Through the Seasons

Hospital Staff

As I said in my last post (better read it first), the staff at the hospital was amazingly good to me.

One of the things I hate most in life is having blood drawn.  It’s not seeing the needle as much as the thought of veins popping out and that rubber band thing they strap to your arm.  I even hate having my blood pressure taken. 

My IV had to be put somewhere in my lower arm and they had to use that band to try to find a vein.  I knew there was a problem right away because she flipped my arm around a couple times and said something in a strong voice.  I always have these problems.  The lady finally said, “You have little veins.”  Uh-oh. 

They’re trying to find a vein and I’m struggling with the process so I decided to explain why.  I said, “Nipendi” (I don’t like) and pointed to the rubber band thing.  The nurse took it off and then tried squeezing my arm instead.  Not exactly what I had in mind.  The other nurse told her that they need to use the band and she responded in a loud voice, “She doesn’t like it!”  I was like, “No, no!  You can use it.  It’s okay.”  Now you know in the States that would never have happened. 

They finally found their target and tried their best to get the IV set but it wasn’t working out and the more they messed with it, the closer I drifted to la-la land or wherever that is you go when you faint.  They gave up on that one and proceeded to look for another place to poke me.  Before they got very far, Jonathan said, “Anahitaji Coca-cola.”  (She needs a Coke.)  They stopped and said, “Baada [something].”  We just looked at her and she said in English, “Before the needle?”  Oh yeah.  So this nurse left the hospital and went to a store to get me a Coke.  I took a few sips and was fine until the second try.  At least that time was successful.

Each time they were trying to get the IV in I would look away and hum.  They kept giggling about it.  I tell you, African women must be tough.  They didn’t understand my aversion to all this and had no idea I may pass out.  The song I usually sing and the one I started with was “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” but each time I got to the word blood I lost it.  I just couldn’t think so I started humming “Jesus Loves Me”.  It helped.  J

Let’s just say I hope to have zero IV’s in the future but if I get that sick again (assuming the vitamin B complex helps) I’ll go right back for more.  And I’m happy now to know what to expect in the staff there.  We just couldn’t thank them enough.