I was somewhat glad it wasn’t me, he looked ready to draw blood not just literally but figuratively if you know what I mean. Two more patients were attended to before I heard a quiet, “Next,” that was me. I got up confidently and went into the laboratory thinking by now he would have cooled off. I took the seat, mentally putting on my empathy cap. I would not be like the others and become critical or cynical of this gentleman that was being totally misunderstood.
He tore open the pack housing the needle and fitted it in the syringe. I smiled to show I wasn’t with the angry mob of cynical human bees that had spoilt his day. He tied the thin rubber tube around my inner elbow firmly and began the search for my vein.
The lab technician began by slapping my elbow to try and force out a vein. It was uncomfortable but I continued to maintain calm. This wasn’t going to take long. However, he still could not find my vein!
