Thursday's Tale

Thursday was a repeat of Wednesday’s “Spring” weather, but colder. It was 17 degrees F. at 5:30 AM.

I left early and without breakfast or taking my pills, as I needed to have blood work done and had to fast. This was for my semi-annual checkup with my primary care physician. Now, normally she mails me the prescription and I take it into the little St. Mary’s lab on Farmington. But, this time, they just left me a voicemail on Tuesday, saying they had faxed it to the hospital.

So, on Wednesday, I called the lab and asked if they had it in their system and could I come in on Thursday. They said, no, now you have to go to St. Mary’s hospital. That’s not too bad, as it is just down the road from where I work.

So, I didn’t eat or drink anything after 7:00 PM on Wednesday. I also dressed for the occasion by wearing a short-sleeve shirt. I figured it was cold out, but at least I wouldn’t have to take my shirt off or try and roll up my sleeve.

I took my pills with me in a little pill box for afterwards and headed out about 7:10 AM. I went through the red tape portion in about 5 minutes (I’m on file) and waited another 10 minutes (there were only two people ahead of me).

My nurse (a lovely young woman from India, with a charming accent) repeatedly tried to find a suitable vein on either arm. I appreciated the fact that, unlike most, she didn’t try exploring with a needle, just her finger. I usually have two or three bruises from trial blood draws.

But, I didn’t appreciate it when she said she would just take it from my hand! I condemned myself to a short sleeve shirt all day on the coldest day of the week for that?

So, she skillfully took blood from my hand. Then she said she needed a urine sample. Now, I’m no slouch in the peeing department. I do it more than most, truth be told. But, not after not drinking anything for 12 hours! It seemed I was in that bathroom with the water running, trying to imagine waterfalls, etc., FOREVER!

I finally managed to give her less than a tablespoon, but she said that was enough. Whew!

I ate a granola bar at work for breakfast as there was no time to get a sandwich from McDonald’s (my original idea). Then I took my pills.

I went to the Time Out for my Lenten fish lunch. Then I went down Plymouth Road to a new antique shop (or at least new to me – I just spotted it the other day). I checked everything out and saw quite a few things I would like, but most were too expensive (a beautiful old set of hand carving tools, for example). But I did find an apothecary bottle with a glass stopper, which I don’t have, and bought it for $5.00.

Back home after work, I went through the usual routines and then washed the apothecary bottle and stopper. I put them in the dishwasher, where they would be safe while they air-dried.

Jake called and we caught each other up. His stories (interesting events regarding work, motorcycle rides, etc.) were way better than mine (stupid clock).

I warmed up the last Parmesan crusted chicken thigh and the rest of the wild rice for dinner.

I cleaned up the few dishes and then watched TV until bedtime.

Sidebar to Tirami Sue: I watched two taped NCIS reruns and one new taped DIY show (Rehab Addict). BTW, you spelled your name wrong when you commented.