Blood Draws May Help Others!

Today, I headed off to the local doctor's office for a blood draw that lets me know how I am doing concerning white blood count, liver function, kidney function and any other function you would care to name. All these results are faxed off to Albany Med. to my Dr. Beegle, which I call him the Beegmeister, however, not to his face. It is my pet nickname for him. I have just ordered him what I hope turns out to be a lovely gift for all his care, concern and attention to my medical needs. And boy, am I needy or what?!!! Ambulance rides to Albany, where I know the entry code into the ER by now. I won't tell you how that occurred. I could be the welcoming representative for Albany Med. as I have been on all floors at some time or another. Plus the fact that I know all the housekeeping staff, the aides, some of the nurses and, of course, the doctors.

I am a virtual fount of information. All of it neatly stored in that gray matter called the brain. I know of stem cell research, transplants and drugs that just pronouncing them would boggle your mind. Rat poison=warfarin Yes, I take rat poison to thin my blood, so my heart will pump more efficiently. So far, I haven't gotten caught in the "trap" of being overly sick from all my medications. Thank you!

When I returned home, I heard a man's voice. Hmm...no voice I recognized. The fellow was leaving a detailed message. So, I tried to stop the answering machine, but I ended up causing him to probably have to go to an ear doctor, due to the squealing sound of the answering machine. Yikes, what a noise!!!! I finally managed to stop the horrendous sounds emitting from this supposedly new, modern machine only to hear HELLO, HELLO. Mom exclaimed, " I think there is someone there, Marge." Well, yes, there was indeed a fellow named Doug on the other end of the line calling from UPMC asking me to become part of a study. What study?

How crazy I am? How all the drugs have affected my main organs? How my brain functions on all these drugs or doesn't? I'd rather claim my forgetfulness on drugs than old age any day. Doug was calling to inquire whether I would become a participant in a DNA study. Well, let me tell you that is scary. Who would want my DNA? !!!!! Imagine that. He informed me that in the future, medical professionals would like to match organs by DNA and would I consent to having my blood drawn for this possibly promising avenue of organ transplant. I gladly accepted to participate if I could help others. Meanwhile, I am thinking I am insane because blood draws for me are quite the show. Usually, it takes at least 4 tries to get my blood (Sorry, Mr. Vampire, you are flat out of luck), especially if the blood seeker has never drawn me before. My local doctor, Dr. Paula hits the spot pretty much every time. She is so sweet and kind. I just love her to pieces. Her dad is a local doctor, too. They work together and boy are they cute together. They are both hardworking individuals. Like father, like daughter.

So for the insane instant that I agreed to additional draws, I will be helping others following in my transplant footsteps. If I can help, then my life has meaning. If others like me down the road can benefit from my help, I will gladly help as I've received so much help over the past 2 1/2 years. As they say, what comes around goes around. Is that not the merry-go-round of life or what? Hang on so that the carousel horse doesn't throw you.

May you help others follow in your footsteps in doing for others in need. Your footsteps will lead them to a better place.