Comments on: Phlebotomy from hell

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:59:17 +0000

After getting only 3 test tubes of blood taken out of me, I just want to sleep the rest of the day.

By: Tim Dodge

Tim Dodge — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:12:24 +0000

I used to donate blood but had to stop when I became anemic. One of the last times, they had to switch arms and I got a glimpse of the needle. Spent the next half hour with my feet up and an icepack on my chest, trying not to faint. Felt like a total baby. I can put it in perspective now, but at the time it was, to put it mildly, embarrassing. And I had donated dozens of times before. So, stuff like this happens sometimes for no apparent reason. No reason to feel bad about needing help. I’ll bet you’ve helped out people more times than you can remember.

By: Housel

Housel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:35:38 +0000

oh mur.
you are so strong and so brave. you always amaze me.
i’m sorry that you had such a terrible experience. i hope this never happens to you again.
know that you can always call me too.

By: Jesso

Jesso — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:03:02 +0000

Don’t feel bad, and don’t “should” about it. I “should” be able to make it through an OB/GYN appointment without having a panic attack like every other woman ever, but I can’t, so they give me Xanax once a year.

By: Selganor

Selganor — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:43:21 +0000

Don’t worry, people can and do pass out after “just one pint of blood”. It happened to me twice when I was donating blood.

BTW: If you ever get to travel to a magical world, I know the perfect familiar you should look for. A vampiric rust-moster. It would certainly help to keep the iron content in your blood in check.

By: Scott Roche

Scott Roche — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:37:57 +0000

Folks that love you (and it sounds like you’ve got some of those) aren’t going to be thinking “Sheesh, it’s only a pint of blood…” and I don’t think we should ever be afraid to reach out to those that love us in a moment of physical or any other kind of weakness. (Except maybe that toilet cord thing, with you on that 100%.) It’s what they’re there for.

And thanks for letting us in to this part of your life.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:45:27 +0000

Mur-
The whole giving blood thing can be tough, even for those of us who aren’t below the weight limit. The company I worked for had a blood drive and I signed up. I’d never given blood before but I felt it was the right thing to do. It was a little painful but I sucked it up. Unfortunaltey, I then spent the next half-hour bundled up in the break room with the old ladies feeding me cookies and juice. I almost went home. I haven’t given blood since, although I know I should. The fact that you can power through and be brave has given me the inspiration to try again.

Thanks-
Meredith

By: Dani in NC

Dani in NC — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:27:01 +0000

I can identify somewhat with your mindset. In my case, I am a big weenie when it comes to medical procedures, so I overcompensate by pretending nothing bothers me. I may be in pain during a medical procedure and I will sit there and try to gauge whether everyone has this pain or whether it is something I should call attention to. I don’t want to be seen as pitiful because I am the only patient they’ve had to cry during this procedure.

By: brian t

brian t — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:40:29 +0000

Getting blood drawn is something I’ll never get used to, even though I get it every three months, due to being on a drug trial (for a new MS therapy). I have to look away, not because of the blood per se; I just don’t like seeing my arm with a bit of metal stuck in it. The nurse used to tell me “you have good veins” … well, thanks to her ministrations, they aren’t that good any more. 8(

You know what spare blood is good for, if it can’t be donated? Sausage! It’s the main ingredient in Black Pudding in the UK, and other European countries do various kinds of blood sausage such as Blutwurst, With that much iron in it, however, you’d need to keep it away from magnets while cooking.

By: Ben Conley

Ben Conley — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:11:57 +0000

That sounds like a scary time…glad you’re alright.

By: Dharma Kelleher

Dharma Kelleher — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:02:01 +0000

Jason nailed it, Mur. Don’t “should” all over yourself. Just do what you can do. It can be difficult for those of us who take care of others (your daughter in your case, my aging mother-in-law in mine) to let other people take care of us, even when we really need it. But we have to let the love flow both ways. It’s good for us.

I shall keep you and your family in my thoughts, meditations and prayers.

Peace out,
Dharma

By: Lila

Lila — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:57 +0000

Hi Mur,

I know the feeling. I’m also very small (I don’t think I’ve ever weighed more than 100), and I’ve gotten the “anorexic” comments before, even though anyone who’s seen me eat should know better. I certainly can’t give blood either.

One time I was having a blood test done because my mom suspected that I was anemic (I wasn’t), and just the teeny test tube of blood they took was enough to make me feel woozy. Another time I cut my ankle shaving in the shower, didn’t realize how much it was bleeding, and actually blacked out for a second. So I can relate.

It’s definitely interesting to think about what we consider the norms, and how we can be ashamed to admit that we don’t measure up to them – we’re embarrassed about a percieved weakness even when others aren’t judging us poorly because of it.

Thanks for the post.

By: Mur Lafferty

Mur Lafferty — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:30:09 +0000

Aww, thanks Joe, I will take you up on that.

By: Joe Komenda

Joe Komenda — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:26:27 +0000

Please add me as a member of the ‘Take a friend when visiting the phlebotomist’ list, if such a thing exists.

By: Mur Lafferty

Mur Lafferty — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:41:29 +0000

Thanks for the perspective, Jason, I really appreciate it. You’re totally right. And as I said, I’ve learned my lesson. No more going to these things alone.

And the weight is no big deal- the only thing is I get irritated when people make fun of me or call me anorexic. It’s bad to make fun of overweight people, but thin or underweight people are fair game. I’m small. It’s okay; people underestimate me.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:21:13 +0000

Mur, never let it be said you’re not a brave woman. Not only do you get bled on a regular basis, but you’ve got the ovaries to post your actual age AND weight on the Internet. Wow!

I know how you feel about it being “just a pint of blood.” I have a minor heart condition that, essentially, just causes low blood pressure. But it means I can’t give blood, because losing even just one pint could put me in a condition… well, much like the one you unfortunately had to experience. It really makes me feel lousy sometimes, feeling like everyone else can handle it, so I should be able to too.

But, y’know, “should” is a dangerous word. I have to remember that I can’t do some things that everyone else can, but I can do other things that very few other people can, too. I’m me, you’re you, and everyone else is everyone else. Don’t get down because you can’t do what other people can; celebrate what you can do.

Anyway, thanks for sharing! I know it was a crappy day, but at least it turned into an interesting and thought-provoking read.

– Jason