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Six month PSA - annoying experience

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Posted 4/13/2017 4:38 PM (GMT -5)
So I got the six month email reminding me to go get my PSA test.

So I go get the blood draw and the next day the cancer monitoring clinic calls and says the test came back, "TND" (test not done) because something went wrong with the sample. Best I can get them to admit to is that the vampire didn't take a big enough sample. Guess no result is better than a false result.

Yesterday went back and had a new blood draw (at no charge, of course).

Well the result is in: 0.4

Stable and all's well in the world (expect one phlebotomist who called Monday to profusely apologized for the screwup and seemed truly shook up that it happened.)

Andrew
Posted 4/13/2017 6:24 PM (GMT -5)
Andrew, if I were you, I'd take that Phlebotomist out to the SHOP. And use a hammer on him/her.

The result though, I take it , was a good one, which is most important. Congratulations.
Posted 4/13/2017 6:47 PM (GMT -5)
Good result.... and happy they did not lose it again!
I also hate it when the Phlebotomist is all thumbs and can't hit a vein. Some are so good at it.
Posted 4/13/2017 7:30 PM (GMT -5)
Congrats! .4 looks steady and here's for more of the same and lower!
Posted 4/13/2017 7:51 PM (GMT -5)
I'm pretty lucky in that I seem to have good veins and they very rarely miss on the first go, but I just love putting the pressure on by saying, "I have good veins and no-one has ever missed on the first go".

You can hear the sigh of relief when the blood flows.

Chas

PS, on the one occasion when the guy missed, he told me I must be dehydrated and gave me a lecture on drinking plenty of fluid before each draw.

Post Edited (Chask) : 4/13/2017 6:54:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/14/2017 7:17 AM (GMT -5)
I, too, find phlebotomists to be "hit or miss" in more ways than one. (Pun very intentional.) I am a small guy, and over the years my veins are not as robust and prominent as they once were. I try to hydrate prior to blood draws, but I also joke with the tech's. I warn them about my small veins and ask them to use a "butterfly needle" like the ones they use for children. Then I tell them that they have a maximum of two tries to get the necessary blood -- after that I promise that I will dash out into the hallway of the busy lab and start to sob and cry very loudly! It seems that nobody there wants to see an old man cry. . .

I'm mostly just kidding with them, but most of them appreciate my light-hearted attitude and my telling them that I appreciate their care.
Posted 4/14/2017 8:09 AM (GMT -5)

Paxton said...
I, too, find phlebotomists to be "hit or miss" in more ways than one. ....


LOL. I use the VA for primary care and we have some good 'vampires' in the lab. However one time (last year I think) he drained one vein dry rolleyes and had to stick my other arm. Like you I try to hydrate but my veins seem to know what's up and they disappear.
Posted 4/14/2017 9:13 AM (GMT -5)
I get my blood drawn at the local Kaiser hospital, most times they're just fine and since they just draw blood all day most of their vampires are great. I do get the occasional bad one, but sometimes it's "training day" at the lab and there will be a student vampire asking to stick you. They're fine with being told no, but I am an old softie and know the young'ns need to practice on someone so I'll let 'em try.

Sometimes it's just fine but I've had the student's leave large bruises.

The best vampire is "the big guy" - he's every bit of 6'6" tall and built like a linebacker, but he has the most gentle touch and the amazing ability of finding a vein first time every time.

Andrew
Posted 4/14/2017 9:31 AM (GMT -5)
Never a great day when a medical mistake is made and it is scary to know that they happen all the time. However let's be thankful that they only messed up your blood sample. There have been stories of people that go in for a nose job and come out having had their kidney removed!
Posted 4/14/2017 10:38 AM (GMT -5)
You try going thru life with the title of phlebotomist...
Posted 4/14/2017 2:30 PM (GMT -5)
Mistakes happen. My local Kaiser has gotten so worried about mistakes that they now do a ton of checks and cross checks to make sure they're doing the right thing. Last time I was in for a procedure, every person who came into the room to do something on me checked my ID bracelet, asked my name, why I was there, etc. They seemed almost paranoid about doing the wrong thing.

well, it felt that way.

Andrew
Posted 4/14/2017 2:42 PM (GMT -5)
Doesn't sound like a big deal. You didn't even mention the only thing I can think of...how far did you have to drive to re-do?
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