blood is thicker than water

I had to go the doctor today to get blood work done. I'm in perfect health, just had some blood work to make sure its staying that way.

I hate getting my blood drawn and I don't like needles.

I have gotten a little bit more accustomed to it, especially since I have to get a shot every Wednesday afternoon to help my horrible allergies. I am allergic to dust, cats, tree pollen, and feathers. It's annoying to have to live a quality of life like that. Constantly being afraid that you are going to get sick from whatever you are standing close to. I cannot even imagine what it is like to have a food allergy.

They are so bad that I have to be the loser friend that calls ahead to see if you own a cat. If you mention that you do, and for some strange reason I am too embarassed to tell you I am severely allergic, I may just get into a fender bender on the way to your house or come down with some strange illness requiring that I don't leave my house. Yeah, it's that bad. My lungs close up and I have to keep my inhaler in my hand to make sure I can take a full breath. Gross. People always say, "Oh, I cleaned! You should be fine!" But these nostrils are supersonic and can sniff out the lone dust bunny behind the fridge that you thought you got, but missed. At the least, its made me a good house cleaner.

The night after B proposed to me, he surprised me with a room at the W Hotel in Manhattan. We got there and found out that they forgot to follow the special instructions to take the feather cover off the bed before we got there. So, that caused two hours of waiting in the lobby. (They did give us complimentary drinks and appetizers at Whiskey Blue so it wasn't all that bad.)

For the first time ever, since having these shots, I have not had a single symptom. It's incredible. The only problem is that every single appointment, I walk in to Dr. Mechanic's office (who I adore) and my heart starts pounding.

I hate the freaking needle.

It makes me wonder how on earth a drug addict can get to that point. To want to satisfy their craving so badly, that they are willing to stick a needle in their own vein. I just don't get it. Though I do know that after you cross a certain line that you said you wouldn't cross with drugs, anything is possible.

Anyway, back to my traumatic blood withdrawal today... Of course, I had to call Brian and ask for comfort before, text during and call after. I'm like a little kid. Personally, I think its bullshit that adults don't get some kind of reward to go home with. I don't know, having viles of blood drawn and walking out empty handed just seems mean! It's kind of violating.

I was driving in my car on the way home thinking about how blood can tell a doctor so much about you. It made me get one of those shivers... like ew. They just took blood out of me so they can tell me all the things I want to know and don't want to know about my health. They can tell what you've been eating, what you've been drinking and what your body needs to be healthier. To them its just a piece of paper with some labwork on it. To me, its more than that.

Blood. I don't even like the word. I remember in college I used to donate blood all the time and squirm and hate every minute of it while it was happening. It was one of my only good deeds back then. I just kept thinking of all of the sick people out there that may need my help. That helped me do it. I can't say I didn't milk it for all the attention I could get, but I did do it.

I can tell you almost every time I have had an IV, blood donation or blood withdrawal done. Maybe the bad vibes about it has to do with the fact that most of those times were against my own will, and due to an accident or horrible situation where my blood needed to be examined.

I love when doctor's say to me, "What is your medical history?" And I reply, "I'm adopted." They give you that half-pitying look and just say, "Oh, alright then, let's draw some blood."

I've never understood the saying blood is thicker than water. It has no weight with me. It could be why I treat my closest friends and extended family like my own. It's because I was raised to know that biological relation doesn't hold a candle in the long run. Blood means nothing to me, especially when it comes to the people in my life that show me true love and kindness.

My mother is the only mother I know. Whether I came from her blood or not, no one can tell me differently. The same goes for my Father and for my little Brother. In this case the analogy is completely backwards. I would have to say our bond as a family is stronger than many that I have witnessed with blood relation.

I have someone in my life that takes such pride in her family and its name. It's all about the blood relation. Anyone else that tries to become part of that family name really goes through the ringer to get there. I find it so strange.

We are all part of the same planet, same creation, same world. In essence, we are all made up of the same things and therefore all brothers and sisters. We are all in this together and need to take care of each other. It sounds cheesy, but its true.

Don't you have someone in your life that you love like family? Your best friend's father or an old family friend that you could never live without? I do. And I know that their blood is part of what runs through my veins and keeps me happy and healthy and wanting more. So, is blood thicker than water?

I know it isn't.