Monday, June 20, 2011

When Phlebotomy Goes Wrong...

Ok, it didn't go wrong, really.  And I had to keep telling the phlebotomist that the problem was ME, and not her, so try again.  First stick?  Into a little vein in my forearm, two inches below the crook of my elbow.  


This was my regular blood-letter, and this is where she got the blood three weeks ago.  But, it blew out.  Ok, second stick?  Just to the side of the crook of my elbow.  I've had good luck with that one.  But, it blew out.


Now the plebotomist has tears in her eyes and offers to go get someone else.  "Honey, it's not you.  You know I have crappy veins, and you aren't even hurting me.  Let's try one more."


Third stick's the charm!  Into the hand she goes.  This is NOT my favorite place, but it did the job, and we both felt much better.  But, I have to say, you should have seen the looks on peoples' faces as I slowly hobbled out of there with three bandages on my one arm.  I saw one guy just turn white as a sheet.  Hehehe, I feel bad that I enjoyed that. :D


The point is, the pain involved in a needle piercing your skin isn't worth worrying about.  It's inconsequential, in the general scheme of pain.  Oh yes, I know that very well.


But that's not to say that you can't experience real, ugly pain during a blood-letting.  Just hit a nerve.... oy VEY!  Anywho, all you future phlebotomists out there, yes, care about your patients and their comfort, but don't let one bad stick screw with your self-confidence.  You can do it!  Be strong, and always approach your patient as if YOU are the gold standard for phlebotomists.


I am SO tired right now.  I'm dreading the six hour chemo tomorrow; not the actual infusion because that's cake, but the week following it is more like ... well, I can't come up with a good food analogy, but it's bad. :D


I'll probably post during the infusion; I'm taking the BIG RED gaming laptop with me tomorrow.  May as well get in some World of Warcraft while the poisons seep into my body. ;)


Stay well, all.  Hugs to everyone!

2 comments:

  1. Good luck for tomorrow girlfriend. Yeah you might as well do something enjoyable while being poisoned.

    I too have bad veins and feel your pain. I always tell them to use one of those little butterfly thingies, they work better, but they always know better and after a couple of sticks they usually resort to what I said in the first place. I bruise real easy so always look like I have been in the torture chamber.

    This thing called living sure is hard to do some days. Healing thoughts to you.
    fay in the family room (it is rainy and damp but warm here today).

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am another with bad veins - when I went to the ER the other week it took four locations to get three vials of blood and get a working IV in....
    But I'm used to it, I warn them. As Fay says, sometimes they don't listen....

    ReplyDelete

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