Hooray for (hopefully) the last blood draw for quite awhile!
I had my 33 week check-up today (I will post another progress picture soon), and much to my surprise, I had to get my blood drawn again. Now, if you know me, then you likely know that not only do I not like medical things in general, but I have a specific aversion to needles.
So you can imagine my disappointment when the nurse told me that due to a new 2010 law, all pregnant women have to get an HIV test in the 3rd trimester. I asked her if I could just swear that I didn't have HIV, but she said no. They would just test the baby later if I refused to give blood today.
So my dear future daughter, I took one for the Rama team today. Be sure to thank me later ;)
Seriously though, I think this is the 4th or 5th blood draw since October and I'm glad to have it behind me. There is one phlebotomist in particular that I dread having take my blood. So I was specifically praying that I wouldn't get her today (had her the first time and don't want to re-live that). When Amar suggested that maybe that wasn't the best prayer, I switched to "please let me get someone who is compassionate" and gave that a spin.
Well, the first prayer was definitely answered: I didn't get the person I was dreading. However, the second prayer...not so much.
I typically explain to the nurse that "I'm not so good at the needles and blood thing" and they typically respond with "Awww, we'll make sure this isn't too bad." This is a dialogue I can support.
However, when I started my speech this morning, the guy barely acknowledged that I was speaking. Not a good sign.
After I closed my eyes, he then proceeded to jab the needle about halfway through my arm. Pain when shooting through my body. Then when he was done, he started wrapping the gauze and tape around the (still throbbing) wound. When he went to tear the tape off, he pressed (rather firmly) right where he had poked me. Yikes!!
I'm SO glad that Amar was there with me (even though friends/family are supposed to wait in the lobby). I got out of there as soon as I could, and then started to feel a little weak on the way back to the car. And, not surprisingly, I started crying.
Hormones!! Gotta love 'em.
To summarize:
All is well
I still don't like needles
I (still) know without a doubt that I was never meant to be a doctor
2 comments:
You are not alone. I have a cousin that is the same way. I still have no idea how she got her little baby out of her. But they all got through it beautifully. I'll be praying for you and a needle less delivery. ;)
the crying bit is too cute--and you said it: you gotta love hormones!
needles: i'm not in love with them, but i'm okay with them. patrick--not so much. he didn't cry in the car, but he did nearly pass out in the waiting room, luckily a sweet nurse led him to a bed to lay down before that happened . . . he also makes me hold the babies whenever they need injections.
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