Posted 7/23/2010 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
Oh skeye, I can soooooo appreciate what you're saying. My veins are so tiny, plus they are covered in scar tissue from previous attempts. They have a tendency to either collapse or roll if you're lucky enough to get a needle into the vein. It averages 5 attempts before a good one, and the nurses now know they have to write "do not remove" on it unless it becomes infected (our hospitals have a policy that an IV has to be changed every three days).
I think the worst for me was when I was scheduled to have surgery on my bladder. I was told to arrive at the hospital in the early afternoon, but not to have anything to eat or drink after midnight. Because of problems getting an IV started in the past, I was actually IN the OR, while the anesthetist was trying to get the IV started. Well, naturally my teeny veins decided to become extra stubborn after becoming dehydrated from waiting so long. This doctor tried for almost an hour to get the IV inserted - they even tried to run a central line through a vein in the groin, but my veins were sooooo collapsed from everything, it was just impossible to get anything happening.
The doctor cancelled the surgery and I was sent to recovery for an hour to make sure there were no bleeding problems from the incisions in the groin. They allowed me to use the portable phone and I had to call Ray to come pick me up asap, as the surgery wasn't happening. I was so upset by this whole thing...but I managed not to cry until Ray showed up...he started walking me out of the ward and down the corridor when I suddenly just burst into tears and started sobbing right there about everything....the pain, the frustrations, the disappointments...everything just sorta hit me at once. Ray got me home, sat me on the couch, got me a glass of wine, and then sat down beside me - and opened his arms wide so I could be enveloped in his hug . Oh, I cried. Everything I've held in for the last 5-10 years came flowing out like the Niagara Falls. That's the way I think God loves us...arms wide open, and ready to wrap us up in His love.
I'm sorry - I didn't mean to hijack this thread. What I wanted to say was that I love how technology keeps improving to make things better. Personally, I just want one single pill that you take in the morning, that tastes like your favourite fresh picked fruit and that piece of fruit contains everything you need to be healthy and happy. What I have learned about technology is that there's always a newer/better/bigger model out there than the one you just got. When you buy, buy with your gut once your mind has decided...just do it. The longer you wait, the higher the risk you'll experience.
hugs,
Pam