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Give Me the Right Needle
We have become products of medical intervention. Every appointment we have, every medical emergency we face, we seem to become dulled to the idea of innovation. We become books of our bodies’ health issues. We take pills we don’t need and supplements we don’t want. We try to hone our bodies into medical miracles. Science will fix everything.
I sit in my doctor’s office to get blood drawn. They look at me, swab my arm.
“Please use a butterfly needle.” I state.
“What?”
“That needle won’t work, you need a butterfly needle.”
“Okay?” They say, but mostly ask.
“I have been told I have tough skin and that my veins roll. Please use a butterfly needle.”
“This is a new type of needle.” They tell me.
I sigh. I know I’ll end up looking like a heroin addict today.
They stick me, and couldn’t break through the skin.
Once more, it’s a no entry.
They stick me again and get through the skin but my vein rolls.
I giggle.
They click their tongues at me.
They stick me one more time, and my vein rolls.
Frustration plays across their faces.
I won. I see my hypodermic friend coming out of a drawer. It’s pretty medicinal blue wings waving at me.
They stick me and my blood geysers.
I smirk.
They roll their eyes.
“How did you know what needle to use?” Their frustrations have melted into curiosity.
“Had a spinal tap over the summer and a bout involving IV antibiotics, but before all that no one could get at my veins.”
“Tough skin.” They say.
“I told you.”
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Comment by: Judy - 2008-02-24 22:31
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| Interesting how you summed up the fact that usually the patient knows their own body and just once it would be nice if the nurse or doctor could listen. Good story. |
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Even "C" students graduate with MDs
I've been through the needle thing, getting blood pulled for an insurance policy. My wife was the "hard stick." She was ready to strangle the RN after five minutes.
Good one, Leila. |
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| My mother's a doctor but she's never done any medical thing infront of me. It's quite lovely though, the way you've written it. It's a very important topic people don't normally pay any attention to. In short I like the whole theme... |
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Comment by: Dakota - 2008-02-15 14:03
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Amazing. Amazing work - an amazing subject that needs writing about.
It never ceases to amaze me that people put such faith in their doctors - these people who treat symptoms - never the cause. People - who essentially - profit from your sickness. Drug pushers who peddle the wares of huge corporations - that rarely care - unless for personal gain.
A fascinating subject - one which so many struggle with - because they willingly put their lives in anothers hands. Why shouldn't we know what is good for us - what is best for us? Why can't we speak out? Why can't we be respected enough to be heard? |
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Comment by: wizzer - 2008-02-13 19:11
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excellent story again
repeat of vein rolls does strengthen what you said first time ...could try vein slithers away or dips away shrugs off the needle??? but rolls is fine of course
the butterflies i used were green but they were small and i never took blood from them i'm more a giver than a taker!
xxxgeo |
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