Of Blood Tests & Support Groups

Drumroll, please. Tomorrow is my EIGHTH and final blood test. My arm has become sore from all of the pricks, so the final test is most welcome. So are the drinks that Blood Test Buddy and I have planned to celebrate. I did give Miss Betty a hug today to thank her from delivering me from phelbotomist trauma.

My NaPro doctor asked me to wait 5 days after the last blood test (tomorrow) before visiting him for an analysis of the tests. I will be sure to post the information!!
The blood test coincides with our SHE Infertility Support Group Meeting. Ought to make for a hectic morning; this calls for mucho espresso. :)

SHE Infertility Support Group Meeting

Tomorrow, April 25th
9:00-11:00am

Seton Catholic School
1740 Summerhill Dr.
Lexington, KY 40515

Blood Test Marathon: Day 3

One simple test has caused so much problems. Arrg! The blood tests are taken Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday for 2 weeks. So on Monday, I went to the lab. Thankfully, one of the girls from our SHE group also had blood work. We're calling ourselves "Blood Test Buddies." The phlebotomist could not find my vein; any needle pricks resulted in no blood coming out. After numerous attempts in both arms, she finally collected the sample from the top of my hand. Thankfully, Blood Test Buddy held my hand as the extraction was quite painful.

After announcing my trauma on Facebook and telling several friends, I was advised to find another phlebotomist. Not knowing if my paperwork could be faxed to another lab, Blood Test Buddy and I returned to the same place on Wednesday. Perhaps some delusional part of me thought Monday's nightmare was only a fluke and unrepeatable.

WRONG! The same thing happened. This time, the phlebotomist couldn't even get the blood to come out of my hand. She finally sent me to her colleague across town. I showed up in that lab with 3 band-aids: my left hand and both inside forearms. Blood Test Buddy kindly came with me, despite the fact her blood had actually come out of her arm at the former lab. The test at the new lab went differently. The new phlebotomist "Miss Betty" found my vein within seconds and completed the test within a minute.

Thankfully, I learned my lessons: go with a friend for support and find a good phlebotomist!