school. She was so nice and kind to me--actually still is and I built trust with them immediately. About six months later, Mr. Mallory caught sudden illness. He discovered he had pancreatic cancer, and passed away shortly. I was heart broken. Rene ended up opening her own financial office, and I chose to follow her. I didn't know any of the people taking over Mr. Mallory's firm, so I went with the person I trusted the most. Anyway, I'm super pleased with the amount I got back in my return. Still debating on what to do with it actually. Should I save it, or spend it on paying off bills? Think I'll sit on it for a while, it'll take some time to get it in my account anyway!

I headed over to the hospital after my tax appointment. It seemed pretty busy in registration, and super busy in the lab. After waiting almost an hour, they finally called me back. Here we go. My arm is throbbing as we speak. The young girl who drew my blood decided to angle the needle about 50 degrees and stab my arm at the AC (crook of your elbow) and it hurt like hell. IMMEDIATELY I KNEW SHE BLEW RIGHT THROUGH MY VEIN. It isn't really hard to tell, when someone STABS you and there's NO BLOOD coming out into the vial. I asked her to take it out, and she looked like she was going to. BIG MISTAKE! She MOVED the needle while still in my arm, trying to get the vein. When someone blows your vein, it means they pierce right through it, they've gone out the other side of it and now you'll have a nasty hematoma--which is blood pooling into your tissues. GREAT. I asked her to go in my left arm, and she said there was one more spot she could try. This freaking girl is going to kill me I thought! Needless to say, she didn't kill me but I was sitting in the chair with my arm tied up plotting her demise. She stuck me AGAIN AND MISSED. You're freaking cruising for a bruising missy! She stuck me yet a third time and finally got in. 

I'm sure it is SUPER embarrassing when you attempt to draw blood and miss. I get it. I have certification that allows me to start IV's on people, and although I'm not bad at it--I'm not spectacular. I prefer patients with garden hose veins, but if I'm not confident, I ask for help! I don't just walk about using people for dart practice! Three taped band aids on later, I walked out of the hospital looking like the human pin cushion. Just for the record, I refuse to go back to the hospital to get my labs drawn. I've decided that I need to find a new place. I'll try going to the other hospital or see if I can get it done in office. I'm not dealing with it anymore. I have two huge hematomas on my arm now, and they hurt like a SOB! I can feel huge lumps under my skin, which are nothing but coagulated blood. Last time this happened (refer to my other blog entry months ago) it took about three weeks for my bruises to completely go away. 

I look like I'm a heroin addict or something! It's GROSS. Further more, I have NO IDEA why it took them so long to take me back. I NEVER make my patients wait more than 15mins tops to have their exam done. It kind of puts perspective on the dynamics of other departments. Not good ones to say the least! This round of blood work, is going to be included for my HRA insurance crap. Either way I promise you, I'm getting out of having that health coach. Because, I already have one! I weighed myself today and I'm back on track! YAY! Hoping on Wednesday I'll be at the same weight last log, and maybe even another pound lighter!