Purple Blood

So today I had to go to the hospital for a blood test.  On the way there I decided to explain to K where we were going and what was going to happen.  She was immediately alarmed and kept saying "I don't want us to go there lets just go home".  She asked me where they were going to get my blood from and I said they would take it from my arm.  I explained that it was nothing to worry about and that it wouldn't be scary but she wasn't totally convinced.  Once we parked the car I started telling her that the hospital is where ambulances go to take sick people and that women also go there when they have babies and the doctors help to take them out.  I explained that if you break an arm or leg you could go there to get it fixed.  We had to wait 30mins in the waiting room and k was starting to worry again as she kept seeing people coming out with cotton wool taped to their arm.  She said "mum why is the doctor going to cut your arm with scissors?!".  I explained again about the needle and then they called us in.  K stood next to me holding my hand ad her jaw literally dropped to the ground one she saw my blood running out into the canister.  The phlebotomist laughed and said "don't worry it doesn't hurt!  look it looks like blackcurrant!".  I heard a sharp intake of breath from K at the idea that I could be filled with fruit juice and the expression on her face was priceless!  I wish I had my camera!  Once we were done I pulled down my sleeve and we waved goodbye.  As we passed back through the packed waiting room K said "Why did she have to use the needle?".  I said it was so she could take my blood.  Then in her loudest voice she said "and why didn't she take the baby out of your tummy?!"  I could only laugh because the ground refused to open up and swallow me!

On the drive home K was full of questions and wanted to know "Why didn't she take the blood from your back?!  Why did she have to take it from your arm?",  " why did you sit down?  why couldn't you stand up?!".  "I haven't got any blood so they cant take mine", "does everybody have blood in their body?!"


"Mummy, your blood is PURPLE!"  "Can we go there again to get your purple blood out?!"