Participating in Aging Research Projects - General Hospital

Neck - Right Arm Valve Pressure Testing - Follow Up Procedures

02.25.2013 - Right Arm Valve Pressure Testing - Ultrasound at San Francisco General Hospital

Interesting day, I fasted for 12 hours, no food or liquids.   Got to the General Hospital and had to wait as I got there early.   They all know me as many also work at the VA Hospital.   They questioned me and then proceeded to take 12, yes, 12 extra large vials of blood.  Six from the right arm and six from the left.   Then I got $25 for the research project.  Interesting, two vials were put on ice for freezing and later on genetic testing.

Then off to the same office where a week ago I had the heart test for blood pressure of the valves in the heart,  that was $50.00. So under two hours and I ended up receiving $75.00, such a deal!

03.24.2016 - Neck Valve Pressure Testing - Ultrasound at San Francisco General Hospital

I received a call at 3 p.m. in the afternoon from the General Hospital, asking if I wanted to do another research project. I like to do these tests and was told this time the ultrasound would be on my neck. $50 for doing the test! Then asked if I would have them take 12 vials of blood and get paid $25. Of course I said, even better. They usually send the money by check but this time they gave me the $75.00 in cash. Such a deal for doing an under two hour research project.


Interesting day, I fasted for 12 hours, no food or liquids.   Got to the General Hospital and had to wait as I got there early.   They all know me as many also work at the VA Hospital.   They questioned me and then proceeded to take 12, yes, 12 extra large vials of blood.  Six from the right arm and six from the left.   Then I got $20 for the research project.  Interesting, two vials were put on ice for freezing and later on genetic testing.

Then off to the same office where a week ago I had the heart test for blood pressure of the valves in the heart,  that was $50.00.

So they interviewed me and the lab technician took me into the room and had me lie down on the bed.   She took my blood pressure and said it was 120 over 78.   She waited for five minutes and took it again.  I said I was doing my yoga and Buddhism relaxation.  She took it again and it was 113 over 74, she took it again in a few minutes and it was the same.  She then did a scan on my right arm and I could see the main blood vessel in the arm.  She put a cuff on my lower arm and restricted the blood flow, like a tunicate, it was tight.  

Finally she let the cuff loosen and suddenly she said crap. she was suppose to let it on for five minutes and she left it on for only four and a half minutes.  She said she had to do it again and was worried and I said I was retired and also was getting $50 so not to worry.  So she let me lie there for 15 minutes and took my blood pressure and now it was 110 over 72.   So we did the test again and it was fine.   She did get me a turkey sandwich and a cranberry drink as I hadn't eaten or drunk anything for 12 hours.   Then I got my $50.00 plus the $25.00 for the blood draw. Not bad, $75 for an hour or so.



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  Charles Walter Buntjer




San Francisco California
Created on: 2013.02.25  




Updated on: 2016.03.24