Stuck By a Student

Let me set you straight on this.  I am a certified gutless wonder when it comes to getting needles stuck into me.  I have to get a blood test every 4-6 months to test my glucose, cholesterol, thyroid hormone and whatever else my nurse practitioner, Kathy can think of.  I do not enjoy it.

Today Art and I both went in to get our blood drawn.  We got our numbers and he went in immediately with me following behind.  What?  Did you think I'd go first?

He got right to his cubicle where the smiling nurse was waiting.

When I went to my assigned cubicle, someone was still sitting there.  The fellow outside asked me if I wouldn't mind waiting in the waiting room.

I waited.  I wondered why I had to since I saw several other seats with nurses who had no patients.

Finally, the fellow came out to get me and said I should come to another little room where I could have my blood drawn.  I went in and saw a nurse who looked wonderfully competent.  She smiled encouragingly.  I was relieved.

I sat down.

Then the fellow asked me with a halting voice what my birthdate was and what my social security number was.  That was puzzling.  Usually, they just look at my military card and that would be enough.  I gave him the information.

"Ummm...  I mean your husband's social security number," he corrected.  I'm wondering why he was asking me all this.  Why wasn't that very experienced looking nurse doing this?  Why was this taking so long?

Then the fellow asked me which arm I preferred.  Why was he asking me this?  I told him my left.

He moved everything so my left arm could be skewered.  Uh ohhhhh...  He then brought out the needle and little capsules that would be used.  Uhhhh oh....

Now  I was nearly freaking out.  I'm thinking... I'll bet this kid has never done this before.  I'll bet he might stick that needle right to my bone.  I'll bet he won't know which direction to stick the needle.

"Clench your fist," he said.  I could barely understand, let alone hear him.  Why didn't he give me that little rubber ball that they always give me to pump?  It was right next to him.

He tied on the rubber tourniquet while mumbling the sequence to himself.

"Should I stop clenching?" I asked.

"If you want to," he answered.  What?  Didn't he know?  "Is the table height comfortable for you?" he asked.

"Don't worry about me," I said faking a chuckle.  "Please make it easiest for you."  I meant that.

I reminded myself that I am a teacher.  I know students need to learn.  I have to give this young person a chance.  I looked at the nurse instructor who kept on smiling the entire time.

The student technician then began tapping the inside of my elbow trying to find my vein.   Sensing that he was really tapping a place that no other nurse had tapped before, I pointed to where it was usually done.

Then I turned away.

After more taps, I felt the poke.  It wasn't bad at all and I could tell my blood must have been flowing nicely because I could swear I heard a sigh of relief.... or maybe that was me.

When I turned around again, the capsules were full and I was ready to leave... but no... that wasn't all.  The nurse brought out a urine sample bottle with some sanitary wipes.

"Do you know how to do a clean catch?" he asked barely meeting my eyes.  I could guess, but I said no.  I could almost see his face drop to the floor as he tried to form the right words of explanation.

"This is for a diabetes sugar test," said the nurse.  "It isn't really necessary."

Let me tell you, I don't know who was happier, me or the student technician.

I smiled and told him, "You were very good."

When I went back to the waiting room, Art stood and asked perplexedly, "What kept you?  I've been waiting out here forever.  I got done really fast.  It was a breeze."

Next time we go for a blood test, I'm going in first.