I had to go for blood work on a recent morning. Fear not. It's routine, part of a long overdue check up.
Picture perfect. I fasted. I avoided my morning diet cola, which was much more difficult than it sounds.
The lab opened at 6:30 AM, and I was first in line.
So far, so good.
Paperwork was done in a flash.
I got poked, the blood flowed in to the tube. That is also more difficult than it sounds. I have tiny, girly veins and giving blood, even a vial, can be an adventure.
After a sigh of relief with the completion of the blood part, I was handed a urine specimin cup.
Huh? I must have missed that part on the paperwork from the doctor that I produced for the people at the lab. I went before I left the house! The tank was on E. The well was dry. Sahara. Gobi. Mojave. Death Valley. Dust Bowl.
The people at the lab were cool. I was told to take the cup home. Fill it when I feel the urge, and bring it back. If I couldn't make the return trip quickly, keep it in the refrigerator until it was convenient to come back.
Luckily, I chose a lab just two miles from home, so returning with the magic cargo was not a big deal.
Moral of the story? Always read the fine print, and stay hydrated.