It's funny because most people either love the realistic food, or think it's totally disgusting! I can understand...some of them are shaped like curry rice or whatever, very realistic, and putting your hand directly on that...could be kinda "bleh"!

The doctor himself was listening attentively, and took me seriously about a separate issue that usually gets brushed off (my mom had pancreatic cancer and I am now approaching the age when she died, so I'd like more screenings in that direction, and doctors usually pooh-pooh me about it). So I do want to continue seeing this doctor. He actually had calmed me down so much that I thought this blood draw would go very well.

But then these nurses...they were just being themselves and going about it like it was a normal blood draw, and I get that. But all I wanted was for it to go QUICKLY. The quicker it goes, the less likely I am to have an episode. It was my own fault for being dehydrated...but it was unnecessary for them to leave the needle dangling out of my arm while chatting casually, when it was clear the procedure was not happening!! That is what absolutely freaked me out!
(although it was probably a good experience to have, maybe I'll be better prepared for that in the future now)