They get two tries, that's it
I've been sent home bruised and battered too many times
And the way my brain works I start to believe it's intentional, they're sadistic. So to keep my energy right, not be thrown off by sadism or incompetence, I refuse to let them touch me after the second fail
I've always been a hard stick. One time I went 12 hours with everyone in the damn hospital trying to put in an IV. No joke 4am they called in their most experienced EMT and he looked at my arm, said " skin like leather" and stuck that line so fast I had no pain and no bruising.
So he told me a trick and it's always worked; ask for a nurse from cardio or someone from emergency because they are used to hitting veins that are not only hard but upside down and in emergency. It's always worked.
I've had times where they try to call in the specialist team and I'm like nope just call cardio or emergency and it always works. Some of the best medical advice I've ever received honestly.
I usually have good luck with blood draws, because I have a vein that’s like a neon sign. But my last one, she somehow missed it! I couldn’t be upset, because she was embarrassed and felt bad.
I have super jumpy veins - they slide out of the way of needles. My hand backs, however, are another story. Taking blood from my inner elbows: 90 minutes of sheer agony & no guarantee it will work. Taking blood from my hand backs: slight sting, over with in 5 minutes on a bad day.
I've had a lot of phlebotomists tell me I'm the anomaly, but that's okay, I'm contraindicated for freaking everything. Whatever the warning is on the packet, it'll do the exact opposite for me. Makes you drowsy? I don't take it at night. Expect weight gain? Time for me to buy smaller clothes. lol
For some, the inability to find a vein is like a personal challenge. I have had to tell them to stop continuing to poke me like I'm a pin cushion. Wish we could have the same person doing the draws once we find someone capable.
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I've been sent home bruised and battered too many times
And the way my brain works I start to believe it's intentional, they're sadistic. So to keep my energy right, not be thrown off by sadism or incompetence, I refuse to let them touch me after the second fail
https://youtu.be/Ja4v-qiFvBg?feature=shared