Not For The Squeamish

To Scunthorpe General Hospital today for my four monthly scan.

After surgery to remove lymph nodes last year I'm not supposed to offer my left arm for blood tests, injections, etc. However, as all my chemotherapy went in through my right arm, the veins in that arm have collapsed. It means that the nurses really struggle to find a vein sturdy enough to take the cannula needed for the injection of dye required for the scan.

Two nurses took four attempts between them before one of them managed to get the needle into a vein (they weren't helped by me sitting there whimpering and shouting "Ow"). Unfortunately, when they started pumping the dye in, the needle popped out of the vein but it was still in my arm and the dye was injected straight into tissue. Good job I was lying down because, at this point, the pain caused me to pass out. Having made sure I was ok, they called a doctor who passed me as fit and gave permission for my left arm to be used as a last resort. The cannula went in without a hitch and the scan continued with no further problems.

Meanwhile, a pad of 'soothing cream' has been bandaged to my right arm which is rock hard from my wrist to just above my elbow and will remain so until the dye has dispersed.

All in all, I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself at the moment.