POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Life on July 15, 2006, 11:14:28 am
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This was my day yesterday (Friday).
It was time for my six week blood draw and checkup. This time, my doctors staff came to Aspen to do the work. This is so very nice of them to drive up from Denver to do this. I put them up in the hotel I work at and its just something nice I can do for them for coming so far. So, I hug Amy goodbye and wish her well on her big bike race she is having this week. She gives me my "labs" so I can walk them across the street and give them to FedEx to overnight them to the diagnostic lab. So, here I am standing in line at the FedEx store (I have done this a few times). The box is marked in pretty small letters (bio-hazard dry ice BLA BLA BLA). I get through the line with a few stares and give it to the clerk. She says to me "I cannot except this because of its contents, but you can go out and give it to a delivery truck in Aspen, their on their way into town right now.". My mind is saying "WHAT THE FUCK?". I walk out of the FedEx store sorta not knowing what to say.
Soooo I have this box the size of a small TV set under my arm starting to look around the streets of Aspen for a FedEx truck... A half hour of walking goes by. I decide to go into the grocery store and buy a pack of cigs. I set my bio-hazard up on the counter top to get my wallet, the young lady at the check out stand scans my cigs AND my Bio-Box.... I was curious if the register would say "Eric's HIV labs" on this display, but it didnt. Of course she says "whoops, this must by yours." And being a bit pissed off I say "Yeah it definitely is mine, blood and all!"..... I continue to walk around town getting some strange looks for whatever reason. Maybe it was me.. I looked all over the box for the SKULL and CROSSBONES. But I found none.... Then, I walked to the bank to make a deposit. No problems here.. Finally 2 hours later, I find a FedEx truck parked making deliveries. So I just sat on the side of the truck on its steps waiting for the driver to return. A half hour later, he comes back with a biggy sized Starbucks coffee in his hands and I asked him "Help, can you please take my package?". He said, sure, but did you know our FedEx store is just around the corner?". I said "yeah, I was their 2 hours ago and was told NO NO NO. He laughed and said, "sure you could". I will explain it to her when I pick up all the shipments from her later today. The driver asked for what was in the box and I told him, "My blood work for HIV". He said, no problem and wrote "Diagnostics" on the side and off he went with my labs. Jesus... Did I feel a bit strange..
Then finally - I am walking home from work with my "new supply" of meds from Amy from this mornings workup. Just a plain brown lunch bag and I look all around at everyone else with the Gucci bags, prada etc and I have this silly plain brown paper lunch bag full of drugs that will help me "stick around awhile." I think my bag was worth more than all the bags in Aspen yesterday.... But next time, I will bring an old Gucci bag from home so I "FIT IN". ;)
ps.. I own nothing Gucci, I just have the bag.... lol
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Oh Eric...... Aint life grand. Loved the story and can totally relate. I have known HIV poz guy to get the biohazard symbol tattoed on himself.
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The driver asked for what was in the box and I told him, "My blood work for HIV".
Wow, you're so open :o That driver seems real nice. God bless people like that 8)
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I am glad the Fed-Ex guy was good to ya. I felt like a walking bio-hazzard last week when I went to the ER for my appendix. I also had one time when I went to a dentist in Austin TX I saw the chart. It was marked in red big letters HIV and the part of the form where I told them I was HIV poz was highlighted in Pink. Go figure! Don't change who you are HIV is only a small part of the total you.
Chin up!
AppleBoy
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Wow. So, what kind of idiot is this person at the FedEx store? It makes no sense that the package contents prevent her from accepting the it but it is ok to hand it directly to the driver. I'm glad you found the driver.
You are a good story-teller, good writer. I enjoyed the humor you maintained in a frustrating situation.
Steve
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It seems funny today, but it was "like" walking around in limbo land yesterday with this "box"... I looked at the address and was wondering if I was going to have to take to CA myself and all sorts of weird thougths.. Oh well, just chalk it up to "new territory" for me....
Love ;D
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Hi Eric,
That was very interesting reading, you did well in telling it. :)
duude
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I read this story with interest. I know FedEx take these samples, but we have special pickup so I don't know if it is their policy to not accept dry ice packages at their stores. My advice to you is to call the FedEx helpline and explain your story to them. It is quite possible that this woman was in violation of their policy. I don't know that for sure, I would check with them. If they DO accept dry ice packages that are correctly packed and marked (with amount of dry ice) then get the policy number. If they tell you that story again and make you hand it to the driver, you should quote their policy, take the persons name and complain to FedEx AND tell the clerk that you are going to do that.
Be prudent and check with FedEx about their store policy. There are strict guidelines for dry ice, I know that much.
Let us know what you find.
R
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The moral of this story... Just have your labs drawn at the docs office even when its a 200 mile drive. lol ;D
I will call them prior to ever arranging such a drama ever again for sure. Thanks for your reply...
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I would have told her that it was a 1) Human Heart 2) a brain or 3) a frozen Embryo but then again Im a bit of a smartass at times. Something doesnt sound right with her not accepting the package. I smell Rodentia. Fed Ex is a pretty professional company, surely your docs have sent samples with them before.. Id definitely make a call.
Fed Ex Drivers seem to be some of the most universally cool people on the planet, I suppose that after awhile they 'see it all' just like street cops, ER docs and Elementary school teachers.
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But why, oh why, are the UPS guys hotter? (Cliched, I know.) Jay
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jay, if you'd only peddle on up here to toronto, I'd show you a kind of hot that doesn't rely on a uniform, if you catch my drift.
andrew
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Hey Eric---- Denver here well actually S.E. Aurora by Cherry Creek Reservoir if u know where that is. It's cool that your doc made a house call. From some of the things I have read on here and thru my very very very limited experience dealing with this I think we are pretty lucky 2 be in Colorado. It seems like we have a lot of services and outlets that other places don't.
Anyway just wanted 2 say hello 2 my neighbor in the mountains
Take Care and Hugz
Jason
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Lwood I like the "Human Brain" idea along with my Windex bottle and syringe hanging off my trousers....
Jason - We may need to say hello in person sometime. We have a small apartment in Cheesman Capital Hill area and I know Denver very well...
Ill stick with My FedEx guy... He was a hottie... ;D
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Just moved out here from caphill about 5 years ago...Let me know next time your coming 2 town maybe we can get together and do lunch or something
Jason
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...maybe we can get together and do lunch or something
I have such a dirty mind.
*sigh*
(I loved your story, Eric.)