Blood Work
After a 2 year hiatus from college, I will be returning next month to continue my studies, taking night courses to increase my credits and push my way towards graduating with my bachelors degree in Visual Communication. It’s been both a personal goal of mine and something my family supports to the upteenth percent. However, the process towards continuing my education has been interesting to say the least.
First and foremost, all colleges require that your immunities be up to date. It’s obvious why this is important due to the fact that hundreds upon thousands of students cross paths throughout the day. Therefore, there is always going to be a handful of students with some form of a sickness. To prevent a mass outbreak of rubella students are required to have their immunities.
The Doctor informed me that they could check for immunities by examining my blood. Last week I walked into the “blood lab”, slumped my arm forward and cringed in fear because I hate needles. I informed the technician that I would be looking the other direction because it was my preference that I didn’t see the blood. At this point she literally jabbed the needle into the side of my arm. As I’ve described to friends and family it felt like someone had inserted the tip of steak knife into my skin. At that point my reflex to strike subsided because it’s against the law to smack around your medical support.
Yesterday I received word from the Doctor’s office that I needed booster shots. According to them, I was not immune to the measles or tuberculosis and the result of this is that I would need to get shots to bring my immunizations up to date. To recap, I’ve been stabbed in the arm for bloodwork and now I need someone to jam a needle, three or four times in my body, to bring me “up to code”. All this to simply continue my education? I certainly hope it’s worth the trouble.
11 Comments, Comment or Ping
Chad
Yeah, that’s just one of many hurdles to get into college, eh? Transcripts, money, shot records, birth certificate, and did I mention money? I had bloodwork done a few months ago, and I hated it; although my experience was not as wrenching as it sounds like yours was. But yes, it will be worth it. Sounds like you will be a busy (busier) man soon.
Aug 13th, 2004
Dad
I hope they stick you lots of times in the butt…with BIG, dull needles….that will make your brother laugh because he really knows about needles have what the Navy did to him in boot camp.
But for you….we shall pray.
* Great article, good luck with that needle/pain thing
love,
Dad
Aug 13th, 2004
Greg
That’s a funny story. I don’t care for needles either, but for some reason, I can’t force myself to turn away. In a similar way, I can’t turn away from the window on an airplane, even though I HATE to fly.
Your Dad sounds like my parents. Why not just use an elephant needle? I was subjected to some sort of needle butt torture as a kid, and I couldn’t walk the next morning. It’s hell trying to pull yourself into the living room to watch cartoons using only your upper half.
Aug 13th, 2004
kartooner
Chad: Luckily one of the hurdles I won’t have to leap over is the money issue. I’ve applied for financial aide and because I’m married and have a child to support I get 100% financial aide (books included in that deal).
All I have to take care of is the health services and parking fees.
Dad: I’d rather not experience the shot in the butt. It’s bad enough they stuck me this afternoon in both shoulders. It’s funny because the lady tried to talk me through it but it got to the point where I just said, “Let’s do this so I can get out of here. Honestly.”
Greg: When I fly I just imagine I’m looking at a miniature model. As if I’m in a simulator, otherwise my phobia of heights would kick into overdrive and that wouldn’t make for a pleasant experience for the crew and my family.
Watching cartoons pseudo-paralyzed in the butt, now that would suck. I miss Saturday Morning cartoons.
Aug 13th, 2004
Luc
Jeez, am i glad we don’t have that requirement here for entering university. I also went back to study after 15 years: 5 years of law school but i’m happy i didn’t need those shots again. Me and needles is like the proverbial water and fire :-)
Aug 13th, 2004
kartooner
Luc: Studying law, or are you already in that field?
Aug 13th, 2004
Chad
Parking fees? YIKES!! Me, I refuse to pay to park, so I park off-campus and walk about 2 blocks through a gorgeous 150+ year old cemetary. For me to park on campus (as a “staff” member) it’s around $150/year, then during the semester, I would have to get to work by 7.30 AM at the latest to actually get a spot. 7.30? Like that’s going to happen.
Aug 13th, 2004
kartooner
Chad: I have a hard time waking up at 7:30 in the morning for work, let alone for school. I remember taking one particular course (CIS, or Computer Information Systems) during a semester 2-3 years ago and grumbling over the fact that the class start time was 6:45am.
I can’t even remember what the heck the class was about. Goes to show you why courses should not start so early, it should be a university law.
Aug 14th, 2004
Luc
kartooner said:
Luc: Studying law, or are you already in that field?
Already in that field Erik
Aug 15th, 2004
kartooner
Luc: Okay then, what field? Criminal? Corporate? Spill the beans. I guess what I’m saying is I never knew you were in the field of law. It’s always interesting to learn something new about a person.
Aug 16th, 2004
Luc
kartooner said:
Okay then, what field? Criminal? Corporate? Spill the beans. I guess what I’m saying is I never knew you were in the field of law. It’s always interesting to learn something new about a person.
My goals were criminal and civil but because of the job i had at the moment (and still have) it became administrative law and labour law. Not the most exiting field huh.
Aug 23rd, 2004
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