Monitor is on its way!

[jax]

Just got off the phone with QAS and my monitor is on its way. I couldn't have gotten any better news today. I don't have to pay anything for it as I have already paid all out of pocket and deductibles for the year. Was told I should have it within 10 days. Thankfully as the husbands union went on strike yesterday and as of yesterday at midnight I would not have any health insurance and would have to pay for any lab draw for inr. So as soon as I get my monitor and I am trained on it I don't have to worry about that anymore.

 

[Ross]

Now get out a needle, sterilize it and prick your finger. Do this at least 10 times so that you get the hang of it.

 

[catwoman]

Jackie:

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Ross has an excellent suggestion. Best to practice pricking your finger w/out trying to get that blood sample big enough or on the well of the testing strip. The first couple of tests can be nerve-wracking, what with the tension of getting it right and not wasting a strip.

 

[jax]

Been working overtime so I haven't had a chance to practice. Since the hubby is on strike I have to work as much as I can stand.

 

[Ross]

Well then, don't yell at me when you can't get the blood to come barreling out of your finger and fall straight on that little target area.

 

[Bina]

Yup, the spring loaded lancet pen will be a new best friend. BAM, perfect finger stick.

 

[catwoman]

I would practice after taking a nice hot shower. Defnitely NOT before taking a nice hot shower.

Can't you just imagine it seeing your fingers suddenly start spurting little trickles of blood from every "practice divot" in your fingers while you're still in the shower???? That's when you want red towels!

 

[netmiff]

woo-hoo - another one joining the ranks of many happy home testers!

Marsha, I've never, ever bled like that! but I always have cold hands and feet anyway, so I usually test just after a shower or gardening or something like that, anyway. I always have a Kleenex on hand to stop it, and ususally put on a teeny Bandaid just so I don't risk getting blood on everything I touch.

 

[catwoman]

woo-hoo - another one joining the ranks of many happy home testers!

Marsha, I've never, ever bled like that! but I always have cold hands and feet anyway, so I usually test just after a shower or gardening or something like that, anyway. I always have a Kleenex on hand to stop it, and ususally put on a teeny Bandaid just so I don't risk getting blood on everything I touch.

Jeanette:

Neither have I. But it would make an interesting picture!!!!

 

[jax]

that it would. lol still waiting to hear from the nurse. here's hoping it happens this week. i can't put it off any longer than that and don't want a bill from the lab this time. anyone know how it cost for the lab to run the test just in case?

 

[Ross]

Mine charges $25, but I've heard as much as $150 which is completely out of line.

 

[catwoman]

Jackie:

When I got my first monitor and was waiting for the training phone call, I had my sister & niece (both RNs) watch me run a test. Mind you, they've never run an INR on a patient and probably never will. But they've run tests on diabetics and there's basically NOT a whole lot of difference in the whole scheme of the universe. Other than our samples require a little bit more blood and we get it out of our finger rather than "virtually painfree" anywhere on our bodies, as some glucometers are advertised.

 

[Ross]

If your a cat owner, you don't even need a lancing device. Just pull the cats tail and you'll have all the blood sample you need.