Blood, blood, blood, blood, blood . . .

I went into the doctor's this morning for my medical exam. I am amazed at what the U.S. Department of State wants to know about the inner workings of my body. I had to have so much blood drawn that I'm surprised I have enough left in my body to run. There are 7 different blood tests that they have to run, and some of those tests needed more than one vial of blood.
But, I've jumped ahead of my story. My appointment was for 9:30 this morning. I went, did the customary waiting after I got there, and then was taken back for the pre-doctor examination stuff. You know what I'm talking about. How is it that doctor's office's scales are always 5 pounds heavier than home scales? Do they do that on purpose so you feel fat when you go in? Luckily, I attributed my extra pounds to the extraordinary amount of junk food I've been eating while traveling.
I don't want to get in to all the details, but lets just say that the examination included everything EXCEPT a mammogram and a colonoscopy (and for that I am EXTREMELY grateful), but only because I am not 50 years old. If I was 50, the exam would have included both of those. Oh, I lied, I also did not have to give a stool sample (also because I am not 50). Are they perhaps trying to dissuade older people from entering the foreign service? I wouldn't be surprised. Or perhaps it is only to dissuade those in advanced years who are not determined enough to go through that kind of insanity.
I had to have a chest x-ray (that was my first) and then I spent a large amount of time waiting. Apparently I was forgotten because I waited a long time. They hadn't drawn my blood yet, or done my TB test, but there I was waiting. By this time it was after 11. Finally the nurse who first assisted me, noticed that I was waiting. She said, "Are you still here?" Obviously I was, but I still answered, "Yes." She apologized and explained that things were crazy. I asked about the blood tests, she said that I needed to be fasting (luckily I figured this out before I went, so I had skipped breakfast) and was suprised when I told her that that wasn't a problem. She got everything ready and took me back to have blood drawn. That was when we discovered that I was going to have to go to the hospital for my blood tests. So, the nurse was going to do the TB test, but they aren't going to be open on Saturday due to Memorial Day being Monday. That means I have to go back on Tuesday for my TB test.
I was about to leave when the nurse stopped me. She gave me a gift basket because of the long amoung of time I spent there. (It was then after 11:30, meaning I was there for more than 2 hours). I thought that was nice.
Then I drove up to the hospital. Since I was already fasting, I figured that would be best. Plus, I really just want to have all this done so I can fax in the paperwork and get on with my life.
That took a while. As already mentioned, they had to draw a lot of blood. I didn't count them all, but I think there were 8 or 9 vials. I think my arm is going to be bruised.
Finally, after I was drained (not only of blood), I was able to leave. I ran some errands before coming back to my apartment. That was when I took the picture included with this post. I look tired, but that's because I was. Notice the hospital bracelet, and I'm holding my gift basket.