As a clinical laboratory scientist, my workdays are often packed with tasks that require precision and attention to detail. Each day brings a unique set of challenges, and it’s essential to be on top of my game at all times. That’s why I like to start my day early, wake up at 5:00, and have some coffee to give me the energy boost I need to get started.
However, some days are more challenging than others, and today was one of those days. I had a hard time getting to sleep the night before and found myself watching the clock all night. When my alarm finally went off, I felt exhausted and sleepy, but I knew I had to push through it and start my day.
As I got ready for work, I realized that the temperature had dropped to 20 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. When I went to start my car, I discovered that my windshield was frozen solid. I had to spend extra time scraping the ice off, which made me 15 minutes late when I arrived at the laboratory. Unfortunately, our phlebotomist was not around yet, so I had to tell my colleague to draw the blood samples from the in-patients.
Despite the rough start to my day, I tried to keep a positive attitude and make the best of the situation. I had ramen for breakfast, which was enough to make myself full, and then started with the routine task of doing the quality control of the analyzers. This is an important part of our work, as it ensures that the instruments we use for testing are functioning correctly and producing accurate results.
Once I was sure that everything was okay, I proceeded with the processing of the sample. This is the part of my job where I take the blood samples and analyze them to produce test results. I had to finish and release the results before 8:00 AM, just in time for the doctors’ rounds. It can be a stressful time, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to know that the results I provide can make a significant difference in a patient’s life.
As the day went on, I was able to keep up with my workload, and I took my lunch break around 12 noon. Time flies so fast, and before I knew it, it was time to go home. I left work at 2:30 PM and went straight home to relax.
Reflecting on my day, I realized that it’s easy to let small setbacks, like a frozen windshield, bring us down. However, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and focus on what we can control. I could have easily let my lateness and the frozen windshield ruin my day, but instead, I chose to make the best of it.
As I sat down at my laptop to journal my day, I felt grateful for the opportunities I have to make a difference in people’s lives through my work. It was a good day overall, despite the rough start, and I’m looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
