Two blood tests today!

I went to have a routine blood test this morning as part of my pre-op checks (knee replacement in September) and the nurse told me my blood group card was out of date (excuse me - my blood group hasn't changed LOL). ANd not only that but for the card now I have to have TWO tests, several hours apart (my group still doesn't change!). So instead of one test for the op she took extra blood for the card analysis and then I went back two hours later for the second one. So I have blue marks on both arms. I guess it is is a practise for the post-op checks - last time I remember having blood taken twice a day for the five days I was in hospital as part of anti-clotting checks. By the end, they couldn't find a vein.

Ive never heard of that before! It kinda screws yur day up to having to go back again to double check that your blood group is the same LOL

That's weird that they would have to check your blood type, it's not like it's going to change.

I hated getting blood done until this last week. I've been in the hospital for 8 days now and they take so much blood. For the first 4 days, they took it twice a day. Now it's just once a day. Between all the blood tests and the 2 IV's that I've had, it isn't bothering me anymore. 

catlover19 said:

That's weird that they would have to check your blood type, it's not like it's going to change.

I hated getting blood done until this last week. I've been in the hospital for 8 days now and they take so much blood. For the first 4 days, they took it twice a day. Now it's just once a day. Between all the blood tests and the 2 IV's that I've had, it isn't bothering me anymore. 

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I can sympathise with you.  When I was in the hospital last year, they took blood every four hours.  At first, my potassium was so low it barely registered.  I was dehydrated enough that my veins had shrunk and it was hard to get a sample. 

Oh that stinks!!

When I was at the hospital to have DS and in early labor (they were inducing me to get it going quicker)  the had to try twice to get the IV in me.  Apparently I have valves in strange places.  It explains why my veins bulge in those spots...but it wasn't an issue with my first!  They had to call the nurse who has "the touch" to get it going.  DD was in the room and I was afraid she'd freak out; but she didn't.  I'm no fan of blood draws; but I'll take less IV pokes and more blood draws if I have to choose!  But then maybe not because along with my weirdly placed valves I have small veins and only one arm is "easy" to get blood from...  Hmm...  What is the lesser of 2 evils here??

What is a blood card?  Does it tell you what type of blood you have?
 

Yes, everyone here carries one. It looks just like a credit card with your blood group on.