Bloodwork - Always More Bloodwork

Lucky for me, bloodwork isn't horrendously painful.

Bloodwork is simply a fact of life, especially for anyone who has ever suffered any kind of illness or has had to get diagnostic testing done.
It is the first test ordered since it is minimally invasive, doesn't use potentially harmful radiation, and can - at the very least - give doctors an idea of which direction to take as far as diagnosing or even treating someone's symptoms. At best, a simple blood test can determine exactly what a person is suffering from.
When you really think about it, that is pretty neat.

It can get tedious though.
Way back when I used to have to get my bloodwork done twice a week. That was nuts. I tried keeping count, but after two years of that I just couldn't keep up. There was too much going on and I was having blood drawn in several different places.
Now it's a lot better... but sometimes it can be confusing.

Take, for instance, the picture here. 12 vials. Not bad.
Seeing a phlebotomist only hurts because my veins are full of scar tissue and some double valves. But even I get a little lightheaded after about 10 vials.
This particular day was to draw blood for three separate requisitions:
1) A standing order for my gastrointestinal specialist to keep track of my liver enzymes and inflammatory markers.
2) A standing order for my rheumatologist for basically the same tests, plus additional tests for other autoimmune conditions.
3) A yearly requisition to check my liver enzymes, Complement Series level and functionality, and to test for any blood-borne diseases since I take a blood product medication twice weekly.

The first two standing orders are required every month by each, but they are ordering nearly the exact same tests. (I don't really mind tbh).
The third test is always unnerving. Blood products carry risks, that's very very clear, but there is always that waiting period where you start to doubt yourself.

Have you ever been checked for something you KNEW you didn't have, but because they decide to test for it, you start to wonder if there really is a possibility?
Most girls will understand this sentiment. Even if you KNOW you aren't pregnant, if you decide to pee on that pregnancy test strip, there are 2 minutes when you start to question yourself - it can drive people insane!
I don't have any symptoms, but seeing a doctor checking for blood-borne illnesses just gets me nervous. Using blood from another human being is not foolproof. They DO have strict guidelines (which I am extremely grateful for, even if a few criteria are outdated and require updating), but there is always a chance that you could contract some illness that went undetected.

I have to go for more bloodwork tomorrow for my yearly physical. This time last year my cholesterol levels had doubled compared to the year before... so we'll have to see.

Bloodwork bloodwork and more bloodwork.
One way to keep ahead of any changes.
It's just a part of life.
Hopefully tomorrow will be about 4 vials instead of 12 ;).