(no subject)
So I survived the blood tests. I mean that in more of an emotional sense than a physical one, because I'm pretty sure no one has died of a blood test. But I didn't cry and I didn't carry on to the point where I slowed the woman down. I did get a bit panicky at one point but I asked Steve to turn my music up, because apparently I'm incapable of working my MP3 player in a panic, and since I was having trouble focusing on my song I decided to sing it out loud. Yes it was probably weird but it helped a lot, and I'm sure everyone would rather I sing than cry. For what it's worth, my song is "Danny's Song" by Loggins and Messina. It's got such a strange calming effect on me. I've used it at the dentist, and when I've had a big argument with Steve, and whenever I needed to level my mood. It's beautiful. She used a butterfly needle too, which is something I'm going to ask for in future. Mum said they use them on the babies in the nursery. I don't care if it's for babies - if it gets the blood out with less pain then that's for me.
I think the most important thing for me was knowing that I had a plan. I made sure to get there at 7:45 so I was the first one in the queue and waiting time was minimal. It also gave me time to calm down a little bit once I'd arrived, because knowing I was there was a big thing. And I drank most of a 500 mL bottle of water and wore a faux-fur lined coat to make sure I was as hydrated and warm as I could be. She didn't even need me to pump my fist, my veins were that ready to go. I worked out where it was all going down and made sure to not look anywhere in that direction so I didn't see tourniquets or vials or needles. I had my music and my husband and my visualisation exercises, although the latter sort of went out the window. I think I need practice on that, but that will come. For now, I've done enough.
I don't feel like I'm cured by any means, but I do think I have experience to draw from and strategies I've seen can get me through with a minimum of fuss. And that's huge.
So I enjoyed hot chips for breakfast and bought a new jumper from Review ($44 down from $130 if you please!) and Steve made me pizza when we got home from the mall. And we watched some good TV and I drank the wine I'd missed so much, and we moved forward.
Just because I can't be bothered making a new post for it, if you're following my meal plans here's this week's serve:
Monday - Creamy Tuna and Pasta Bake (414 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/30053/creamy+tuna+pasta+bake)
Tuesday - Roast Chicken Drumsticks with Parsley and Garlic (249 calories - 2/3 of mix as we are having two drumsticks each)
(http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1566/roast-chicken-drumsticks-with-parsley-and-garlic)
Crispy Smashed Potato with Bacon (201 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/31181/crispy+smashed+potatoes+with+bacon)
Wednesday - Italian Meatloaf (411 calories)
(http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/531658/italian-meatloaf)
Asparagus with Basil Butter and Parmesan (75 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/24874/asparagus+with+basil+butter+parmesan)
Thursday lunch - Italian Meatloaf leftovers
Thursday dinner - Lasagna (Steve's working from home so we're having a treat night - I wanted to go out but in the interests of preserving cash this was our compromise.
Friday - Chicken and Bacon Filo Pies (313 calories)
(http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/recipes/2010/august/chicken-and-bacon-filo-pies)
I think the most important thing for me was knowing that I had a plan. I made sure to get there at 7:45 so I was the first one in the queue and waiting time was minimal. It also gave me time to calm down a little bit once I'd arrived, because knowing I was there was a big thing. And I drank most of a 500 mL bottle of water and wore a faux-fur lined coat to make sure I was as hydrated and warm as I could be. She didn't even need me to pump my fist, my veins were that ready to go. I worked out where it was all going down and made sure to not look anywhere in that direction so I didn't see tourniquets or vials or needles. I had my music and my husband and my visualisation exercises, although the latter sort of went out the window. I think I need practice on that, but that will come. For now, I've done enough.
I don't feel like I'm cured by any means, but I do think I have experience to draw from and strategies I've seen can get me through with a minimum of fuss. And that's huge.
So I enjoyed hot chips for breakfast and bought a new jumper from Review ($44 down from $130 if you please!) and Steve made me pizza when we got home from the mall. And we watched some good TV and I drank the wine I'd missed so much, and we moved forward.
Just because I can't be bothered making a new post for it, if you're following my meal plans here's this week's serve:
Monday - Creamy Tuna and Pasta Bake (414 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/30053/creamy+tuna+pasta+bake)
Tuesday - Roast Chicken Drumsticks with Parsley and Garlic (249 calories - 2/3 of mix as we are having two drumsticks each)
(http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1566/roast-chicken-drumsticks-with-parsley-and-garlic)
Crispy Smashed Potato with Bacon (201 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/31181/crispy+smashed+potatoes+with+bacon)
Wednesday - Italian Meatloaf (411 calories)
(http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/531658/italian-meatloaf)
Asparagus with Basil Butter and Parmesan (75 calories)
(http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/24874/asparagus+with+basil+butter+parmesan)
Thursday lunch - Italian Meatloaf leftovers
Thursday dinner - Lasagna (Steve's working from home so we're having a treat night - I wanted to go out but in the interests of preserving cash this was our compromise.
Friday - Chicken and Bacon Filo Pies (313 calories)
(http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/recipes/2010/august/chicken-and-bacon-filo-pies)