Bruised but not beaten!

I had some bloods done today and although it wasnt as unpleasant as yours sounded it was quite an unusual experience for me.  I have had loads taken over the last 3 years and the usual tourniquet goes on, pump your fist/make a tight fist, pressing around loads to find a vein, pump your fist some more, put your arm as straight as it will go, more pressing blah de blah...just hurry up and take the stuff will you!! Well not today...she put the tourniquet on felt for a vein once and in went the needle and out came the blood...no pumping no fumbling, I didnt even have my arm stretched out at an abnormal angle!! She was brill, I will have her again please x

Ps good luck for Monday xx

Poor you, Lizzie. There's a lot of difference between the nurses at my surgery too -- some are smooth and pain-free and some are a bit like having a bikini wax! Good luck with your consultant appointment next week. I'm hoping you'll be celebrating by this time next week.

Love, Wendy xx

I must admit my surgery nurses don't often have a problem, but I now find that the hospital have a special nurse for blood tests, and I go the day before my appointment as it gives me another few days for my counts to go up before I see the oncologist as it is 'on site'.

Just had my 4th session today, and my count has gone down from 1032 in March to  53 last week, doctor is very pleased.

Good luck with yours.

Viv

My sincere sympathy - I've come across these 'gung-ho' merchants who think they are practising for a darts tournament. I am a 'difficult bleeder' and my GP surgery nurses have given up on me and I have to wait for the phlebotomist from the hospital to visit the surgery for my blood tests. Provided they KNOW what they're doing it shouldn't be a problem. Don't be a 'patient' patient - demand proper treatment.

Good luck,

KateG