I HATE NEEDLES!!!!
This week I had to get the Mantoux TB test where they inject some substance (that burns once injected into the skin) into my left arm. Once that is done you can not get that area wet for 48-72 hours until you go back to have the results read. If it bubbles up in a blister it might be positive, but they have to measure it, and I guess if it is a certain size it can still be negative, but even if it does not bubble up in a blister you have to go back, thankfully it was negative. I knew it would be but sometimes you never know, it could have been positive, or even a false positive.
And because I hate needles, it took longer than it would have if I just sat down and got it over and done with. First I asked about whether it would hurt or not, then the nurse seeing all the marks on my left arm from pinching myself so I could try and prepare myself for how sore it would be, then I asked if I could get a numbing patch which they sometimes use for blood tests, then being informed that it takes an hour for it to work. So I had to go ask my mom if she minded waiting an hour for it to work…thankfully another nurse came and offered to hold my hand (I know, I know, I’m not a little girl anymore, but when it comes to needles sometimes it does help to have someone hold my hand even though I am 18), my mom did not come in with me because she was afraid that she would make me even more nervous. And just as I had just calmed down, it turned out the syringe was to big. so while the nurse tried to get the substance into a smaller syringe I became nervous all over again. Once it was all over and done with, I felt like a complete idiot, I had made a mountain out of a mole hill.
Even though I still hate the idea of needles being jabbed into me, I am a lot better around them than I used to be when I was around about 9. I used to cry at the thought of needles, but thankfully I have outgrown that phase, now I just need to figure out how to remain calm for the next time I encounter needles.
Meanderings of a BookWorm 