...his own survival.
Welp, I made it through that thing I was dreading.
Other than the reflexive "Oh!" that escaped my mouth as the needle entered my vein, the procedure was completely fine. I didn't vomit, I didn't faint, and I even made it to the fill line inside that little plastic pee cup afterward.
(I know, I know..."not all heroes" and all that.)
There was a moment, though...
Stuck to the corner of the phlebotomist's computer monitor was an adorable circular sticker of a smiling cartoon hound dog that said: I did good!
I stared at that sweet little pup's face the whole time blood was draining out of my body, and came this close to asking if I could have one, but I managed to exercise what little restraint I possess and kept my mouth shut.
Let's be honest though, was anyone ever so brave?
Oh well, at least I know—I did good!