Right now as I wait for a day when I will be home continuously to do the 24hour urine culture (don't want to be traveling around town that day), which is hard during the holidays my constant battle is dealing with my boyfriend who is needle phobic to the extreme. This is why he cringes every time the word fistula is mentioned.
He currently needs to get more blood work done for the UMMC to be put on their list. At Hopkins this was all done on they day of his appointment meaning he was super nervous, shaky, anxious, fainty once and it was over. At UMMC they did the blood type and tissue typing blood test at his appointment, which was one stick, and said due to insurance purposes he needed to go to Lab Corp to get the rest done. This leaves me the mission of getting him to lab corp.
This mission/quest if I chose to take it (and not just convince his mom to do it) will be very difficult. When ever I mention blood work or lab corp he gets quiet and tenses up. His fear is real if irrational. I tried to bribe him with breakfast out and an early Christmas present last Saturday if he went (you see lab corp is only open in the morning Saturdays or normal work hours M-F). This failed because I have no will when he looks so sad. His whole demeanor changes when he may be stuck by a needle. I don't know how to convince him to go? Maybe after the Holidays I shall try again.
If anyone reads this any hints or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Its like trying to get a child to get a shot, he knows the fear he has is irrational he just does not know how to get over it. At UMMC I had to basically hold him in his seat for the phebotomist to be able to stick him without him moving away.
So this is my daily struggle with him. I won't be able to be much of a donor for him if he doesn't meet his requirements.
I don't know how often I am going to update this, but I think just as I become inspired to write about something I will update. It may be sporadic but I hope to cover a lot in this blog. Its good to get all my thoughts and ideas out in the open for me to really think about.
Praying! Fear is nearly improbable to overcome, but not impossible. And fighting fear with fear probably won't help either (like saying, "Ifyou don't get the blood work done, I can't know if I can give you my kidney AND YOU MIGHT DIE O_O," even though my frustration and sadness might make me say that). He was able to get through the initial work before, he'll be able to again. and so will you. Super positive thoughts and extra strength sent your way!!
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