Fun at the lab

Yesterday was just as fun as a barrel full of monkeys. I went in for my extended glucose screening which started the night before with nothing to eat or drink.

I had to wait in line to sign in at the lab, which was unusual until I realized it was Rosh Hashanah and kids were out of school. So every kid that needed a sports physical or blood drawn for any reason was there.

They took my initial baseline blood about 20 mins. after my appointment time. Which, considering how busy they were was impressive.

After about another 20 mins. I still hadn't been given the flat soda stuff to drink so I went up and asked. They had to get my baseline back from the hospital first before they gave me the stuff to drink. Just sit down, they'll call me.

Another 20 mins. and they call me up. "We're trying to find your lab slip." After seeing the tape on my arm..."Oh, they've already taken the first one and I guess we're waiting for the hospital now. Sorry, we'll call you when we hear from the hospital."

Another 20 mins. I went back up and asked if they'd heard anything at all. It was now 10 AM, my appointment was for 8:30, I haven't eaten anything since 8:30 the night before. I'm pregnant and just a little bit cranky. "No, we haven't heard from them. We'll call them since they haven't called us."

5 mins. later "They're running the test right now, we should have the results in a few minutes."

10 mins. later I get my bottle of flat, syrupy fruit punch. It was delicious.

Now my three hours begin, with a brief break every hour when they draw another vial of blood. I've already been at the lab for two hours at this point. I'm actually cheering in my head every time they call someone else back. One less person in the waiting room.

I brought a book with me, thankfully. And there was always the TV in the room. I have never tuned in on purpose to Regis & Kelly, or The View, or Martha Stewart. I certainly never will again.

Between my book and people-watching, the day passed, albeit slowly. I noticed a few particular people and one general sort of trend.

The particular ones:
A trio of women came in together. Only one had an appointment. All three took turns filling out and verifying the paperwork. All three were dressed oddly, as in kelly green t-shirt dress with pink Ugg boots, pink canvas bag, bright blue cardigan. All three were in their early 30s.

An entire family came in. Mom, dad, two sons. Dad and one son needed to have blood drawn. Son would not stay in the waiting room. He kept slipping away down the hall. When dad got called in, mom tried to take son in to watch. Presumably to see that it wasn't a big deal. As soon as dad was done, son took off. Son got called about 2 mins later. He was no where to be found. Mom chased him around the hall for a while. We all heard the tantrum. Son was about 11 years old, by the way. Dad went out to try and help. Entire family never reappeared. Son lost his turn in line.

Another mom came in with a 3 year old girl. Wasn't clear who the appointment was for until they went back. And the screams started. Heartbreaking screams. Especially when the "Mommy what are they doing to me?" turned into "Mommy don't do this to me!!"

The trend:
Mothers with girls in high school tended come with them to the appointment. The girls had on t-shirts with their high school on it. The moms all had a variant of a Vera Bradley bag, and so did the girls. Mom's was usually the big carryall, daughter's was the beensy clutch with just enough of a strap to slip up onto their shoulder.

I finally got to leave a little before 2. Five hours packed full of fun.

The result? My sugar's still too high. On to the special diet I go.