The place: the Empire’s on-site health center. The cast: starring ME, with supporting roles by three lab techs. The goal: enough blood for a CBC, BMP, and HgA1c. Three sticks. Three sites (left radial, right radial, left hand). Different tech for each stick. Total blood drawn: none.
Everyone was embarrassed and rather apologetic about it. They were all certain they were properly into the vein each time (lots of palpations and “I can feel the needle’s right where it’s supposed to be . . .”), but I wasn’t giving out any blood. After consideration, they concluded I might still be dehydrated after Monday’s round of GI upset, and my blood is approximating sludge at the moment. They sent me away with advice to hydrate myself more, then go to the contract lab and let them have a go.
Moo if the buckram has an oyster. Fnord.
