Mastodawn

Today I got more confirmation that I am indeed less afraid of needles than most people

Which is pretty neat considering that I spent much of my childhood afraid of hemocrit tests or vaccinations after the time I got post exposure rabies vaccination when I was 5

It’s just a tool that makes a little hole in the flesh, no big deal (but also amazing and cool)

Show thread

recursive 🏳️‍🌈1d ago

Actually the big thing that changed it for me was taking an injectable medicine. Doing so slowly and in a controlled way (no auto injector) really taught me to feel in control of the process. My current level of comfort with other people sticking needles in me (I can finally comfortably watch venous blood draws) came somewhat after that

Show thread

keeps vis.social running

@recursive I usually look away, and talk to distract myself and comfort my caretaker.

When I don't feel it, or barely feel it, I always remark that they're really good at this.

I've had so very much blood drawn in the past two years. I've never had a 'bad' blood draw in that time. But some phlebotomists are truly exceptional.

Show thread

recursive 🏳️‍🌈9h ago

@kristinHenry in an area like that, in my experience half of the time it cause no pain at all. Where the skill comes in I think is being steady and not making it worse when it does hurt