Today I was given a choice. I think I chose the questionable option. Here's what happened:
I had my respiratory medicine appointment, and they sent me for a few tests, the last of which is called an arterial blood gas, or ABG, in the US. It's called something similar here, because I knew what they were about to do to me, even if they didn't say ABG. Anyway. There's a new less invasive way of doing it now involving the earlobe that I'd never heard of, but medical students still need to learn the old way. So I'm called into the room to get the sample and a very young guy says, "I'm [didn't-hear-his-name], and I'm a student here at the hospital... I would like to do your blood gas if it's okay with you. Are you happy to have me do it?"
The thing with ABGs is they can go just fine, or they can hurt really really badly, or they can kill you. I've had some that were a walk in the park. I've had some that made it challenging to drive home afterward because my forearm hurt excrutiatingly with the least bit of strain. So I look at this very young student and I said, "How do you feel about it? Do you feel comfortable doing it?" He said he'd like to do it. Not quite what I asked. But I replied, "If you are happy to do it, I am happy for you to do it... so, how do you feel?" My point being I didn't want a nervous person doing this test. He again said he'd like to do it. *sigh*
So I let him.
First jab, he stuck the needle in my tender wrist and the artery wasn't where he thought it was. So he pokes the needle around a bit. No blood comes out, so he's obviously not finding the artery. Continues poking around. Still no blood. I'm thinking that arm is now toast and I might have to sort out a ride home. He pulls the needle out. Regroups. Throws away the wasted sharps, washes his hands, gets out another syringe and needle, debating which gauge of needle to use (and briefly opting for the larger one, and I'm all, "Umm... are you sure...?", so he says, "You probably have small arteries" and switches to the smaller gauge). Before he goes in for the second time, he seemed interested in trying my other wrist. I said no to that idea. I'll stick with just one f'ed up arm, please and thank you. Keep digging at this one. So then we found my artery together. I suggested he go a bit "north" of where he'd been poking around before, he went in a struck oil, and I was soooo relieved. I mean, there's a needle in my artery and it hurts, but at least I know this will all be over soon as the syringe is filling up slowly.
So... I've since had two ibuprofen to keep the discomfort to a very dull ache in my wrist. Hopefully, that'll be the extent of it. Ask me tomorrow if I have serious regrets.
