The stories and experiences shared here reflect my personal journey. Names and some details have been changed to protect individuals’ privacy. These posts are meant to highlight my own insights and growth, not to identify others.
This is a journal entry from 3 years ago when I was still trying to find a diagnosis and the reason why I was so sick.
Two days ago wasn’t the best of days. It started with 3 CT scans. Actually, it started off by having to drink 2 big bottles of barium. One of which went down fairly easily; the other did not. (I actually got sick in my lunch bag. yuck. Had to go get a new one the next day. Side Note: If you have to drink barium, I recommend the mocha flavor. The other flavors are horrendous. Then, I had a rheumatology appointment, but I didn’t get any real answers.
I went to LabCorp to have blood drawn. The phlebotomist I had was a somewhat older man (turns out he’s 65 but didn’t look it at all; way younger). He told me that he had been there a few months, so he was still learning how to do some things on the computer. You could tell he was a little cautious, and when he asked questions, some of the “young snots” working there weren’t all that patient. In talking w/ Calvin, I realized that he started his phlebotomist career in 1990, the same year I became a PT. He is originally from Queens but has worked “all over”. He said he started at a Fort, so I’m assuming he’s a veteran.
It took him quite a while to type everything in, and he was super careful to get it right. The blood draw was no problem at all; it was learning all the computer stuff at age 65 that was hard. I was super patient with him and thoroughly enjoyed meeting this man. When he was done, he put on the gauze and secured it w/ 2 pieces of paper tape; not that uncommon. Then he proceeded to draw on the tape: a drawing of Tweety Bird, complete with a yellow highlighter. You cannot imagine how much joy this little drawing and the interaction with this man gave me. It was the best part of my day. Can you imagine the number of times he’s drawn that Tweety Bird in his career? When I took it off at home, I saved the tape. I had asked him to “sign” his drawing, and he said it’s CJ. Here’s Tweety signed by CJ. God bless him.
I have met so many fascinating people throughout my career and in public. I hope to share their stories while keeping their identities private.
