You see, I volunteered...to give blood. Cue the mwhahahahahahas!
Seriously. I'm not excited about this. It saves lives blah, blah, blah! It's just that needles and I have a history and it's not pretty.
Like most people my age, I've had my wisdom teeth out. I think three if not ALL of the teeth were impacted which basically means they were growing in sideways. The dentist or oral surgeon or whatever said that he HIGHLY recommended I have anaesthesia. They were going to have to drill my teeth into bits to more easily remove them and according to that guy, I wouldn't want to be awake for it. I'd have to agree. So there I am, sitting in the operating chair, minding my own business, just waiting to get a needle and drip hooked to me.
I tell the nurse, "I have bad veins. Whenever I've had to give a blood sample, they can't get the veins to come up." She assures me that that won't be a problem.
"He's a professional! He always gets the vein."
He's slapping and flicking and hitting my arms. Nothing.
Prick one. Prick two. Prick three! I only wish I was talking about guys here!
"Let's switch to your other arm."
Prick four! Pricks five and six!
"I didn't want to have to do this but I'm going to try and use the vein in your wrist or hand. They are much harder to get to but nothing else is working."
At this point I'm crying or holding back tears. Mom had been called into the room to hold my hand. I'm not afraid of needles or blood but I'd been sitting in this chair for a good 30 minutes to an hour while some guy hits my arms and stabs me with a needle. Repeatedly. I'm starting to bruise. I just wanted those damn teeth out!
As you might've guessed the wrist/hand vein didn't work either. At this point I got some hilarious, (at least to me) news. He's gonna write me a prescription for a Valium. Just one. I'm to take it an hour before my new, rescheduled appointment. Apparently it helps plump up your blood vessels. I'm to wear socks and shoes. (I was in flip-flops. The easier to take off when I was drugged up and trying to go to sleep afterwards.) Warm clothes. I'll be the first appointment. They'll turn the heat up in the operating room. Whatever they can to get those blood veins plumped up!
I come back a week or so later. Valium swallowed down and sweatpants on. Prick one...it goes in! It hurts though, it's very uncomfortable. Actually, it really hurts.
"Ok we'll try again!"
Prick two in the other arm. Success! Thank Jesus because I was seriously about to start crying again!
The story pretty much ends there. I had my teeth out, slept for hours on end intermittently being woken up by my mother to take my pain pills. (I had Vicodin that time! I have a story about that too ;).)
My long and winding and winded point is: my veins hate needles. And I'm giving blood tomorrow afternoon.
I just keep telling myself: It saves lives It saves lives It saves lives AND you'll be able to finally find out your blood type!
Wish me luck!
Good for you for donating! Ugh, I don't do well with getting blood drawn either - I have HORRIBLE veins. (As in, they always have to take it out of my hand because they can never find them in my arms). Drink LOTS of water before you go - it helps them find veins easier.
ReplyDeleteDonating is such a good idea. Just think, it's only 15 minutes of being uncomfortable for you, but you are saving a life! Becky is right, make sure you drink lots and lots of water. Being hydrated makes your veins nice and plump so hopefully you'll only need one prick :)
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