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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

...and I'll supply the entertainment.

After completely disregarding my vow to simplify my life, I scheduled both my annual physical and blood donation on the same day.  I was up at the crap of dawn (as Kay would have said) - my usual time of rising - tried to focus on things other than I could not have even one cup of coffee, spent some time on my latest knitting project (to be revealed), and fed the dogs early.  As soon as it was lightish, I battled my way to the sheep feeder with their winter grain ration (it's like wading through bumper cars), then threw some hay in their feeder.  I did chicken chores, took a 5 minute shower and left the house at 7:30 for my 8:15 appointment.  Luckily, the only traffic on the road at that hour were feed trucks, milk trucks and me.  It helped that it was a holiday - no school buses!

I like everything about my doctor's office except for the fact that they are as cheap as I am with the heat.  Geez.  My doctor and her staff are the polar opposites of the doctor I had been going to for years.  Laid back, open to suggestion, willing to take as much time as needed to talk to you, let you babble on, do not force medication on you.  The only drawback is that the laid back attitude sometimes leaches into the checkout system.  I was standing, slumped against the wall (fasting will do that to you), waiting for a very elderly woman to finish checking out.  Who couldn't hear well and was, apparently, accompanied by her loud, bossy daughter.  Who, apparently, felt that NONE of us could hear well.  I was finally saved by one of the check IN ladies and was given my paperwork for the lab.  After my brief and mostly pain-free visit to Mrs. Dracula, I was off for the day.  Except for the six errands between the doctor's office and home.

I pulled up the driveway with just enough time to let the dogs out and have a quick bite (and a cup o' joe or three) before doing some quick house cleaning and heading out to the local firehouse for my appointment for the blood drive.  I have to say that the folks who work these blood drives are very nice.  They are efficient, friendly and professional.  As I jabbered along with Stephanie, my check-in (adorable) young woman, I learned that she had a grandmother who had raised sheep, sheared them and had won numerous awards for her knitted blankets.  As I lay supine on the cot, squeezing my squeeze ball, I contemplated the level of filth on the ceiling fan blades.  I listened to bad music and the babbling of voices around me.  It was rather nice to have down time and do something good at the same time.

Steven (a gentle, bearded giant), unhooked me and made sure I was good to toddle over to the snacks and drink table, which was manned by a pair of slightly disinterested high school seniors - this drive being part of the community service duty.  I sat on my folding chair, chatting with the town supervisor (who I caught breaking his no-carb diet with a few - dozen - packets of cheese crackers).  Then I felt slightly lightheaded.  I figured it would pass and it did, sort of.  As in pass out.  Next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor with my feet elevated, gazing into the worried face of the giant.  Well, that was different.  After a few minutes, we tried it again, and I was now sitting at the table with a pair of less disinterested high school seniors.  In fact, they looked downright alarmed.  A few minutes later?  Rinse, wash, repeat.  This time, Steven slowly and gently, but firmly guided me back to a cot, where I got to contemplate the mummified flies clinging to the fringe on the flag of NYS.  He would not take my word that I was okay - not that I blame him.  Another fifteen minutes pass and I am starting to flop like a beached fish because I want down.  He practically carried me back to the snacks table where I promised to down two bottles of water and a container of juice.  By then, I was down to one alarmed high school senior who turned out to be delightful.  We had a grand time discussing colleges, traveling, school sports, and girls.

When I was finally allowed to leave on my own power, I turned to the young fellow and asked if he was doing this for community service credit.  He said that, yes, he was and it had been really, really boring until I turned up.

35 comments:

RuusVerd said...

Passing out is always so embarrassing. When I was an undergrad I passed out due to low blood sugar in the middle of a pen of very large, very agitated, very pregnant ewes. I woke up with sheep poop in my hair and my professor in my face complaining that I was distracting the other students and, more importantly, upsetting the ewes. I blame him for my "sheep are always first" priorities.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Oh my. I have one daughter who passed out after a nurse drew blood,and it was a quick draw for some tests. Glad you are okay. As always, you make your story end with a good laugh.

Susan said...

My gawd! You could have been trampled! I am very thankful for Steven, as my head could have cracked like an egg, if he hadn't been so vigilant - glad you survived (no thanks to your professor).

Susan said...

Kristina, that's the interesting part. It doesn't phase me at all to have my blood drawn. As long as I don't look.

Mama Pea said...

Do ya think this might be some kind of an indication you should SLOW DOWN??! Actually, I'm betting your fasting before your physical had a lot to do with your system being a little on the faint side. (Pun, obviously, intended.)

You sure do tell a good story and supplied the high schooler with one to tell for some time.

Susan said...

Mama Pea - I dunno. Do you THINK!?! :) Yes, I'm taking myself in hand and forcing quiet time. I have to say that, given I do not spend any time with people under 20, it was very enjoyable.

Susan said...

Is the gentle giant date worthy?

Laurie said...

Lol! Your stories crack me up! I fainted once, after giving blood....I think that's why I find your story so funny. No, I take that back......I find all your stories funny. Glad you didn't crack your head open!

Unknown said...

All of this is leaving me slightly queazy for my planned fasting blood test tomorrow.

Yee gads woman, you really didn't think it through did you? I am no better. A 12 hour fast is required so I confidently chiroed that "that's ok, I don't eat breakfast" completely forgetting I rise at 4.45am and now the appointment is at 12.40pm.

With no coffee in my system, it's going to be a VERY long morning tomorrow.

Unknown said...

Chiroed = chirped Damn you keypad.

Susan said...

Alas, he's a very young giant...

Susan said...

I'm glad I'm in good company!

Susan said...

Hang in there, Beverley! Try herbal tea - it ain't much but it's hot....good luck tomorrow!

Susan said...

LOL!

hoosier girl said...

That took me back to years ago when, during a family vacation, my 15 year old daughter wondered off in a mall and we found her 2 hours later, woozy. She'd decided to give blood because there was a "cute doctor" at the entrance to the blood drive. Needless to say, that day got cut short. It's funny now. :)
Glad you survived!

Sue said...

SO glad you are ok. Sounds like you put a little too much on your plate. You're such a good person , though, so I doubt you'll slow down. But be careful. And eat some cookies and drink some ......juice?
Homemade, maybe. Teehee

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

As Mama Pea stated, I'm sure the blood fasting had a lot to do with what happened today. I have a tendency of passing out if I don't eat properly and it's too hot. Apparently, I'm hypoglycemic and have to be careful.
Thank you for giving blood, someone will need it in time :-)

jaz@octoberfarm said...

you are just pure excitement!!!

DDD said...

Very entertaining!!
In addition to your one pint of donated blood, you also lost blood to
Mrs. Dracula.
Please try put some distance between Dracula and donation.

Suz said...

I could see it all. Snicker

Michelle said...

Shaking my head.... ;-)

Susan said...

That is such a hoot! He must have been quite a looker for her to give blood!

Susan said...

Sue - I always have such good intentions (of slowing down) but I seemed to be hardwired in the opposite direction. I'm working on it.

Susan said...

Sandy - Same here. I can't spend too much time out in the heat or I get very woozy.

Susan said...

Ain't I, though?

Susan said...

DDD - I think quite a bit of distance is the key!

Susan said...

Suz - I can't wait to hear how fast it goes through the grapevine. In my town, you don't tell a woman, you tell a man and they shoot it around the village like wildfire. Guess they don't have enough to do... hehe.

Susan said...

:)

Fiona said...

Your life is never dull! You made their day by getting their adrenaline going.....you should be soundly spanked though...Fasting and donating blood....sigh! Silly girl!

Florida Farm Girl said...

Fasting for annual blood work before giving blood? Dear girl!! Glad you were able to liven up their day.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I do hope your fainting thing is over. Fasting is impossible if you work hard, this I know. Try eating chocolate macaroons and running to stretch class after your chores. Never mind that made me almost pass out too.
YOU ALWAYS make me laugh. Thanks for that. HUG B

Janice Grinyer said...

LOL Well, if you can't be an excellent example, then a horrible warning will do!

Dont worry, thats my life motto too. But on the bright side, it sounds like you made A LOT new "friends" !

Jenyfer Matthews said...

That made me laugh - though I'm assuming the HS kids were not!

Casa Mariposa said...

Sounds like your blood sugar was way too low! Orange juice, water and cookies for you! I'm glad you're ok and were well taken care of. But a cold doctor's office? No way! That's what heaters are for!

small farm girl said...

I have to admit, I'm a chicken when it comes to giving blood. But with that being said, I can't give it anyway. Meds.