# Fat patient in the blood lab center **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 8, 2009, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059 "2009-10-08T15:58:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/221 "2009-10-11T20:20:12Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Um, thanks. :dubious: 😉 > > I hate to break it to you though, but the spruce actually belongs to our neighbors across the street. > [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > You are lucky to live with neighbors with such quality taste in spruce. Get an arboretum, you two! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/222 "2009-10-11T20:34:02Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > What are you talking about? I think the “talking points” about rape and fat are a lot less like that here compared to many other places. > [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > Really??!! As to the fat issue, I haven’t seen any message board that is as sensitive to that issue as this one. Could you give an example of what other places you mean? > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Am I allowed to? (I know mods are sensitive about the whole, “Look at \_\_\_\_ boards, aren’t they stupid? Board wars!” thing.) There’s nothing wrong with linking other boards–probably excepting snarkpits–as long as you don’t actively encourage Dopers to post there. ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/223 "2009-10-11T23:23:32Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I volunteered to give blood when I was a senior in high school, at our school’s blood drive. Unfortunately, I looked WAAAY too shakey and freaked out when they started to test my blood type, so woman testing me wouldn’t let me do it. We had a blood drive in high school once. Any senior who donated got to go home for the afternoon. I thought the lure of missing half of the day could trump my needle phobia and I went to donate. As soon as I got that rubber tube on my arm I started sweating and trembling. They turned me down. Friend of mine was going to donate, though, and asked me to wait in line to keep her company even though I couldn’t donate. Yeah, sure, no problem. So, she gets the needle in her vein and they give her that spongy ball thing to squeeze to get the blood flowing out, right? The woman said, “Ok, squeeze” but my friend didn’t know you were supposed to squeeze lightly and she squeezed it as tightly as possible. Needle flew out of her arm, blood spurted out, and I hit the damn floor. Out cold. Woke up in the nurse’s office and they told me they’d called my mom to come and pick me up. I didn’t donate but got to go home anyway! Everytime I recall that story I get this chill in the middle of my spine. Also had one injection where I blacked out for a few seconds. The doctor said it was because my heart rate and blood pressure were so high before the injection since I’d worked myself up so much over it. They both plummeted the second I got injected and that knocked me out a little bit. They told me I slumped into my wife’s arms but I came to pretty quickly. Moral of the story: needles suck. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/224 "2009-10-12T03:10:19Z")
> [@kidneyfailure](#): > > Friend of mine was going to donate, though, and asked me to wait in line to keep her company even though I couldn’t donate. Yeah, sure, no problem. So, she gets the needle in her vein and they give her that spongy ball thing to squeeze to get the blood flowing out, right? The woman said, “Ok, squeeze” but my friend didn’t know you were supposed to squeeze lightly and she squeezed it as tightly as possible. Needle flew out of her arm, blood spurted out, and I hit the damn floor. Out cold. Woke up in the nurse’s office and they told me they’d called my mom to come and pick me up. I didn’t donate but got to go home anyway! > Moral of the story: needles suck. I had to have a couple of baby teeth out when I was little as they were so firmly rooted they were hanging on way past their time and causing problems to the incoming adult teeth. Mum went with me the first time. She had a problem with blood so bad that she didn’t even have to see the needle go in to faint, she went as soon as she saw them putting a white cloth round my neck. Dad took me every other time. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/225 "2009-10-12T03:13:20Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Actually, my mother worked as a lab technician/phlebotomist at a hospital for a few decades, and that’s one of the terms she used. She also said that she couldn’t believe that anyone had problems with my veins one time…she just circled my upper arm with her fingers and tapped my inner elbow with the fingers of her other hand, and said that I should be an easy stick, I’ve got a lovely vein right there. > > Probably only a mother, or a phlebotomist, would refer to a vein as “lovely”. Heh, former drug abusers do this too, with a side dish of envy because they destroyed their own veins long ago. ---
**Author:** ![Walpurgis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Walpurgis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walpurgis)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/226 "2009-10-12T08:22:14Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Actually, my mother worked as a lab technician/phlebotomist at a hospital for a few decades, and that’s one of the terms she used. She also said that she couldn’t believe that anyone had problems with my veins one time…she just circled my upper arm with her fingers and tapped my inner elbow with the fingers of her other hand, and said that I should be an easy stick, I’ve got a lovely vein right there. > > Probably only a mother, or a phlebotomist, would refer to a vein as “lovely”. Hee! That’s my mum (ER nurse). The first time I brought home a boyfriend, she shook his hand, looked down at his arm and went “Oooh, that’s a _gorgeous_ set of veins! Wouldn’t mind sticking a needle in those”. He never came back to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/227 "2009-10-12T15:43:47Z")
I can’t believe we’ve gotten so far off topic. Let’s hear some more about how \*\*bri1600bv \*\*is a racist! ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/228 "2009-10-12T17:56:16Z")
> [@bri1600bv](#): > > Being fat has everything to do with a bad stick. I saw them say it on a TV show we’re they’re trying to operate on a blimpo. The veins are buried under 2-3 inches of blubber. I’m the most incredibly difficult "stick in the world, when I was on an IV they had to insert it in the back of my hand. It inevitably takes a team of struggling nurses to draw blood from me. It’s not much fun for me either. And I’m female, 5’7" and weigh 130 pounds ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/229 "2009-10-12T18:43:18Z")
I’m always surprised by those that are fully aware that Cousin Whoever could eat five Big Macs and never gain an ounce. We all know that guy - the beanpole guy that had the lightning fast metabolism and stayed thin no matter what was eaten. On the other side of that bell curve there’s a person who gains easily, loses slowly, and struggles with weight their entire lives but it’s just too easy to call them “fat” and admonish them for overeating. There really is a bell-shaped curve, you know. All that said, I’m a fat guy that eats too much and needs more exercise. I also, apparently, have veins like subway tunnels and the blood drive people love the speed at which I fill their baggies. And **bri**? You’re a douche. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/230 "2009-10-12T18:45:04Z")
_Focus_, people! We’re supposed to be calling him a racist. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/231 "2009-10-12T18:55:58Z")
Racist? I thought he was a fattist. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/232 "2009-10-12T18:59:05Z")
I dunno. He seemed pretty jumpy about someone calling him a racist (for some reason…?), so I’ll just go ahead and conclude that he is one. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/233 "2009-10-12T19:17:22Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Actually, my mother worked as a lab technician/phlebotomist at a hospital for a few decades, and that’s one of the terms she used. She also said that she couldn’t believe that anyone had problems with my veins one time…she just circled my upper arm with her fingers and tapped my inner elbow with the fingers of her other hand, and said that I should be an easy stick, I’ve got a lovely vein right there. > > Probably only a mother, or a phlebotomist, would refer to a vein as “lovely”. My husband has typical male veins in his arms (i.e. you could drive a truck through them), and he hates it when I palpate them because they are just so luscious. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kidneyfailure](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9f8e36/32.png) [@kidneyfailure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidneyfailure)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/234 "2009-10-12T23:17:54Z")
Veins are disgusting…but also kind of sexy. I mean, not gross vericose veins, but, y’know, if you see a thin blue vein that is visible just beneath the surface of the skin it’s kind of nice. I had a girlfriend once who had this very slight blue vein in her face. You could barely even see it. But I liked looking at it. I realize this is highly ironic coming from someone like me. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/235 "2009-10-13T00:17:28Z")
I saw [THIS](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/6279217/The-Craz-E-Burger-heart-stopping-but-delicious.html) on the news this morning. Blech. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/236 "2009-10-13T04:48:28Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I saw [THIS](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/6279217/The-Craz-E-Burger-heart-stopping-but-delicious.html) on the news this morning. Blech. Is it alright if I mock anyone who eats that? I mean Jesus, talk about asking for it. In other news, I feel very very ill. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/237 "2009-10-13T04:49:39Z")
> [@Michael\_Ellis](#): > > Is it alright if I mock anyone who eats that? I mean Jesus, talk about asking for it. > > In other news, I feel very very ill. Go for it. When I saw it on the news this morning, I thought I was going to ralph. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/238 "2009-10-13T17:09:17Z")
> [@Belrix](#): > > I’m always surprised by those that are fully aware that Cousin Whoever could eat five Big Macs and never gain an ounce. We all know that guy - the beanpole guy that had the lightning fast metabolism and stayed thin no matter what was eaten. > > On the other side of that bell curve there’s a person who gains easily, loses slowly, and struggles with weight their entire lives but it’s just too easy to call them “fat” and admonish them for overeating. Are you also surprised by people who know that there are those who have 20/20 vision naturally, and yet still insist that those who can’t see three inches beyond their noses wear some kind of corrective lenses when they drive? News flash: if you’re fat, it’s because you’re taking in more calories than your body needs to run itself. Period. Can there be extenuating circumstances? Of course there are. But that doesn’t mean that a lot of overweight people don’t bear some level of personal responsiblity for their weight. Also, can we please call a moratorium on skinny people talking about how they’re a hard stick, too, so that means **bri** ’s wrong? Your logic sucks. (Fat people who are easy sticks, however, should please continue to mock him.) Also also: So, why do we think \*\*bri \*\*hates Black people so much? Or is it just Asians? ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/239 "2009-10-13T17:56:05Z")
> [@bri1600bv](#): > > Being fat has everything to do with a bad stick. I saw them say it on a TV show we’re they’re trying to operate on a blimpo. The veins are buried under 2-3 inches of blubber. > > Yeah, I should blind myself because some blimpo wants to be 400 pounds. It’s not like it’s her responsibility to you know, act like a human being, instead of an eating machine. > > As for her being on medicaid, she could barely walk and was dressed in rags with fat bulging out. How does a blimpo like that actually work a job? > > Starve it. Wow. You have no fucking idea about life outside your ugly little bubble do you? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059/240 "2009-10-13T19:09:26Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > News flash: if you’re fat, it’s because you’re taking in more calories than your body needs to run itself. Period. Can there be extenuating circumstances? Of course there are. But that doesn’t mean that a lot of overweight people don’t bear some level of personal responsiblity for their weight. Do they deserve to be called blimpo, or the further abuse the op hurled on them? Different people have different metabolisms. One person could bulk up while another stays willowy on the same diet. Do they have the same amount of personal responsibility for their weight? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fat-patient-in-the-blood-lab-center/513059.md?page=13)