Does an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

I went to the doctor earlier this week and the news is dire.

I'm the lucky "winner" of a high blood pressure (think I mentioned this earlier this autumn). In fact it's so high that a lifestyle change is desperately needed: more excercise & a drastic dietary change. No salty foods/products; no sweets, treats & snacks (bye-bye licorice!); no rice, pasta and potatoes (what on earth do you eat with your dinner); less fatty dairy products (not a problem except for my love of cheese), and no red meats. Most likely more stuff on that list... Basically the change is designed to make be lose a pound or more. It's no secret that I'm a bit overweight and it seems my petit full-figure might just be the death of me - ha ha, as if! I'm sure it's all for the better!

As I'm way too young to have a hight blood pressure, so they're running a whole load of tests (the doctor was literally crossing out test at random), and there's probably more appointments & tests to come in the near future. That's not a good thing 'cause it's notoriously difficult to get a blood sample from me (can't be more than twice, at the most, that they've drawn blood on the first prick). This is where the photo comes in. The latest attempt left me with 3 pricks and only 2/3 of the blood sample needed. Well, at least it's better than the last score with the same technician: 6 pricks, major bruising and no blood sample at all.

The point being (note to self): Never, never ever let them draw blood from the back of my hand again! I was told it would sting a bit, but I'd have full use of my hand afterwards. Man, was she ever wrong! Typing on a keyboard for a couple of hours combined with coat-check duty (evening shift at the restaurant) left me feeling like I'd really damaged something inside my hand - Ouch!

Luckily the pain's gone now, and I'm just left with purplish marks on the right arm and a bluish skintone on my hand. Nice!