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Wednesday, November 25, 2020

"Up your nose with a.... " *

(*any of my fellow late Boomers/early Gen-Xers able to complete that quote, from a well-known TV show of the 1970s??) 

I had my COVID-19 test (as well as my pre-op bloodwork and an ECG) this morning, at the same hospital where my surgery is scheduled for Friday.  Now I know what it's like to have a miniature mascara wand shoved up (WAY up!) my nose.  :p I won't pretend it was pleasant -- it was actually just a wee bit painful -- but it was over fairly quickly.   

Testing (at this site, anyway) is done by appointment only, and is set up directly inside the doors of a far wing of the hospital, away from the main entrance. It was very busy, but well organized. There was a (socially distanced) lineup outside the doors, but things moved quickly.  I was in & out in about 10-15 minutes. (The entire visit, including the bloodwork & ECG in another wing of the hospital, took about an hour total.) They gave me a clean (disposable) mask to put on (I got another one when I went to the other wing for the bloodwork), had me sanitize my hands, took my temperature, pulse and blood oxygen levels. I must have gone through the COVID screening questionnaire at least half a dozen times at various checkpoints during my visit. All the staff members I saw wore both masks & face shields.  

Total out-of-pocket cost to me: Zero. The testing centre even gave me a pass for free parking. I didn't even have to show my health card;  I'd downloaded the hospital app and pre-entered my card number and other personal information to speed things up.  #thankfultobecanadian

Now on to the REAL challenge: my surgery/procedure on Friday! 

LOL moment of the morning: Before he took my blood samples, the lab guy asked me a few questions -- including whether I was pregnant. (!!!) (Dude, I just told you my BIRTHDATE!!)  I started laughing and said (very firmly!), "NO!"  He said, "Sorry, standard questions we have to ask."  Whatever...! 

8 comments:

  1. Good luck on Friday! I've been reading and thinking about you.

    The COVID test really is hideous. I feel so sorry for anyone who has to be tested regularly for their job.

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    1. Thanks, Turia! (And ditto for me re: the COVID test -- once was DEFINITELY enough!)

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  2. Rubber hose! The funny part is that while I know the saying, I didn't watch a lot of tv as a kid, so I have zero clue where it's from. Just that kids said it at school.

    Sending lots of good thoughts for the procedure.

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    1. You got the "rubber hose" part right! :) Anyone else know the source??

      Thanks for the good thoughts! <3

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  3. sending many good wishes for tomorrow's surgery!
    lots of love from sLOVEnia,
    Klara

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  4. Ha! I also don't know the source but I know it's "rubber hose!" Ooof, the brain poker test is the worst. Oh my gosh, I wish they wouldn't ask the pregnancy question. So they ask it of little girls, because it's "policy?" Equally improbable! Irritating that there's no similar question for men. I get asked that question and I DON'T HAVE A UTERUS. Good luck tomorrow, I hope all goes well!

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  5. Okay, since nobody has remembered the source yet, the saying came from the TV show "Welcome Back Kotter" -- and it was voiced by the character Vinnie Barbarino -- played by a very young John Travolta in the role that made him a star. :)

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  6. I knew it was "rubber hose" too, but had no idea it came from Welcome Back Kotter.

    Ugh to the pregnancy question. I was told once - when I also scoffed at the question - they have to ask it aged between 15 and 65!

    Glad it all went well and wasn't TOO painful.

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