Advocate!

I have learned you have to advocate for yourself in the whole medical world. I went in for a blood draw years ago, and Atilla the Hun dug around in my arm until I'm pretty sure the needle came out my elbow. I sat there quietly grimacing thinking it was just my veins, she was doing fine. Duh. I went in a week later because Atilla hadn't taken care of the sample in time and we had to have a do over. The next woman saw my bruised arm and was in shock. I finally realized that It wasn't normal to feel a needle stick through your elbow. 

After that awakening I started speaking up a bit. "Um, my veins are kinda hard to handle." I thought this would do it, but no. Blood draws have been an experience of Atillas, women with twitches, raise your hand over your head, slapping the veins, etc. Today was a pre-op blood draw. I sat down and said "ok, it has to be my right arm, it's been a little difficult at times, they usually think the needle is in, then as they start to draw it pops out & we have to start again. What has worked is a tube like structure on the end of a needle." (Today I learned that situation is a butterfly) 

One attempt, needle in, no elbow, no bruising, blood drawn, home. 

They have a lot of training in the medical world, I have to train them for me.