Silliness So what are you doing RIGHT NOW? - Page 436

vivaldirules · 07-21-2009, 09:34 AM

I give every 8 weeks. Trivial and painless. I can't think of an easier thing to do that's as helpful (theoretically), although you never get to know where it goes.

montsnmags · 07-21-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Right now on hold to plusnet, trying to work out what their hold music is.

Psst. iPhone app. Shazam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

I give every 8 weeks. Trivial and painless. I can't think of an easier thing to do that's as helpful (theoretically), although you never get to know where it goes.

They don't want mine.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 07-21-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montsnmags

Psst. iPhone app. Shazam.

I'd forgotten about that! Not got round to downloading it because I couldn't think when I'd use it...

lilac_jive · 07-21-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I had a blood test this morning - boy, that needle stung!

I've often thought about giving blood, and carrying a donor card; but the health service here are pretty vague on what they use your bits and pieces for. Trying to get meaningful information out of them is like getting blood out of a stone

.

I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK, but in the US (at least around here) blood donation companies are separate entities. The nice thing about this place is you know that your blood is being used locally. They supply only the local hospitals. Although I'd still probably do it if I didn't know, but it's nice knowing you're supporting your community.

Sparrow · 07-21-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

i hate getting blood tests, i've got a prescription for one which is over 6 months old because i just can't dig up the courage to take an appointment.

Aww, it doesn't really hurt - just a quick sting.

Imho, the worst part is going 12 hours without eating - dunno how I survived (although being in bed for 10 of them helped

).

But anyone who has a phobia of the implement they use has my sympathies, that must make things very difficult.

zelda_pinwheel · 07-21-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

Aww, it doesn't really hurt - just a quick sting.

hmph, i'd say that really depends on who does it. once i had a real ogre of a woman, she jabbed me quite hard with the needle and when i flinched she told me not to be such a baby !

Quote:

Imho, the worst part is going 12 hours without eating - dunno how I survived (although being in bed for 10 of them helped

).

that's another thing which makes it tricky for me, i have hypoglycemia, so if i go too long without eating i faint. and losing blood doesn't help matters at all, i can tell you.

Quote:

But anyone who has a phobia of the implement they use has my sympathies, that must make things very difficult.

that's the real problem for me. usually as long as i don't look i'm okay, but i really really really don't like it.

Verencat · 07-21-2009, 10:00 AM

To make blood tests easy, I always go there with one goal: make the nurse laugh. There are usually so mean looking, because they are so swamped with work, tired and working long hours! So when they take the needle out, I don't even see it because I'm chatting away!

Giving blood is trickier, because nurses never stay around, so I try to spot other donors that look pale and talk to them so they change their focus. It so much easier for me to just avoid the fact that my own blood is leaving my body!

LazyScot · 07-21-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK, but in the US (at least around here) blood donation companies are separate entities. The nice thing about this place is you know that your blood is being used locally. They supply only the local hospitals. Although I'd still probably do it if I didn't know, but it's nice knowing you're supporting your community.

In the UK, the National Blood Service is part of the NHS, the national health service. (I don't know of any other services that collect blood in the UK.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verencat

To make blood tests easy, I always go there with one goal: make the nurse laugh.

I go in with the goal of not passing out..... too many times. Me no like needles.....

RickyMaveety · 07-21-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I had a blood test this morning - boy, that needle stung!

I've often thought about giving blood, and carrying a donor card; but the health service here are pretty vague on what they use your bits and pieces for. Trying to get meaningful information out of them is like getting blood out of a stone

.

Back when I was working at Mammoth Lakes Hospital, I had to train the new phebotomy/lab assistants on how to draw blood. There is no good way to train someone except to have them practice on a real live person, so I acted as a test dummy for them.

There is nothing quite so interesting as talking some poor kid, with shaking hands, through sticking a needle in your arm. I'd sit there, reassuring them that they were not going to kill me, no matter how badly they cocked up the draw. At the worst, I'd end up with a bruise.

And, I'd tease them until they'd calm down, and get through their very first stick. Then, we'd go at it with the other arm.

I'd take them through proper tourniquet placement (most people put the thing on way too tight, which adds to the discomfort for the patient), palpation, disinfection, and needle placement (different for blood sample, iv, or blood donation).

The local lab types probably hate me, because I always show up with my own tourniquet (which cannot be over tightened) and critique their performance.

Oh, and PS: I should note that, at that time in history, Mammoth Lakes Hospital only had 15 beds. So, everyone more or less helped out doing damn near every job in the hospital. Except for the lady who cooked the lunches and dinners. She was a genius (especially when making strawberry rhubarb pie, the thought of which still makes me weep for not having any), a complete and total genius.

LazyScot · 07-21-2009, 12:30 PM

If we could talk about rhubarb crumble and custard, and not needles and blood, I'd be most appreciative....

RickyMaveety · 07-21-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LazyScot

If we could talk about rhubarb crumble and custard, and not needles and blood, I'd be most appreciative....

Don't tell me you are one of those big strong men who faints at the sight of rhubarb!!

I mean, blood.

yvanleterrible · 07-21-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Back when I was working at Mammoth Lakes Hospital, I had to train the new phebotomy/lab assistants on how to draw blood. There is no good way to train someone except to have them practice on a real live person, so I acted as a test dummy for them.

There is nothing quite so interesting as talking some poor kid, with shaking hands, through sticking a needle in your arm. I'd sit there, reassuring them that they were not going to kill me, no matter how badly they cocked up the draw. At the worst, I'd end up with a bruise.

And, I'd tease them until they'd calm down, and get through their very first stick. Then, we'd go at it with the other arm.

I'd take them through proper tourniquet placement (most people put the thing on way too tight, which adds to the discomfort for the patient), palpation, disinfection, and needle placement (different for blood sample, iv, or blood donation).

The local lab types probably hate me, because I always show up with my own tourniquet (which cannot be over tightened) and critique their performance.

Oh, and PS: I should note that, at that time in history, Mammoth Lakes Hospital only had 15 beds. So, everyone more or less helped out doing damn near every job in the hospital. Except for the lady who cooked the lunches and dinners. She was a genius (especially when making strawberry rhubarb pie, the thought of which still makes me weep for not having any), a complete and total genius.

That must have been quite an experience! Personnally I couldn't have done that without laughing my ass off... making them jitter even more.

RickyMaveety · 07-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

That must have been quite an experience! Personnally I couldn't have done that without laughing my ass off... making them jitter even more.

Now, now .... the idea was to calm them down, not give them terminal jitters.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 07-21-2009, 02:40 PM

I'm another one of those weirdos who has no problems with blood tests - I even watch. I have a tendency to chat and thank them afterwards too.

I also don't like rhubarb much - I think cos it was verrry badly cooked at school

ruth1304 · 07-21-2009, 02:54 PM

I'm an expert on having my blood taken, and after years of suffering I now give instructions. It annoys the staff, but it does save them a lot of time. I have to assure them that it is better to take blood from my right arm (some don't believe it until they've tried my left arm and then say "Oh, you were right!" as if they thought I was making it up for a joke).

I never used to eat rhubarb but was given some by friends who had too much growing in their garden and so made crumble - not with strawberry but with orange and ginger. It was great and I'm now converted to rhubarb, even considering growing my own next year!

07-21-2009, 09:34 AM	#6526
vivaldirules When's Doughnut Day? Posts: 10,059 Karma: 13675475 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston, TX, US Device: Sony PRS-505, iPad	I give every 8 weeks. Trivial and painless. I can't think of an easier thing to do that's as helpful (theoretically), although you never get to know where it goes.

07-21-2009, 10:00 AM	#6532
Verencat Wizard Posts: 2,615 Karma: 96491 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc Device: xxx	To make blood tests easy, I always go there with one goal: make the nurse laugh. There are usually so mean looking, because they are so swamped with work, tired and working long hours! So when they take the needle out, I don't even see it because I'm chatting away! Giving blood is trickier, because nurses never stay around, so I try to spot other donors that look pale and talk to them so they change their focus. It so much easier for me to just avoid the fact that my own blood is leaving my body!

07-21-2009, 12:30 PM	#6535
LazyScot DSil Posts: 3,201 Karma: 6895096 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hants, UK Device: Kindle, Cybook	If we could talk about rhubarb crumble and custard, and not needles and blood, I'd be most appreciative....

07-21-2009, 02:40 PM	#6539
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	I'm another one of those weirdos who has no problems with blood tests - I even watch. I have a tendency to chat and thank them afterwards too. I also don't like rhubarb much - I think cos it was verrry badly cooked at school

07-21-2009, 02:54 PM	#6540
ruth1304 Addict Posts: 394 Karma: 1546 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bristol, UK Device: Waiting for a kindle!	I'm an expert on having my blood taken, and after years of suffering I now give instructions. It annoys the staff, but it does save them a lot of time. I have to assure them that it is better to take blood from my right arm (some don't believe it until they've tried my left arm and then say "Oh, you were right!" as if they thought I was making it up for a joke). I never used to eat rhubarb but was given some by friends who had too much growing in their garden and so made crumble - not with strawberry but with orange and ginger. It was great and I'm now converted to rhubarb, even considering growing my own next year!