Monday, January 29, 2007

Spearing Olives... Part 2

Fair Warning... If you are squeamish about blood DO NOT READ THIS POST!!!!

Per my previous post re: the new blood-draw lady being Satan incarnate...

All you ladies out there have given me something very important - the gumption to stand up to protocol. :)

You see, I was scheduled for CD4 blood work for monitoring of my Follistim reaction, and it fell on the weekend. That's when Satan Blood Lady works. You could say I was NOT looking forward to the blood draw. Can't imagine why...

I am normally a very strong person - very little makes me scared, but I was literally trembling with fear when I peeked into the blood draw station and that woman standing there - I could see the horns poking through her hair and my blood began to curdle. I could literally feel my veins looking for somewhere to hide.

I decided in the car before coming into the office that I would simply leave if my only choice was Satan-lady. Yep, I was really going to risk giving up a whole cycle to avoid her - she's that bad - and I'm that strong in my conviction.

I quickly darted away from the door, but not quick enough, Damn!

She saw me, and gave a nice "Hello!" I totally acted like I had not heard her. I went very quickly back to the front desk and explained that the current nurse on duty in the blood work lab could not draw my blood; I think I actually called her "Satan incarnate with a needle".

The desk lady was a hoot - she barely even flinched before launching into action. She acted all conspiratory and told me the weekend phlebotomist was new, so she didn't' know her track record. She suggested I have a seat out of sight and she would get the head nurse.

It took only a moment, and a very nice, very down-to-business lady, we'll call her Blondie came out to take care of me. I explained that I didn't want a confrontation, but Satan-lady was not allowed to touch me.

Blondie is strong I tell ya! She walked VERY purposefully to the blood work lab, sat me in a chair, and handed me the necessary forms. Then, she turns to Satan-lady and say "Hi, I'm Blondie, don't believe we've met - I'm the head nurse.".

BAM! BLAM! She's like Batman coming to my rescue... No confrontation, no argument, no questions. It was marvelous!!!

AND she's good! She got me on the 1st try! She's an Angel. I was literally floating on clouds when I left.

I avoided Satan, got only one stick, and still met protocol. Damn, I'm good!!!!

I love it when a plan comes together...

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Update to this post... Kathy left a comment, and rightly so, that a nurse and phlebotomist are not the same thing. I have to admit, I did not give the difference one though while I was writing. She is absolutely correct. Added to that, I am not really sure if Satan-lady is a phlebotomist or a nurse - I never asked her. Granted, I was trying to pass out (to get away from the situation) so I wasn't inquiring into her credentials, but it was insensitive of me not to realize and take into account that there is a difference. Thanks, Kathy!!!!

5 comments:

Kris said...

Good for you! It's bad enough to be a victim to our own infertility, but dealing with Satan-lady- no way!

Kit Fur Cat said...

Well done!

It's great you struck an angelic nurse to off set "Satan".

Hope all goes well.

Gil said...

Wheee! Glad to hear that this went so much better. I'm glad you stuck to your guns. Good for you. Now, care to send this angel my way for my CD3 and 23 bloodwork?! Hmm? Pretty please??

Unknown said...

OK. I feel for you. No one should have to be stuck that many times for blood (No matter how hard the patient is, I have a 3 stick rule, cause if I don't get you in 3 sticks.... ain't nobody gonna get you. Call the surgeon.)

BUT.... The phlebotimist that drew your blood is NOT a NURSE. She maybe had 3 months of on the job training, whereas an RN has closer to 4 years!! Please don't lump all healthcare workers together. Nurses get a bad enough rap as it is!
And it was a nurse who saved you.....

Good luck with this cycle

Nearlydawn said...

Kathy - thanks for the correction on the nurse/phlebotomist thing. I did not give the difference one though while I was writing. You are absolutely correct.

Added to that, I am not really sure if the lady that does blood work is a phlebotomist or a nurse - I never asked her.

Granted, I was trying to pass out (to get away from the sitution) so I wasn't inquiring into her credentials. However, it is insensitive of me not to realize and take into account that there is a difference.

I'll update my post to take care of this mistake.

My apologies!

*bows head respectfully*