we seriously have to talk about this?

because… well.

so, if you have a fear of needles, you should probably tell the people who are about to draw your blood. also? if you have any sort of history of fainting while getting your blood drawn, you should bring that up. oh, and if you have epilepsy. tell the nice lady with the pointy stick.

jesus tapdancin’ christ, y’all.

so, my patient is this tiny little woman. with her two kids in the waiting room. who sits in the chair and says she doesn’t like getting her blood drawn. okay, no worries. she jumps just as i get the needle in her arm, and i miss the vein. so, that’s my bad. i get another woman to draw from the other arm. i’m just standing there, for no reason. the patient says, ‘… feel dizzy…’ and passes out. and then has a seizure.

with a needle in her arm.

i was the only thing between her and the floor, so i guess it’s good that i stood there. she’s fine, by the way. her kids didn’t see anything, so they don’t have any huge trauma associated with needles. they actually got free stickers out of it. but come on, folks. the stabby people? we’re pretty nice people. we’re not in this to hurt you, or cause you pain. we do what we do out of empathy.

yes, empathy. because my next patient was 12 months old. and we needed her blood for the doctor to properly diagnose her condition. that kid hated my guts, and i cried a little because drawing blood from kids so little really sucks. so, it’s not like i’m in this for the glamour, or to make friends.

my point is this. if you have an issue, tell the people who are trying to take care of you. if you don’t tell them, they may not know.

and always let the student draw you. thanks for stopping by.