2 Updates

[erastes]

First: Eye updates:

1.  Have found a “dial a ride” service which I’m eligible for, five pounds subscription and book in advance. So that’s terrific. Can’t take me to Dad’s but can take me to hospital. Can’t very well sneakily drive to the hospital and then get my parking validated in the eye department…

2. Rang the doctor and asked him what was happening about the blood tests. Receptionist said letter hadn’t arrived but she’d look into it. Doctor rang about half an hour later (!) and said “no, haven’t had that letter, but let’s take some blood tests anyway.” Then he rang back and letter mysteriously has appeared. Arranged for blood tests tomorrow morning. Am SOOOO not looking forward to those, as I have entirely hidden veins and I’ve had (and I’m not kidding you) nine different nurses attempting to find one vein at one point. I had a nightmare year a few years back where I had a temperature going up and down for months, and they couldn’t track it down. I had months of blood tests and I began to dread them as nurse after nurse after doctor played pin the needle on the Erastes. Slapping and tourniqueting, and tut-tutting.

Nurses you see, and most doctors, ignore any input from the patient. I had learned (because mother had the same problem) that a babies needle used in the foot was the best and easiest way. But DO THEY LISTEN? Do they buffalo.  “Oh you don’t want me sticking a needle in the foot, dear” they said, patronisingly, “it would be very painful.  All I can do is look at the veritable pin cushion and black and blue of my poor arms and wonder if they know what painful really means. I was amazed in fact when the nurse in hospital 2 weeks ago got the Kanula in within three attempts. That was in my hand – perhaps I’ll suggest that to the nurse tomorrow.

Second Ely Update:

I have bought a ton of free stuff from Vistaprint over the last week: postcards, keyrings, a BANNER! A bumper sticker and lots of other goodies. My GRANNY TROLLEY arrived today, too. I’m dying to open the packet and play with it. Whoever comes to the meetup (DO PLEASE COME we’ve still got 20 or so places free) will not go away empty handed. 

 

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Comments

[raevgray.livejournal.com]

I've had similar experiences with drawing blood. I have a few veins that look just dandy--but every single one of them rolls. Every phlebotomist goes for the wrong veins, even though I tell them which one works. I've had the poking and the digging and the puzzled looks many, many times. I'm just like, "Have you done this before? Because I have. THIS one works. No really."

[erastes.livejournal.com]

it seems the experience is universal. I believe now they have rules that they can only try 3 times before sending for someone else - so if they nurse doesn't suceed, I don't know what she'll do. Hopefully there's more than one nurse on hand at the surgery, although I doubt it!

[raevgray.livejournal.com]

Anesthesiologists are much better at poking people, I've found. Hopefully they'll have one handy to help at the surgery!

[beckyblack]

I got signed off from giving blood after apherisis for platelets donation finally did my already shy veins in. I think there are probably ex-heroin addicts with better viens than mine.

One time I had to give a blood sample and nobody at my GP's surgery could get it. Not even out of my hand, not for want of trying - which really hurt. They eventually sent me to the heomophilia clinic at the hospital! Of course just to complicate things I was on crutches becasue of a sprained ankle at the time. I had to keep explaining no, I'm not here for anything to do with the ankle, the crutches are irrelevant, please disregard the crutches! Except, let me sit down now, please!

Life just makes sport of us sometimes, doesn't it?

If I ever need an IV, I'm screwed.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

It's this single fact that stops me from giving blood, looking forward to that ordeal - and believe me, I'm very good with pain, generally - every six months would rattle me too much.

[crawling-angel.livejournal.com]

I know just what you mean. I have to tell nurse/doctor that the best vein is 'just beside that freckle'. They believe me now tho.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

you are lucky! I don't have any visible ones at all. :(

[baritonejeff.livejournal.com]

Whenever I have to have blood drawn from my non-dialysis arm, I insist that they do it from my hand. That goes for IV's as well.

The last time (IV) the nurse insisted that "they" didn't like IV's in the hand. I in turn insisted that one of "them" come and talk with me.

Stick to your guns, honey.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I'll propose the motion and see what they say! :D seems rather unfair of them to take more blood from you - you hardly have it to spare!!

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

My mom has them use what's called a butterfly needle over here, which is what gets used on babies. She thinks that they should use it on more people, but it just doesn't fill up the tubes as quickly, so they just like to use pick honkin' horse-sized things to speed it up, not because it's better for the patient. Anybody who doesn't listen to her, she's learned to kick up enough fuss that they get somebody else to work on. Diabetics have to have too many darn blood tests to put up with wasting time on idiocy.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

That's the one - I'll ask, but I bet I'll get the "nanny knows best routine" as she digs and pokes and bruises and then GIVES UP. huff.

[essayel.livejournal.com]

Ach, blood letting! I'm due my annual trip to the phlebotomist. We are on first name terms, she's been digging around my arms for years but STILL goes for the elbows before using the perfectly happy, prominent, easy vein that runs across my wrist bone. I think it must be the very stupid rules.

Yay, granny trolley! Will you fit a Nerf gatling gun?

[erastes.livejournal.com]

As it turned out it wasn't my trolley, it was 1000 brown paper bags which I bought for my Goody Bags. That'sa lotta bags. I'll have to stay at the writing for a LONG LONG while. I'll be a NY best selling author, and still giving away goodies in cheap brown paper bags... :)

[aunty_marion]

Did you get Vistaprint stickers to put on them, though? That would look cool and neo-post-modern or something...

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I printed my own! didn't think of Vistaprint, i'll have to look into whther they do free ones!

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I love the look of the goodies! But since it's Macaronis stuff, do you want to pass me the .jpg file and I'll get some stuff too? It seems unfair you having to shell out for all the postage and carrying etc.

I went out and booked the pizza place today. So other than nibbles, it's all under control :)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

they are all from their basic design - hence the freeness - but yes, please - add to the pile, always good!

I wish I was staying for pizza, but if I leave at 5 I won't be getting home till 8 as it is. :(

[josephine-myles.livejournal.com]

That's great news about the Dial a ride service :)

I remember when my daughter had heart surgery as a baby - she was like the human pincushion. It took an extra hour or so at the end of surgery for them to manage to get all the lines in as she has hidden veins too. And yes, every time she goes for a blood test I have to tell them again that they'll find it very difficult if they insist on trying to find one in her arm...

[gehayi.livejournal.com]

I feel for you. I used to have good veins--but not since the hospital. All of them collapsed under the assault of multiple blood tests and IVs.The last time I got blood drawn, they had to use a butterfly needle. On both hands, because they didn't get enough the first time. That was AFTER the nurse tried both arms, despite the fact that I told her that the veins had collapsed there.

When I asked her (with some irritation) why she'd tried the area that I'd told her would not work, she said that some people claimed that their veins had collapsed when in fact they were fine, just hypersensitive. Hypersensitive apparently translates to "hurts a hell of a lot, but easy to get blood out of." Gotta say, I don't think much of that theory.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

Collapsed veins ought to be entered in the medical chart when they collapse. It would save patients a lot of pain, and med techs a lot of aggravation. But of course there are some patients who make all kinds of fuss over very little--and make it harder for everyone.

[lee-rowan.livejournal.com]

I give blood occasionally, but not regularly anymore--the nurse calls them "spaghetti veins" because they look perfectly accessible but roll out of the way.

If you get a decent doc or nurse, you might ask for a note to explain to the next one that no, you are not a ninny, you know your body better than they do. Or make a deal... if they can get it first try, fine, otherwise -- go for the ankle!

A nurse friend once told me they try to stay away from ankle veins so they'll have something in case of a life-or-death situation, so that may be part of the problem.

I'm glad you found a ride. Much better than cops and paramedics dragging you out of a ditch because you were too determined to be intrepid.