[timp]

Someone voted for me, is anyone going to admit that it was them?

[pjordan2000]

I had a vote and then it disappeared...

[Andy B]

I'm annoyed that they don't do the kids TV themes in Ramble every morning. I really liked that, trying to remember what they are. Can't do it now so I'm cross.

[Vivienne]

I'm annoyed because I'm in the chat room by myself, talking to myself. Where is everybody?

[Andy B]

Oh dear, first sign of madness.....

[Vivienne]

Are you going to come in the chatroom then?

[foot-loose]

Oh dear, first sign of madness.....

Not with Viv it's not!

[Ezza]

the fact that my teeth hurt so i can't eat properly and we still don't have any painkillers in this house, and my lack of energy prevents me from going to get any. i'd quite like to eat something decent today...

[pjordan2000]

the fact it isn't friday today!

[Andy B]

Seconded!

[Ezza]

i actually managed to eat today i'm happy now haha

[MK Chris]

I had to do my 'sofa' stint last night, M5 south bound was bumper to bumper.

3 HOURS!

I've just got back from Herne Bay (which is a shithole, don't ever go unless you have to. We made sure we knew where the place we needed to be was, then, as we had a bit of time, we went to find a cafe on the sea front.. there was only one open, which was like an ice cream parlour / cafe and the average age must have been about 97. I wouldn't like to pass comment on the combined age. Anyway, I digress) The M25 was bad coming back, as was the M1 for a time. I didn't drive though, well I only drove as far as my boss' house, she drove the rest of the way.

[Yudster]

I have a stinking cold. Ah-choo.

[Vivienne]

I have been for a blood test (grrrr). I don't think I like having a needle stuck into my arm. The nurse gave me a choice of arm (left or right!!) - like this would have made it less painful! At least it's all over now!!

[MK Chris]

Presumably, if you are left-handed, it would be sensible to choose the right arm (and vice versa), so that you can still do most things.

[Vivienne]

hmmm... you may have a point. I have chosen the right arm (and I am right-handed)... now it's slightly difficult to type or write. D'oh.

[Vivienne]

good stuff. I always try to turn away when they drain blood out of you. Not nice. I never got any bix either. At least when you give blood at the Blood Transfusion Service, you get bix for your trouble.

[MK Chris]

It's only a bit of blood, Viv. Just imagine it's tomato ketchup. My mum and her other half always have a race to see who can fill their bag up the quickest when they give blood. It passes the time I guess.

[Vivienne]

Well, I still don't like it I don't imagine it's tomato ketchup!! I cope by turning away, and pretending it isn't actually happening.

[claradooblue]

They always have to try about 4 times with me, though i always watch. Its fun the 1º time, but by the end, theres too much blood about. Delightful.

[kendra k]

see, i'm a pro at getting my bloog drawn now. i'm relegated to only my right side (since i had lymph nodes removed on my left side) and i usually go for the hand. the nurses always complain but i just make a fist and shove it in their face.

[Yudster]

I have veins like drainpipes in both arms. When I was working in haematology, I used to train the newbies to take blood, starting with using me as a practice patient, and ending up with a willing recovering heroin addict who had absolutely no useable veins left anywhere on his body. The trick with him was to do an arterial stab, straight into the femoral artery via the groin. If you had succesfully drawn blood from me, him, and everyone inbetween, there was no vascular challenge you weren't up to!

[MK Chris]

Haha I now have images of images of a doctor stabbing at your arm in the vain (ha!) hope of finding an artery or vein.

[Andy B]

Apparently I have "great veins" according to the nurse I saw. She didn't even need to wrap the thingy round my arm to find them. One of the more bizzare compliments I've received in my time!

[Yudster]

I'd like to differ. All doctors and nurses have extreme problems trying to find my veins in my arms. I can see them so why can't they?

Whether they are visible or not isn't an indication of how easily you can get blood out of them. I was trained to take blood using feel rather than sight for that very reason. The person who trained me was incredible, and I tried to pass on to other people what she had taught to me, so thanks to her our team was particularly efficient, even with awkward-veined patients. Some people are just difficult to bleed though Char, although the only ones that should really cause the kind of problems you are describing are people who have a pathological reason. From what you have described you have met with more than your fair share of incompetence, sounds a bit of a mickey mouse outfit to me!