50+ thread

Had a blood draw Monday.
They put the new guy on me as his first patient...lol

He touched my arm (not with the needle) and I screamed.
He jumped 2 feet and then laughed. The senior guy gave me a fist bump and I could hear the reception area laughing.

Yeah, I'm that guy.

 

The only way I can handle blood draws is asking that the phlebotomist aka vampires uses a butterfly needle and don't say things to me like ......

I missed the vein

I blew put the vein

Or see them applying direct pressure to a vein spraying blood


Say anything like those examples and I'll pass out

 

Yes, we know. You are just a pretty little screamer!

 

I am right there with you.
I could write a book about the uncountable times people have tried to draw my blood and missed. But then who ever read it would never sleep again.

One of my worst experiences was during my Service time (just after yours) 1985-88, the beginning of the AIDS panic... Army required all personnel to undergo blood draw for AIDS testing in their birth month, every year. Well, the medics that were always assigned to do this blood draw were 18/19 year old E2/E3's. With little to no experience. Back then, I see a needle, I pass out. So that was always such a fun experience for me......

Today I can keep from passing out, but it has to be a tiny needle, and they get one try. Period.

 

I've been with USAA for many years and had several auto and home claims with them. Never had my rates jump due to a claim, never had an issue making a claim or getting something fixed. When I was younger, sub 25, they were very expensive and I left for a few years until I turned 25. I went with some no-name companies, then a year with State Farm until my birthday when I switched back to USAA. I've been temped a couple times to check what other companies would charge, but I've had such good luck with USAA claims process I don't want to deal with the hassle everyone else seems to get stuck with. An example; two years after I bought my house, I woke up to a roof leak. I called USAA, they sent out an adjuster, and a month later I had new 12K roof on my house and my rate actually dropped after the new roof. I know they aren't the cheapest, but in my experience they are the easiest to deal with.

 

I've got to drive a bit further. A simple round trip is 5000 miles without any detours off the express way to camp, visit and play tourist. The last time I drove over 8000 miles. I think the average cost per gallon for that trip in '21 was about $2.90, today the average is closer $4. The most I paid anywhere in '21 was $4.00 a gallon on the Washington coast. So a minimalist trip today would be about $2k, a fun trip would be over $3k just in fuel cost. If this trend continues...

 

I tell them what vein to use then watch them put the needle in. it bugs some of them...

 

we call them Hate Farm..... cause if you dont need them? they are great. if you do need them? your rates are going up & you are gonna hate em'.

i had Grange for years after hatefarm & have been with Safeco for about 5 years now. no complaints yet.

 

@MTgirl Be warned if you did see this on the local news.
https://www.ktvq.com/news/montana-n...ght-downstream-of-reed-point-train-derailment

 

I have minimal experience with them. I used them for a couple years for RV insurance, USAA didn't cover RVs at least not at that time and when I called them, that is who USAA recommended I get coverage with. I didn't have an complaints, but I didn't have any claims either. But I do love their commercials.

 

Good afternoon, everyone. It's good to hear that some people have had good luck with USAA, I never had them personally. Their best quotes were always $500-$700 more then anyone else. I was shocked when my buddy told me the headaches that he had with claims adjusters, then a higher up claim adjuster would deny or mandate an LKQ/aftermarket part, even when the part didn't fit well. I dunno, regional differences??

I'm headed outside to get another stringer set in place, maybe 2 if all goes well.

 

We’re not going home!!!!

 

The boy is wore out!

 

Insurance comes down to the agent.

I have been with State Farm for 50 years. When I went to a new agent, they saved me $700 a year, just by discounts that the old agent didn't apply.

 

What started my phobia of blood draw was from a Navy Corpsman and they're trained as our medic in the Marine Corps . He inserted a needle into my L/ arm to draw blood and missed the vein causing it to blow out

I immediately passed out after seeing my arm covered in blood . Since that time I've been very nervous of having blood drawn . I even had qualified RN's and surgical nurses screw up trying to draw blood


This last knee replacement surgery I had a year ago I had a pre op nurse screw up finding a vein after I told him of my phobia . He promised he would be able to draw from a vein on the first try . It took him 3 attempts until he was able to draw from my wrist

A good friend of mine , his wife who is a ER Nurse she told me to ask during a blood draw to request for a butterfly needle as these are pain free and easier to tap into a vein

So far over the last year and asking nurses and tech's to use that specific needle I've had no more issues

 

Awesome pics of Ouray Colorado !!!!

 

AWESOME !!! I spy just the faintest hint of the Aspens turning colors. Did you really go all the way to Ouray from Durango? That's a bit of a haul, but an epic one for scenery.

 

Evening everyone

Another fun day Dog sitting my Brothers Great Dane !!!!

The drive home from my Brother's house this evening made it feel like I was in LA traffic on the the 405 fwy .it took me 2 hours to drive in heavy traffic just south of Nashville to my house which is only 40 miles NE of of Nashville