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500ML of blood drawn, it is a start

bpost
I have a phobia of needles, it is pretty bad.  I shiver, break out is sweats cross my legs and can't stop shaking like a dog pooping a peach pit.  Well, I am just going to have to get over it in a go fast hurry.  It does not really hurt it is the idea that someone is stabbing me with a hollow tube and draining out stuff that is mine!  This week the poor nurse missed the vein on my right arm and they really stick out well, after much fiddling  she apologized profusely and had to use my left arm.

Polycythemia Vera's treatment is draining blood out of you on a regular basis until the counts are acceptable.  I go each Friday for the next month getting 500ML drained each time while they monitor the counts.  First they draw blood to check counts STAT.  When the results come back and this weeks was higher than last week they draw 50 tubes of blood to reduce counts.  Unfortunately and sadly the blood is wasted, it can't be used for any purpose even plasma so it is discarded.

I also have to go to Lancaster OH to get a bone marrow sample taken.  The goal is to see if I have any scaring of the marrow that could lead to other crappy things happening.  I am serious when I say I am frightened of this test.  I am being driven there by a friend and am going to insist they give me Valium or something to keep me calm.  I am sure I will eventually get over the needle thing but right now it really bugs me and it sucks being a sissy.
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Comments

14 comments

Date Votes
  • Alpine
    Yeah. That wouldn't work for me. I am a diabetic and give myself at least 2 shots a day.
    No big deal.
    0
  • Don McManus
    Here you go, Bruce.

    No needles with these guys.

    https://www.medicalleeches.com/
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  • mogley98
    Hang in there I'm praying you don't get any worse news.
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  • Mr. Perfect
    I'll say a prayer for ya boss. Maybe practice some on yourself, til you can do it?
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  • select-fire
    I am allergic to needles
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  • hillbille
    I am allergic to needles
    I think they have a shot for that.......
    12
  • jimdeere
    I hate needles, I could never be a user. I went to the Health Department when I was 18 to get a penicillin shot and passed out on the floor in front of 15 kindergarteners.
    I hope you can overcome this, Bruce. Best wishes.
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  • cbxjeff
    Hate to offer bad news Bruce but I have been getting routine blood draws 3 times a year for 20 years and still hate it.  Rarely  if ever hurts but the anxiety is the real problem.  Hang in the buddy.
    3
  • redneckandy
    I can give shots to livestock all day long but you better keep that needle away from me! About the only thing worse in my mind is peeling a fingernail off..
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  • jltrent
    Good luck on your tests as getting old is not for sissys........... 
    3
  • mac10
    my granny had this in the old days she would go in for a bleed out ...brought it home for blood pudding:D
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  • KenK/84Bravo
    mogley98: 31536023401755/comments/31536025332379
    Hang in there I'm praying you don't get any worse news.

    +1 Hate to hear that Bruce. Best Wishes & Prayers sent your way.

    -Ken-

    3
  • buddyb
    I am scared of needles too.I had to have cardiac by pass surgery 4 years ago and was in the hospital for about 10 days.By the time I got out I had lost count of the needle sticks.
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  • victorj19
    Over the years I donated blood at the Red Cross 71 times.  Watched those big old needles being inserted each time.  I always ask to see the needle for a blood draw since I spotted one that had a piece of metal on it that hadn't been completely ground or polished off (poor quality control).  That one could have really torn up my veins.
    3

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