HYDRATE

 For years now, I've been taking a drug called Warfarin, which is a blood thinner.

That requires me to have a blood sample taken every four weeks.

It used to be simple, just a quick finger stick and a drop of blood taken.

But then the labs here quit using the finger stick and instead insist on sticking a needle into your arm and drawing out a larger quantity of blood.

So today, I went to have my monthly blood draw and here's what happened.

My bandaged left arm . . Old Faithful, as I call it.

Except today while the nurse hit the vein right off, the blood didn't come in a quantity that she needed.

So, the right arm got pierced, as well.

That one got enough blood to satisfy the lab personnel.

I've been having these tests done for so long the piercing actually doesn't bother me all that much.

But if you fear needles let me advise you, as the nurses do me, drink lots of water the day before your blood test.

Actually we're supposed to drink lots of water every day.

So do it.

And wear your mask.

That's today's medical lesson from Doctor Catalyst.