I don’t think I’ve ever liked going to the doctor. I think I was traumatized as a kid.

Nevertheless, I’ve grown accustomed to going since I’ve had issues that I’ve needed a doctor’s help with.

My blood pressure still goes up a bit every time I have to go to the doctor’s office. My heart rate always goes up. My anxiety takes off.

It’s worse when I have to get my blood drawn.

One thing I’ve realized, though, as I’ve grown up, is that I get to be the one in charge of my own health now.

If I don’t like what my doctor has to say, I can get another opinion. I can change doctors if I feel I need to.

I get to advocate for me and my health. No one else is going to.

Look at it as a form of self-care. Because it is.

And yeah, the needle will still hurt a bit when you have to get blood taken. But if you’re fortunate to get an experienced phlebotomist, it won’t hurt too much. Don’t let them practice on you!

Provided you have a good doctor, the lab tests are going to give you information to make the best decisions about your body. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, your blood can tell you that you’re deficient in Vitamin D. Then you can get yourself on a supplement and you’ll notice such a difference in your mood.

Or it could tell you that your thyroid is a bit low or high.

Or maybe your white blood cell count is high and you have an infection somewhere.

And if you don’t like what your doctor is prescribing, have a serious talk with him/her. Is he/she stuck on just treating the symptoms? Or does he/she want to get to the root of the problem?

Until they figure out the cyborg tech, this body is the only one you’re going to get. Unless they can transfer your consciousness into a computer, but then you wouldn’t really have a body.

Your health is worth the care.

You are worth the care.