~At the clinic getting a physical for the Army on Tuesday morning~
The words poured over me like so many bitter herbs. A figurative acid in the eyes and sucker punch to the gut. Anxiety levels peaked.
Nurse: "Okay, well, let's go ahead and draw your blood and get this thing over with..."
~several minutes later, post sanitizing arm~
Nurse: "Okay, so you'll feel a little stick."
OH! MY! GOSH!, I screamed on the inside.
~needle inserting vein on my right arm. 20 seconds elapse~
Nurse: "Okay, how are you doing?"
Me (losing consciousness): "Yeah, not so good."
~moments later, coming out of anxiety-induced fainting spell to observe room full of nurses and doctor~
Doctor (putting ice pack down my shirt): "Yeah, you'll be okay. Just wait a few minutes and then they'll try sticking you again."
~exit doctor~
~enter original nurse~
Nurse: "Yeah, I tried to get enough blood the first time, but you passed out too soon. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO STICK YOU AGAIN." (emphasis added)
~roll ominous/hopeless music. cue curtain. fade to black~
___________
Editor's Note: I realize I have problems/phobias. And it seems to be getting worse. Oy! Vey! Two fainting spells in the last two needle sticks.
Getting stuck sucks. Can I just live in the Star Trek world with the needle-less shots? Please, take me there. I beg you. Beam me up.
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Oh dear John...as a nurse...I really can sympathize with your "issue"...but of course on the other end. My favorite story is when I was starting an IV on a little baby, and the mother passed out on the other side of the gurney. By myself, I managed to grab her shirt before she crashed to the floor, gently slide her down, AND save the IV! So, I understand your dilemna - just wonder if some bio-feedback wouldn't help?! Let me know how the next one goes...can I assume you don't give blood?! Just kidding. So sorry my friend, but I'm smiling anyway :-) (is that bad of me?!)
I, for one, commend your bravery in publicly acknowledging your needle phobia. Take solace in the fact that I have been a life long needle- induced passer-outer and am only recently strong enough to acknowledge and embrace it. Note: it doesnt get better with age, sorry cuz. I passed out again in February. I guess we can chalk this up to genetics? Gran must have carried the recessive needler gene...