My Traumatic Blood Drawing Experience
Posted on October 8, 2011 by Ching under Health.
Check out my uber cool wrist wrap from last Tuesday.
They had to draw blood from my hand because I have super tiny veins. After sticking me twice in the arm and digging around in there, they still couldn’t hit the vein. I’m glad my eyes were closed (getting blood drawn freaks me out so I always close my eyes) the entire time because Brian said that they were rooting around with the needle stuck to my arm, moving it this way and that to try to get one of my veins. That would have totally freaked me out. Anyway, after getting stuck in the arm twice in vain, I finally just offered to have them stick my hand instead. That did the trick. Blood flowed and filled the large tube. This is my usual experience whenever I get my blood drawn, so if you’re wondering why I’m such a baby about it. This is why.
Although, when Angelita drew my blood a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t feel a thing. She’s amazing. She spent several minutes trying to locate a vein to make sure that she didn’t have to root around with the needle. Sure enough, she only stuck me once and hit vein on the first try. It was over before I even knew what happened. I was like, “Wow. That was easy.” I wish all my blood drawing experiences were like that.
When they were having so much trouble on Tuesday, I almost called it quits and rescheduled for a time when Angelita was available. It was after 5 PM by the time we got done meeting with Dr. Zayour (Brian kept asking questions) so Angelita had already packed up for the day. They ended up sending me to different lab. It was in the same building. I think it was their after hours lab or something. The ladies there were nice and all, but the experience was quite traumatic nonetheless. I don’t want anyone else but Angelita to draw my blood in the future.
Anyway, here’s what we found out from the thyroid sonogram. My entire thyroid is enlarged, although only the enlargement of the right lobe is obvious. The left lobe of my thyroid is probably 2 to 3 cm larger than a normal, healthy left lobe. The right lobe is about twice the size it should be. It is very, very enlarged. It’s amazing that it’s not affecting my swallowing or breathing for as big as it is. Anyway, part of what’s making it enlarged is that it’s got a gigantic nodule that is about the size of my left thyroid lobe (yes, that big) that is filled with mostly liquid and some tissue. There’s also a smaller nodule (compared to the major nodule, but still relatively large in size) below it. This one I think is mostly solid. My left thyroid lobe has lots of little nodules, but they are nowhere near the size of the two major ones. I think there is a bunch of them, though.
I believe the next step is to determine if these nodules are cancerous. The doctor wanted to do my scan this week, but we postponed it to the 20th and 21st because I’m traveling. Apparently the stuff they give you for the scan stays in your system for a while and will light you up on the TSA scanners. He said I might get detained or hassled at the airport because they’ll think I’m smuggling some sort of bomb. They’ve had it happen before and the airport security had to call the doctor’s office and they had to explain to security that the individual just had this procedure done, etc. etc. It was all pretty crazy to me. Since I’m leaving for Nashville on Tuesday, I figured that it would be best to just wait until after I return. I really don’t want to take any chances.
I think we’re just going to take things one at a time and figure out what to do next after we get the next set of results. I know what my options are though, and I know that everything will be okay. Can you tell I’m an optimist? Brian said I might have to apply for FMLA at work, but I’m trying to put that off. So far we’ve been able to schedule my appointments (the two that I’ve had) at 4 PM so it doesn’t disrupt my work day. I told him that, if it comes down to it, and I have to start missing a lot of work, then I might have to do that. We’re okay so far, though. I mean, come on. You’re talking about the girl who switched to a dental office that is open on Saturdays so that I can schedule my dental visits on the weekends and not have to take time off from work. I’m really bad about using my vacation hours instead of sick leave, too. I almost always end up taking a day of vacation whenever I’m too sick to go to work.
I’m actually thinking of buying a week of vacation next year in anticipation of doctor’s appointments. I used to buy vacation when I was in school because I used vacation time whenever I had to stay home and study for an exam or work on class projects. I haven’t bought any vacation the last few years though (since I finished grad school in 2008). I treat my sick leave like it’s money, always saving for a rainy day. Even though, I’ve always considered myself healthier than average (I rarely get sick) and never thought that day would actually come. It sounds like I might actually have to take a few sick days in the coming months. Good thing I have a gazillion.
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The Dills’ Delightful Visit
Posted on October 5, 2011 by Ching under Food and Drink.
The Dills were in town over the weekend. They came over on Monday night for dinner and drinks. Brian made this “Dilly Delight” dip in their honor. We thought it was fitting. Anyway, we sent some home with them.
We got dinner started late so we munched on some cheese, crackers and dip while we waited. Brian made chicken and rice pilaf. It was yummy. I ate way too much.
I mixed some pineapple juice and 90 proof coconut rum in a pitcher. Jay, Becca and I drank pretty much all of it. Jay drank some beer too. I think eating way too much at dinner and the pineapple concoction almost made me pass out. I propped my feet up on the hassock when we were hanging outside on the patio, though. The weather was perfect. They were drinking and smoking cigars. I was mostly just trying to keep from falling into a food coma. LOL.
Thanks for the visit, Jay and Becca! We really enjoyed catching up! Can’t wait until you guys are back for good. We miss you!
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Beautiful Sunday
Posted on October 4, 2011 by Ching under Family.
We had a wonderful dinner at mom and dad’s on Sunday. Mom made tons of Filipino food, which I love, love love! I ate so much that night that when I weighed in at the doctor’s office at 123 lbs this afternoon, I wasn’t surprised. Whenever there’s Filipino food around, I can’t help but go for seconds and thirds.
I can’t wait to hit the gym tomorrow for Zoe’s group power class and Gina Ann’s Zumba fitness class so I can get this weightloss trainwreck back on track.
But I digress, mom turns another year on Thursday so be sure to greet her happy birthday! I would tell you how old she is, but you won’t believe me. Mom looks fantastic! I hope that I age as gracefully as she does when I’m older.
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Viega Paintball Outing 2011
Posted on October 1, 2011 by Ching under Events.
I consulted my What to Wear, Where: The How-to Handbook for Any Style Situation
Here’s what I ended up wearing…
It was really hard to move in over-sized clothes. The jeans weren’t too bad when I first put them on but, an hour later, they were practically falling off me. I should have taken Brian’s advice and worn a belt.
As hot as I was in my multiple layers, I bet Brian was burning up. He had on a pair of jeans, a short-sleeved shirt layered on top of a long-sleeved shirt and then a tanker suit over all of that. I have to say though, without him losing all of that weight, I don’t think he could have fit in the tanker suit with regular clothes on underneath it. Brian looked fabulous in his tanker suit. He looked like a serious paintball player.
Here’s a pregame photo of the guys who are seriously into paintball that they’re all dressed in camo. Below is a photo of Brian and Jordan.
Now this is something that I’ve never seen before…
Playing paintball in formal wear. I have to admit, it’s very creative. Might have to try it next year! (Found out later that they decided to dress up for paintball in honor of Brandon’s – not in the photo – wedding that evening.)
A bunch of people chatting in the “dead box” in between games.
The obligatory “Brian and Ching” self-portrait.
This hit isn’t as bad as one of the other ones you’ll see later.
Playing paintball arouses Brian. LOL!
Brandon got Brian really good in the neck. The welt, which looks like a huge hickey, actually started bleeding.
I got pretty dirty this year because I actually played. Unlike the last outing a couple of years ago when I just hung out and took photos.
I can’t wait to see the video footage that Christian captured on his action cam!
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Holiday Galleria
Posted on October 1, 2011 by Ching under Events, Zumba.
Overheard at Holiday Galleria today…
ME: It sure was nice of that guy to throw in an extra package of artichoke dip mix for us.
BRIAN: That’s because I was flirting with him earlier.
ME: Were you really?
BRIAN: No. [pause] He was flirting with me.
LOL. Leave it to Brian. Anyway, I’m so glad that he went with me this afternoon because I couldn’t find anyone else to go with me. It’s the least he could do since I did go to paintball with him this morning. I didn’t want the pass that Gina Ann gave me (for helping out with the Zumba demo last night) go to waste. Of course, by going, I ended up spending money that I should not have spent and would not have spent otherwise. Ugh. We all have to do our part to support the economy, though. =P
Speaking of last night… It was so much fun! I’m so glad Gina Ann invited me. That has got to be the most fun volunteer work I have ever done in my entire life! We were basically helping out the Junior League (Holiday Galleria) by doing the Zumba demo. Gina Ann was one of the “entertainment sponsors” and Stephanie, Andrea and I were her backup dancers. I think more people would do volunteer work if it meant just dancing around for hours on end. LOL.
Here are some pictures of the girls backstage, before we started…
We did two Zumba demos. The first one was at 5:15 pm and then the second one was at 6:00 pm. We figured we would get sweaty after the first round so we brought our “Party Hearty” tanks to change into.
Chef Jason was there too so I made sure to get a photo with him.
We also got to hobnob with the sexy firefighters. Woot!
Best volunteer gig ever! Thank you, Gina (and Junior League)!
I look uncomfortable in this photo because I was startled. All of a sudden my feet were off the ground. Totally unexpected. I think had I known what was going on, I could have at least posed. =P
The firefighters put on a really good show. We all had to buy calendars to support their cause. We even tried to win the dinner that they were auctioning off. LOL.
Another photo with Chef Jason! His cooking demo was funny. Of course, he has a great sense of humor. I had so much fun last night. I think the free margaritas and daiquiris helped. I had one glass during the intermission and I think three more afterwards. I wasn’t driving, though.
I didn’t get to do much shopping last night. Thus, the need to return this afternoon. I had a free pass, but we had to pay $8 to get Brian in. It benefits the Junior League though, so it’s all good. He got a lot of compliments for going with me. I think he was only one of a handful of men there who are not vendors. Brian is the best hubby ever! Even though he flirts with the vendors on occasion. =P
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