After a visit to the LabCorp in Swedesboro left me traumatized because a disgruntled phlebotomist abruptly concluded my unfinished blood work about 3 seconds after she abruptly jammed a needle in my arm only to pull it out and jam it back in again, I was terrified to finally accomplish my lab orders this morning. A shameless blood-test phobe who voluntarily discloses this awkward phobia that often leads to feeling faint, nauseous, and/or altogether passing out, to lab personnel long before the needle punctures my skin, needless to say I was scared poopless about stepping foot back in any lab ever again. No matter! I'd kept my family practitioner waiting on these labs for nearly 2 weeks. Despite my fear, I knew I had to re-locate my big girl panties and don them with courage.
Some higher power of the cosmos must have heard my lamentations echoing across the universe, because I was serendipitously put on the path to Michelle at Quest. Michelle was a breath of fresh air. The moment I stepped through the door, her demeanor was courteous, warm, and compassionate. I thought, 'It's too good to be true. She's probably a receptionist, and I'll get stuck with yet another disgruntled phlebotomist who hates life and wants to demonstrate this hatred by teaching me a lesson by first minimizing my fears and subsequently reinforcing them.'
Luckily, Michelle is indeed a phlebotomist -- and a very gifted one at that! I immediately divulged to her my LabCorp experience, as well as my history of lab-work induced queasies and squeamies.
Michelle did not dismiss my concerns. Instead, she placidly offered me alternatives with a reassuring smile on her face. When I explained that my left arm was still bruised from my LabCorp incursion ten days ago, veiling my usually prominent, easy-to-find veins, I was met with a "whatever-you-prefer" response from Michelle.
As Michelle prepped her station, she advised me that she was going to use a very small needle in lieu of the standard size. After prepping, she told me I would feel a little pinch. I did not feel any pinch whatsoever, nor did I get lightheaded or barfy like I usually do. While she filled several vials, Michelle chatted calmly, which only made me feel even more comfortable despite the blood being siphoned from my arm.
Before I knew it, Michelle was done and she gently withdrew the needle. That was it: no pinch, no sensation of the world closing in around me while fighting the urge to vomit, no sweating bullets. Michelle was great. In fact, she was so good that I was able to stand up and leave immediately afterwards. That has rarely happened to me regardless of how gifted and compassionate the lab tech may have been. Rarely.
I hope I don't have to get more labs done any time this decade, but if I do, I am following the stars back to Michelle even though her Quest location is 10 miles away from my house. Michelle is just that awesome! She's so gentle and soothing that I would even tell my sister to bring her boys to Michelle if they ever need labs done. read more
