Bloody
Getting blood drawn is an ordeal for me. This isn't "Ooh I'm a delicate princess, treat me extra special!"
I have small, rubbery, rolling, tough veins, and tough skin. I have on a few notable and awful occasions ended up with six punctures, four dry and two giant blackened knots where the vein ruptured. And that one I think they barely got enough blood to test.
So I postpone my blood tests, which I know I shouldn't. And I fast, and get up early, and drink as much water as I can to help plump up the veins. I also wear warm gloves, and use lotion to soften the skin. And even with all the preparation the poor phlebotomist can barely get any blood.
Today, with all the usual stuff, I went in for my belated blood test. And the first stick in the back of the hand failed. And the second stick on the side of the right arm, weird spot to try, gathered maybe 10cc of blood.
The third try, on the back of the left arm, was a success. I mean, a REAL success not the usual teaspoon we call good enough. It only hurt a little and I filled three tubes. Filled! I doubt anyone who hasn't had the same problem has any idea how happy that made me, I nearly cried. The phlebotomist drew a circle and an arrow on my arm and I took a photo with my phone, far enough back to add a couple scars as reference points, so the next time I go in we can use that spot again.
Now I need to await the results of the test, and I do worry about that. But at least I've got the blood draw over with, and with luck, the next one will be easy!
I have small, rubbery, rolling, tough veins, and tough skin. I have on a few notable and awful occasions ended up with six punctures, four dry and two giant blackened knots where the vein ruptured. And that one I think they barely got enough blood to test.
So I postpone my blood tests, which I know I shouldn't. And I fast, and get up early, and drink as much water as I can to help plump up the veins. I also wear warm gloves, and use lotion to soften the skin. And even with all the preparation the poor phlebotomist can barely get any blood.
Today, with all the usual stuff, I went in for my belated blood test. And the first stick in the back of the hand failed. And the second stick on the side of the right arm, weird spot to try, gathered maybe 10cc of blood.
The third try, on the back of the left arm, was a success. I mean, a REAL success not the usual teaspoon we call good enough. It only hurt a little and I filled three tubes. Filled! I doubt anyone who hasn't had the same problem has any idea how happy that made me, I nearly cried. The phlebotomist drew a circle and an arrow on my arm and I took a photo with my phone, far enough back to add a couple scars as reference points, so the next time I go in we can use that spot again.
Now I need to await the results of the test, and I do worry about that. But at least I've got the blood draw over with, and with luck, the next one will be easy!