Update: Thank you so much for all of your support and kind thoughts. I survived my appointment! The breathing exercises really helped - it's pretty amazing how you can take control of your breath and relax yourself. The doctor and everyone else there were really nice. I always forget that they are. I got a clean bill of health, much to my relief.

There were of course, some humorous moments. The nurse who weighed me said when I commented that the number was higher than I would like, "well, you have all your clothes on." Imagine how much a sweater, pants, and a pair of skivvies would weigh by themselves on the scale - an ounce? Half a pound? Certainly they don't account for that extra 15 - 20 I wouldn't mind losing.

When getting my blood drawn the nurse said, "o.k., think happy thoughts" and plunged the needle into my vein. Then she started talking to me about my recipe for homemade mac and cheese. I was looking at the ceiling telling myself, "think about mac and cheese... pay no attention to that needle in your arm... mac and cheese, mac and cheese..."

I was in such a haze on my way out - a combination of the missing two pints of blood and the aftereffects of the anxiety, I handed the receptionist my paperwork for co-pay and my prescriptions. "You can keep your prescriptions," she said matter-of-factly. "I have no idea why I'm handing them to you," I told her in all honesty. Prescriptions are like paper gold by the way, I just love them. Maybe it's because you can't get them anyplace else and they hold a certain feeling of power. The more you can get your doctor to write, the better. But, such is the sad state of our national health care system.

Thanks again for all your comments - it really helps to know that other people get nervous too. And just as I suspected, I'm cool as a cucumber now... at least until my next physical!
  ¶ 8:54 AM