Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Lily Livered Coward

That's me. I went to work last night at 11pm with a plan. I was to fast until quttin' time (0730), with occasional sips of water allowed, then drive across the street to the lab my doc uses to have my yearly blood work drawn.

By two a.m., I was asking things like, "Would a Tic-Tac count as eating?"

But I made it through until almost seven, when the parents of a patient showed up with Dunkin Doughnuts and coffee.

Even then, I resisted temptation. (Although I did accidently lick the frosting off my fingers as I was packing up a couple of 'to-go' doughnuts.)

I get to the lab, they are practically empty and while I'm waiting a phlebotomy student comes in to do her clinical work. With the lady drawing my labs. Man. I'm stitting there in the little chair, my arm strapped down (I'm not THAT bad), while she explains everything to the student and I know I should offer to let the student stick me. I mean, some-one allowed me to plunge a hollowed out razor sharp chunk of steel through their flesh for the first time at some point in my education.

But I'm a baby. Really. A whimpering whining anxious baby about needles. I don't think I could have taken it with out fainting or screaming or crying or something. Then the student would have felt bad and maybe quit school then she'd be living in poverty her whole life, just because of me.

So, hey, maybe I did her a favor. That's it. I'm not a coward, I'm a hero!


Loki sez: Excuse me, but did you mention doughnuts?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm with you. You did her a HUGE favor! Now she'll stay in her program.

I'm whimpy about needles too. A lily-livered coward about covers it.