Something should be done about training the draw-ers of blood. I don't mean the mozzies cos they do their job painlessly and without much fuss. I mean the underqualified noobs called trainees at hospitals. I get that I'm younger than most patients there but I still prefer painlessness over pain any day.
Before she could even determine the proper vain, she goes in for the first jab... if you're wincing at this point, don't read on.
SHE WIGGLES and PRODS the needle further in because she can't get blood. DUH! You poked the wrong part of the vain (if she even DID get the vain!) After a few more seconds of painful (I have a super high tolerance to pain so if I'm saying it's painful, it's painful) prodding and sliding the needle in and out, I tell her to move on to the other vain (which is more visible). She does and this time the slide in is uncomfortable and more sharp. AGAIN! She prods, slides in and out. Arghhh. And she didn't even wipe off the increasing blob of blood from the first prick. Finally, after much apologising, she calls for a more senior person.
This lady talks about my shoes, about uni, about exams and the actual process of drawing blood. She realises I'm beyond queasy and frightened. I'm looking straight at my arms while she's doing the deed by the way. Oh, and she draws the blood from my right arm. I had a real bad experience the last time and refuse to give my right arm but there was no more space to prod anymore on my left... so no choice. Pfftt. It's been 2 hours but my arms are still throbbing and the right has swollen and starting to turn an ugly shade of purple. Sigh. It's 2 days and I'm worried I'll have to contend with a nasty looking elbow. Arghhh.
DISCLAIMER: Pictures included, please refrain if you're the type to feel my pain.
Pictures included to substantiate my point:
The final draw from the right arm. The discolouration has set in already at this point. It's actually still bleeding but I wiped it off for a cleaner shot for the squirmish types.
The two horrible attempts on the left arm. Pen markings are to show puncture marks.