On Pins and Needles
Blood work. Shot. Vaccination. At a doctor's appointment all these words get my heart racing. Since childhood, needles have made me nervous, but it's not all just in my head. I carry a distinct memory of my first vaccinations as a kid. When I came home from grueling session (I recall four shots), I was limping. That's a poor way to begin building someone's resolve in the face of routine medical procedure. Luckily my tolerance improved.
Now shots are no problem for me, but giving blood is still a challenge. In high school I had surgery and my first experience with an IV. The feel of the IV pumping liquid into my veins was strange and unpleasant. The nurse adjusted the machine, but it still sucked. That experience made me nervous about any medical procedure involving my veins. Then recently I had to give blood after fighting a sudden nasty fever. Getting three vials of blood required two nurses and piercing both my elbows and hands at least twice. It was horrible. Fortunately this taught me to warn the nurse of phlebotomist that I have small veins. Hooray for those little quirks that make you, you. My veins are inconveniently never swollen at the moments doctors take my blood. They only make appearances randomly throughout the day when they know they're in the clear. Capricious little demons. They did okay today though.
Because I requested an overall check-up, my doctor sent me to the lab today. The procedure went much smoother. I warned the doctor about my small veins and told her which arm worked best. She got a sample in only two tries. What left me a bit puzzled was her method of bandaging me up. The previous clinic used the typical bandages you buy at your local pharmacy or grocery store. This lady used medical bandage tape. A bit heavy duty for a piece of cotton covering a needle prick.
Oh, well. They make me feel athletic. Or at least a little dangerous. Now I just need to cook up a good story to go with them.
Now shots are no problem for me, but giving blood is still a challenge. In high school I had surgery and my first experience with an IV. The feel of the IV pumping liquid into my veins was strange and unpleasant. The nurse adjusted the machine, but it still sucked. That experience made me nervous about any medical procedure involving my veins. Then recently I had to give blood after fighting a sudden nasty fever. Getting three vials of blood required two nurses and piercing both my elbows and hands at least twice. It was horrible. Fortunately this taught me to warn the nurse of phlebotomist that I have small veins. Hooray for those little quirks that make you, you. My veins are inconveniently never swollen at the moments doctors take my blood. They only make appearances randomly throughout the day when they know they're in the clear. Capricious little demons. They did okay today though.
Because I requested an overall check-up, my doctor sent me to the lab today. The procedure went much smoother. I warned the doctor about my small veins and told her which arm worked best. She got a sample in only two tries. What left me a bit puzzled was her method of bandaging me up. The previous clinic used the typical bandages you buy at your local pharmacy or grocery store. This lady used medical bandage tape. A bit heavy duty for a piece of cotton covering a needle prick.
Oh, well. They make me feel athletic. Or at least a little dangerous. Now I just need to cook up a good story to go with them.