Hello Bonnie and Sharon:
We can do a test, from start to finish, in less than 10 minutes. I believe it helps to have a system for the procedure. Al sets all the stuff out in the same way each time. I help because he's still having eye problems from a stroke. But, I did test myself twice and found it is easier to test yourself than to have someone else do it. At first we were very intimidated by the little cup for the blood...and it is little. That and the two minute time frame for collecting the blood gave us fits at first. It's like anything else new. The first few times are scarey, but then the learning curve kicks in and it's duck soup.
I do have a couple of suggestions. If you have old eyes, as I do, get some reading glasses. My bifocals gave me fits. Also, you want to make sure the finger to be used is warm. Al holds a warm cup for a few minutes. Just before he's ready, I squeeze the finger for a few seconds. That seems to help. Finally, relax. There's nothing you can do that is wrong. The worst thing that could happen is that you waste a cuvette by not getting enough blood or by not getting it in time. If that happens, you just start all over again.
Best of luck to you both.
