Mundane News

[slowmotion]

I tried to take a Covid blood antibody test tonight. They send you a small vial, about half the size of your little finger, and ask you to put some blood in it using one of their mini-stabbers on the end of your finger. (The stabber is a bit like Rosa Klebb's shoe.) No problem, I thought, I bleed for ever when I cut myself shaving. The first stab was not successful. A few drops of my precious bodily fluid dripped into the vial and then dried up, despite desperate coaxing and massaging of my hand. The second stab on another finger turned into a bit of a gusher but an air lock on top of the vial stopped my blood dripping in. The blood just ran down the outside and a lot of other places too.

It's never simple. Still, it was a bit of excitement at the end of ten days of self-isolation tedium.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I tried to take a Covid blood antibody test tonight. They send you a small vial, about half the size of your little finger, and ask you to put some blood in it using one of their mini-stabbers on the end of your finger. (The stabber is a bit like Rosa Klebb's shoe.) No problem, I thought, I bleed for ever when I cut myself shaving. The first stab was not successful. A few drops of my precious bodily fluid dripped into the vial and then dried up, despite desperate coaxing and massaging of my hand. The second stab on another finger turned into a bit of a gusher but an air lock on top of the vial stopped my blood dripping in. The blood just ran down the outside and a lot of other places too.

It's never simple. Still, it was a bit of excitement at the end of ten days of self-isolation tedium. View attachment 615004

I take part in an ONS survey that started off with swab tests for covid infection. Then, after a year or so, they kicked off with the antibody testing. When it was warmer, the blood seemed to go everywhere except in the phial, when it was cooler, the blood just seemed to hide in the safety of my body. I did manage one, though, and I have antibodies. But I'm back to just the monthly PCR tests.

I have found that everybody has different bits of advice how to get the blood flowing. The most recent advice, from a nurse while I was getting my booster jab, was to whirl my arm around.

Those mini-stabbers are called lancets. There's something I've learned.

 

[classic33]

I tried to take a Covid blood antibody test tonight. They send you a small vial, about half the size of your little finger, and ask you to put some blood in it using one of their mini-stabbers on the end of your finger. (The stabber is a bit like Rosa Klebb's shoe.) No problem, I thought, I bleed for ever when I cut myself shaving. The first stab was not successful. A few drops of my precious bodily fluid dripped into the vial and then dried up, despite desperate coaxing and massaging of my hand. The second stab on another finger turned into a bit of a gusher but an air lock on top of the vial stopped my blood dripping in. The blood just ran down the outside and a lot of other places too.

It's never simple. Still, it was a bit of excitement at the end of ten days of self-isolation tedium. View attachment 615004

Do you think they'll believe that's all you were doing, with blood all over the place.

 

[Reynard]

A and the F1 highlights.

 

[Reynard]

Also, trying to work out whether the house shaking like a jelly is due to a fully loaded goods train going past verrrrrry slooooooowly, or whether the earth really is moving...

 

[classic33]

A and the F1 highlights.

It was won by...

 

[Reynard]

It was won by...

The guy who won

 

[classic33]

Also, trying to work out whether the house shaking like a jelly is due to a fully loaded goods train going past verrrrrry slooooooowly, or whether the earth really is moving...

The earth moved, don't worry.

 

[slowmotion]

Do you think they'll believe that's all you were doing, with blood all over the place.

I read that you can actually lose a surprisingly large volume of blood before it becomes life-threatening. Something like five out of your total of eight pints.

My kitchen table didn't look quite that bad.

 

[classic33]

I read that you can actually lose a surprisingly large volume of blood before it becomes life-threatening. Something like five out of your total of eight pints.

My kitchen table didn't look quite that bad.

How much do/did they want from you?

Don't think it's that high, over half.

 

[slowmotion]

How much do/did they want from you?

Don't think it's that high, over half.

Judging by a squint at their vial, I'd guess less than 1ml. My body seemed reluctant to give up the blood.......certainly not to their container.

 

[Reynard]

Anyway, time to put the writing away and tootle off to bed via a hot bath.

Nunnight one and all xxx

 

[classic33]

Judging by a squint at their vial, I'd guess less than 1ml. My body seemed reluctant to give up the blood.......certainly not to their container.

Everywhere but their container I'll be guessing. It's a bit like oil on water, a drop or two will cover a fair sized surface area.

 

[slowmotion]

Everywhere but their container I'll be guessing. It's a bit like oil on water, a drop or two will cover a fair sized surface area.

Don't get me on the state of the green rubber sheet I was lying on at the end of my last angiogram. The Red Sea doesn't even come close......

 

[Andy in Germany]

Good morning...

Somehow I managed to pull my upper back this morning; it's one of those sudden muscular things that will go away but needs time. After fighting with my conscience I've informed work and I'll make an appointment with the Doc later. I don't like taking a day off sick and if I only had a short commute I'd probably ignore it, but with a 40 min bike ride I don't want to risk it.