So, the Rocky and the Rat (ex-rat) saga continues. Rocky has been diagnosed with leptospirosis, which is a bacterial infection. It is possible he contracted it before he killed the rat, especially since it showed up so quickly. On the bright side, it’s a zoonotic disease, wnich means we can catch it from him. Joy.
Rocky had a blood test to see if he was infected. He was. This means we all need blood tests, as well. Well, the people do. If one dog has lepto, you just treat all the dogs. We may all end up on the same antibiotics.
Leptospirosis has two phases – the first is detected in blood, the second is detected in urine. This becomes important as we progress.
After calming down about Rocky testing positive, the Spousal Unit called our family doctor and said we needed a leptospirosis test. I have a feeling we may be the first people to request this specific test. We may be the first people to request any test.
His nurse called this morning to tell us the tests were ordered, and we just had to go to Quest Diagnostics whenever we could.
I like Quest. They’re fast, there’s no appointments and they always get my blood on the first stick. So, when the Spousal Unit asked if we should go to lunch or Quest first, I thought we should get the bloodwork done first. How long could it take?
We got to Quest and I got stuck. Two tubes of blood, since the phlebotomist had never heard of the test. Time for lunch!
Then, she handed me a little jar, and muttered something about a urine sample. Warning, Will Robinson!
I should explain. When the Spousal Unit runs errands, she will run two days to six weeks worth of errands in an afternoon. So, there’s no telling where we are going to end up, or how long we will be gone. Therefore, I always pee before we leave.
I really wish someone had mentioned we were going to have to pee and not just bleed. It’s an important detail.
Oh, well. How hard can it be?
Apparently, very difficult.
Into the restroom, prepare to fill jar.
Nothing.
Concentrate.
Nothing.
I told the phlebotomist I needed to come back later.
She said she needed both samples together. I wasn’t allowed to leave. I was a prisoner.
I wish she would have told me this before she harvested my two tubes of blood.
She asked if I wanted some water, to help the cause. So, armed with my three ounces of H2O, back to the bathroom I go.
Nothing.
Maybe I just need more water. I turn on the sink and there is no cold water. I don’t mean the cold water isn’t really cold – I mean turning the handle makes nothing appear. On the bright side, the hot water works and it’s not hot, it’s lukewarm.
Lukewarm water is not very pleasant.
I could ask for more water from the phlebotomist but she wasn’t very happy to see me the last time, so I think I’ll just stick with lukewarm. Ugh.
Three cups of lukewarm water. Yummy.
How much water could it possibly take before I have to pee?
More than 14 ounces of lukewarm water, it appears.
At this point, I had been concentrating so long, I was beginning to sweat. Hmm. Would sweat be an acceptable substitute? Spit? Lukewarm tap water?
Three more cups of lukewarm water.
Hysteria was about to set in. Luckily, that’s when the Spousal Unit texted me.
Ping! “Everything ok in there?”
Autocorrect does not like my answer.
Time to find a distraction.
I could read the soap bottles. There’s a small table, but nothing’s in it, not even the magazines guys need for that other sample.
Ping! “How’s it going in there?”
Stop bothering me! I’m busy not producing a sample!
Ping! “I have to pee again. Do you want me to do it for you?”
Hardy-freakin-hair-har. Do I mock you in times of crisis? (Hmm. Question withdrawn.)
When all else fails, try the classics. This is the one time a prep school education pays off.
I hold the little jar towards the sky. I take a breath, and in a deep voice (for me), I intone, “To pee or not to pee … that is the question.”
Nothing.
I begin to giggle. Then, I begin to weep.
Hey, do tears count?
I’m now trying to push the sweat beads on my forehead back in, so they will find another way to escape.
The Spousal Unit finally asked the staff if I could go get a drink, and I guess if you block one of their two restrooms for an hour, they’ll let you out. Plus, some of them were beginning to wonder if I was still alive, and found it hilarious we were texting.
Stay alive. Don’t text and pee.
I had been trying to pee for so long, the hospital cafe was closed. Sure, it closes ridiculously early, but still.
Luckily, the Subway one building over was still open. Up one floor, across the sky bridge, and there it was. I went just for a drink, and realized I was starving. Oh, right, we came here before lunch.
It’s 4:30pm. Quest closes at five. Time to slam down a snack and drink as much Mr Pibb as humanly possible.
What a romantic lunch. Subway sandwiches in a hospital. Can I at least take four sips before the Spousal Unit asks if I need to pee yet?
18 ounces of soda in eight minutes. Then, speed walking back to the other building.
My phlebotomist is gone. That removes some of the pressure. I don’t like being judged.
Retrieved my jar – the only one left on the shelf – and nobody had filled it for me while I was gone. So much for prayers being answered. It’s probably because I wasn’t sure who the patron Saint of pee is.
I went into the other restroom. Maybe it was the restroom.
Drained the rest of the soda.
Wait.
I have to pee!
Hallelujah!
I have to pee!
Praise the Lord!
I have to pee!
Crap! Where’s the damn jar?
Found it. Filled it. Sealed it.
Well, that was a fun afternoon.
Washed my hands. Oh, look! The cold water works in this restroom.
Headed home at last.
Let all the dogs out. They all peed immediately. The bastards.
I’ve peed twice while writing this. I’m thinking I should be saving it for next time, just in case.