On 3rd shift one night, the huge chemistry analyzer malfunctioned and I very much needed to get it running again. I got on the phone with tech support and was following instructions.
I couldn’t reach inside, so I pulled up a one-step ladder for added reach. I am only about 5’ tall and still couldn’t reach, so throwing caution to the wind and being desperate to get up and running again, I climbed up on top of the beast, followed instructions and got it fixed.
When I went to get back down on the floor, I missed the step stool, and landed, WHOMP! flat on my back on the floor, basically unhurt, but a bit winded by the impact. My good friend and 3rd shift lab secretary, Linda C. Mooney, aka Elsie Moo, startled by the noise of the impact, asked, “Now what have you done, Gracie?” Ironically implying that grace in action was sorely lacking by yours truly.
The nickname stuck, and I was known as “Gracie” from then on. Just as a side note, I was able to have no further adventures on top of chemistry analyzers for the rest of my lab career!
Submitted by:
Eileen DeAngelis
Medical Technologist/Scientist
Maryland, USA
