Once, twice - Three times....

Had some blood work done today.

I am starting to lose hope in the medical field after the last few weeks.

I had to fast for 12+ hours. So when I show up this morning at 9:10 I am hungry and ready to be done.

Have I mentioned I am not fond of needles?

Well anyway - she pokes me once...not too bad. Blood starts to run. Then STOPS. GRRR....she wiggles the needle...taps the vial and determines it's a bad tube. Puts on a new tube.

Blood starts to run again. Then stops AGAIN! Now I am irritated. So she taps the bottle. She wiggles the needle. What next? Try the other arm? OH NO - she JAMS the needle up my arm. I wince in pain. Have I mentioned I don't like needles?

So by this time (hungry, thirsty and violated with a needle) I am starting to get a wee bit - faint. So she tells me she isn't comfortable continuing.

SCREW THAT. You are getting what you came for lady. Do what you have to do. Get that damn blood. I am NOT doing this again next week.

So she moves me to a room with a bed.

Pokes me again - and the blood starts to run. THEN STOPS AGAIN.

By this time I have had about all I can take. Get it over with. Get what you can.

So she wiggles the needle - pokes me again (I think) and gets enough.

It's been a long day.

Urgh.

Where or where has Chepner gone????

In and out of the doctor....much fun.

I have come to realize that some doctors have the bedside manner of a bull in a china shop. (That's a Mama Chep phrase!)

Why - I ask does a PhD in medicine allow you to approach everything with absolutely no feeling? I have spent the last few weeks trying to overcome the visits to the doctor and find a way to digest the information with a positive spin. Needless to say - it's taking time.

I am sorry that I have been neglecting all of you.

I appreciate all of your kind words and your concerns. I just haven't had the mindset to put anything "on screen" if you will.

This has been a very long and hard road - and it could take awhile for me to get "back in the groove" but I will - I promise.

In the meantime - thanks for checking in on me - I'll be back with more soon.

OH and in the meantime - be sure to save your Boxtops!

When you have some to send please send them to:

Chepner's Boxtop Challenge
PO Box 9792
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404