The Fertility Journey: Me Vs. The Vampire

As everyone knows, when you're pregnant they send you for bloodwork. Not just a single vile, that would be too easy, but they have to drain every ounce out of you and then some. Since I've been "sick" forever, there really is no fear any longer with getting it done, it's just that it's still not the most pleasant thing in the world. I pass out at the sight of blood, always have and likely always will.

So I caved today and went for my bloodwork, since I had to take my son to get the blood levels of his anti-seizure medication (Depakene) anyway. I decided I was going to show my son what a brave person looked like when they were having their blood drawn, in hopes to avoid the screaming mess that might go along with taking blood from a 5 year old. I volunteered to go first. But first, I had to fill out a pre-natal screening form. The equivalent of being put on examination for all the world to see. They ask how many pregnanices you have had (I put down all the I know of which now equals 11) and how many live births you have had (1). Seeing the stats on paper was just enough to throw me for a major loop. But then the tech looked at me kinda odd when I handed it back to her and I simply said "I've had 9 miscarriages" (1 live birth + this pregnancy makes the grand total of 11). The room turned silent and I got looks of pity from everyone, great just what I needed to feel better (said with only a hint of sarcasm!).

We got called back and the 1st vampire tried three times to get blood from me. She pushed down on the veins hoping to draw blood out. No such luck. I almost passed out. While she called for vampire #2 to come take the blood from me, she moved on to Jacob. Well, crisis averted, he only said a loud "ouch" and then a "Thank you but I really didn't like that!". At least he can use his manners.

Vampire #2 came back and took my blood on the first try, thankfully or else my arm would look like swiss cheese. It's now hurting to the point of not being able to extend it, I'm guessing Vampire #1 might have gotten a bit lost in digging for veins which is why it's a lovely shade of purple and black. At least it matches how the rest of my body feels!

At least this round is done and out of the way. I lived to tell the tale of another trip to the vampire lab, at least for this round!