It's safe to say that heading to the doctor is no one's idea of a fun activity. Whether it's for just a routine check-up or a more serious primary-care issue, we'd all rather be doing something (literally anything) else. Because of this, the medical professionals who care for us everyday tend to go unrecognized and under appreciated. This is especially true on college campuses, where university health facilities are typically either avoided, joked about, or ignored altogether. But this past week, when I found myself at UHS and rather impatiently awaiting a blood test, I was actually pleasantly surprised with my experience. And I owe it all to my extraordinary UHS laboratory technician...
As a person who tends to faint at even the thought of blood, I had been pretty upset upon hearing that I needed to report for some lab work. Ignoring every smile flashed my way, I took my seat in the waiting room and continued trying to convince myself that I would be okay. Hearing my name called, I took my place in the rather comfy lab chair, texting both my mom and friends for some much needed support. Before I could fully panic, in walked my lab technician.
Clearly noticing my inner struggle, the woman in front of me began to slowly prepare, speaking to me as an obvious attempt of distraction. Though at first, I must admit, I was hesitant, eventually her warmth and kindness broke through and the two of us were chatting nonchalantly.
We chatted about her life. We chatted about my own life and the classes I'm taking. We talked as she pulled the dreaded needle out of the drawer next to my chair, and even as she cleaned off and prepped my arm. And when my nerves fully set in, to the point where I was embarrassingly too choked up to form sentences, she took it upon herself to continue talking to me-- telling me stories of her daughter, of her previous jobs, of her amazing travels across the globe throughout her lifetime.
While I sat there, tearful and terrified, she continued to comfort me with impressive stories, details of her elaborate Halloween costume, and even a few comical songs. And so, touched by her effort and shocked by her worldliness, I survived my blood test.
But this isn't just a story about my personal victory (though exciting). My experience at UHS signifies something much bigger. If I had just stayed silent, like many people do, I would have never met or heard about the amazing life of the technician so randomly assigned to me. The significance of this interaction has reminded me that everyone has a story to share and a life they're living. It is important to recognize this on a daily basis, when we can be so stuck and consumed in just our own experiences and perspectives.
On a larger level, I have faith in the fact that people like my laboratory technician exist across the world. And therefore, we must remain open and appreciative of the people we meet everyday. A stranger's compassion, as I saw firsthand, can go a long way to ease the fear or experiences of someone else. We must be reminded to take a second and reach out to others-- appreciating those who help us and lending a hand to those who may be in need.
So, thank you to my UHS lab technician. Not only for allowing me to successfully complete my lab work in a literal sense, but for opening my eyes to the amazing people like you who exist in this world, and the power that a little compassion truly does have.
