So I have a doctor’s appointment. It’s not anything major—just one of the many appointments that have become part of my life. In fact this one is even less significant than most others. I just need to go in and have some blood drawn. Maybe I’ll get a chance to tell the nurse who does it a stupid joke like, “Hey, instead of drawing my blood why not take a picture?” Or maybe I won’t. Medical professionals are like everybody else: sometimes the jokes work, sometimes they don’t. Almost eight years ago I had to go in for major surgery, and before I went in one of the doctors asked me, “Do you have any questions?” So I said, “Yeah, will I be able to play the piano after this?”* The doctor just shook her head and said, “I’ve heard that one.”
Maybe it’s just as well. Surgery requires a steady hand and I wouldn’t want my doctor to start laughing while they were getting ready to slice me open.
Anyway my appointment was scheduled for late in the afternoon. It would almost be time for me to leave work, even after factoring in the drive time from home to the doctor’s office. But, even with the holidays, I’m about to hit the limit on my accumulated leave time. I realize this isn’t something to complain about and that most people aren’t so lucky. Anyway I thought, hey, why not just leave work at noon? Then I can hang around the house, maybe get some laundry done, and try to be at least a little less nervous before my appointment. It doesn’t matter how simple or routine it is. I get nervous before any medical appointment, especially one where I know going in I’m going to be jabbed with a needle.
Then I remembered it’s Monday. Monday is the day I go into the office. My office that’s just a few blocks from the office where my appointment is.
Well, at least that cuts down on the drive time and gives me time to take a walk and try to relax before I go get jabbed with a needle.
*If you don’t know this one the joke is a guy about to go into surgery asks his doctor, “Will I be able to play the piano after this?” The doctor says, “I don’t see why not.” The guy says, “Great, because I can’t now.”
Well, Chris, I had my blood drawn on Thursday at my annual PCP visit during a break in the middle of a very busy work day. I wish I had read this earlier so I could have used that joke. Luckily, I got a very skilled phlebotomist (I have very tricky veins), so I think she would have still done a good job even if she were laughing. And I’m happy to report that I can play piano now.
ANN J KOPLOW recently posted…Day 3645: No worries
I’ve always been in awe of your musical skill, and now I’m glad you got a skilled phlebotomist. When someone has to draw my blood or give me a shot and they do a really good job of it I always say, “I can tell you’ve done this before.” But I’m also lucky to have good veins, or so I’ve been told. You, on the other hand, have a special heart, and that’s something to be proud of.
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