I went for a blood test a week ago. It was a long wait. They must be short of phlebotomists on the island. When it was finally my turn, the technician asked me if I might faint during the blood draw. I said I haven't before and should be fine. She told me to be sure and let her know if I was uncomfortable. I told her I’d be OK and smiled reassuringly which she, of course, couldn't see because I was wearing a mask.
She tied the rubber strap on my upper arm and told me to clench a fist. She then got the needle ready along with the two vials she’d be taking.
OK… I looked away. I never like to see the needle being inserted.
OK… That was very good. I (sort of) hardly felt the pinch. I told her she was great. I was happy to get that part over with.
But then she seemed to be struggling with the vial or something.
When I turned to look there was no blood. How is that possible? That’s the first time I didn’t produce any blood after a needle was inserted. Didn’t I drink enough liquids? Am I dehydrated? She kept tapping my arm with a gauze. Nothing. Totally clean.
I knew she was very nervous about asking to stick me again, but I told her to go ahead and do it and she did. No, I didn’t look. OK… that pinch was more of a punch but thank goodness it was a gusher.
When I got home, I saw the two little dots that showed where the needle pokes were. And it was a little black and blue. The pokes are close together but one is a gusher and one is not.
I wonder if that’s what it’s like when they drill for oil.
Sheesh!
Has this ever happened to you?
My hubby has to have a PSA test quarterly. Some days it takes three arms, as they go back to the first one. They now use a butterly needle on his hand. Good thing you got it done!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh sorry but glad the 2nd prick worked!
ReplyDeleteI have given blood for years but I have never had that done
ReplyDeleteOnly one time in my life did they have trouble getting blood out of me, now days on blood thinners, they have to work a little to get the blood stopped usually. The one time they had trouble was when I had c diff and was very dehydrated. The first phlebotomist tried 3 times and nothing came out, so she went and got a different phlebotomist and that person got blood on the second time. I was starting to feel like a pin cushion. I always watch what they do. It is interesting to me. Very rarely blood draws have ever been painful for me.
ReplyDeleteWell that had to be weird and scary. She had to have just missed the vein. I love it when they do a great job and always compliment them when they do.
ReplyDeleteMy veins are such that they have never had to poke more than once but I know people who fairly often have to undergo multiple jabs to "strike it rich!"
ReplyDeleteJust had my blood drawn yesterday (and last week) - with no problems. I have easy veins (luckily). There was only one time that they had trouble and it was because I was dehydrated and it took 2 nurses and a doctor to finally strike it rich (that was a bit painful). Don't know if it helps, but when they are doing it, I concentrate on making my blood flow freely (silly, probably).
ReplyDeleteOnce in a while they have issues but not generally. I can't look either although having my blood taken/needles don't bother me at all. I just don't like seeing the needle in my vein. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't look either. I have never failed to produce blood on the first stick. I have been complimented on my good veins. I'm glad some things are still working on this body of mine.
ReplyDeleteOh no, you should NOT tell me this right after I just read "DRACULA"!! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteShe probably missed the first time.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me only once. I probably have larger veins so it's easier to hit the target. I have an appointment next month to do all the lab tests needed for my yearly check up.
ReplyDeleteYou are a trooper dear! I look away too. It is their job after all. I just have to be there. I just close my eyes and think of England as they say
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: 😂🤣😂🤣
DeleteHappens a lot on a hospital floor. Those were a tad unique questions, so the sticker probably is less experienced. Sometimes veins roll, or move away from the needle going in. Our floor rule was "3 sticks, then you call the ICU nurse or head phlebotomist." I've had to literally tape good veins in position to get them to stay in place for sticks. Drug addicts typically have terrible veins. I've seen the pros literally move the needle back and forth to get to the blasted vein. Drinking a bit extra fluid before you get stuck could help. Try to grown better veins! When they have a doctor do the blood draw, it's a bad thing, cuz they rarely stick people. Depending on the lab tests needed, using a butterfly, which is a smaller needle, won't always work. Tiny needles "bang up" the red blood cells and the lab calls the nurse asking for a redraw with a bigger gauge needle. When giving blood to a patient, we're required to have a bigger needle, and a second IV site ready, in case the one we're using "blows", goes bad, blocks up. I think God should create everyone with imbedded port-a-cath IV sites in their body at birth. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI think the worst poke I ever had was for my reclast infusion. Two different phlebotomists just could not get the needle in for the infusion. The 3rd person came and stuck it (OWWW!) on the side of my wrist which worked but sheesh.... But when I had it done twice at another department they got it in easily on the 1st try. Sheesh! You just never know. Fingers crossed on my next draw. I hope I never have to need blood.
DeleteI also had blood drawn this week, and the nurse/technician was not the most proficient, for it stung quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI'm having blood work on Monday and they always have to multi-jab! Oh the humanity.... Kay you're officially my blood-sister :^)
ReplyDeleteI have one vein on my left arm that always comes through. The other side, my right, doesn't have a good vein and I just tell them to use the "good" one, it works! Glad it only took two sticks. :-)
ReplyDeleteAll the time. And then they jiggle the needle around inside my arm. I am not squeamish. Not at all. It doesn't bother me to have my blood drawn, but for whatever reason, when they jiggle the inserted needle around it makes me sick to my stomach every time. It never lasts long enough for me to actually get sick, but I hate that sensation.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I have no problem with them getting blood. I did however have one bad time in which they stuck me several times and on one stick kept moving the needle around to try to get the flow which caused a huge bruise. That was the worst!
ReplyDeleteThis has happened to me.
ReplyDeleteI now make sure that I am well hydrated and also warm.
But pleased the second attempt worked.
All the best Jan
I am a regular blood donor. I remember giving blood once and the nurse having issues. I heard the term "vein collapse", which sounded concerning, but they said it wasn't.
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