LAVH: Interesting pre-op visit...

This morning I went to the hospital to have my pre-op bloodwork done, etc.

The admissions rep said "Oh, you are having a hysterectomy? I wish I could have one. I'm 52 and have terrible periods. But, my family doesn't do well with anesthesia. My mother and my sister both died in surgery due to the anesthesia."

Just what I wanted to hear!

Then:
The phlebotomist called me back, took a brief look at my arms, and proceeded to prep the top of my right hand. I asked her what she was doing, and she said I had a good vein on the top of my hand, so she was going to draw the blood from there. I've never had it done that way, ever. I asked how much she was going to take, and she said 4 tubes. She stuck me (OUCH, that area REALLY hurts) and.....no blood. She re-sticks me. No blood. I've never fainted in my life, but there is a first time for everything, and it almost was today. I started shaking and got very sweaty....I have never had this hard of a time with getting blood drawn....it just really stung and it really upset me. She said she was going to try the other hand and I told her I was going to faint. She moved me to a recliner and made me relax for about 20 minutes.

Then she came over and said she was going to try the other hand! I asked her to PLEASE take the blood from my arm...she had a hard time finding a vein, but ended up finding one and took the blood without an issue.

It took me all morning to completely calm down! I've had two children (one was born breech - vaginally!) and two laprascopic surgeries (exploratory) and I've never had a reaction like this.

Maybe I'm nervous about Wednesday (LAVH), I dunno!

Oh! And the phlebotomist took a pregnant woman's blood while I was "relaxing". She took it from her hand too, and the poor woman yelled out and started to cry.

So sorry to hear about your pre-op experience. Very odd about the phlebotomist...can't think why she wouldn't try the arms first.

I was a terrible nervous wreck the three days before my surgery, so I understand.

Sending lots of good healing thoughts your way.

Peace,
M

I can't believe that she would say that to you. Oh my.... I have learned though that if someone has not gone through what you are going through that they just don't understand. They don't mean to be insensitive but it seems like they are. The anesthesia doctor is right there the whole time & there are things they can do now if you had a bad reaction. I didn't appreciate the IV in my hand either but that is what they did to me. Sorry for your bad day.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Best of luck with your surgery!

While I was in the hospital, they had to do blood work because my blood pressure had gone so low. The nurse started looking at my hand. I commented that they had always taken it from my are and had never had problems. She said that she thought she would get it better from my hand, so I let her proceed. What a mistake! She stuck the needle in and kept moving it around, almost pulling it out, and sticking it back in again. After a few minutes of that, she said that the vein was rolling. I told her it hurt and she asked me if I wanted her to stop and get it from my arm. By this point, I was upset - It was 4:00 in the morning after an afternoon surgery - and I told her to not stop, just get it right. I didn't want to start over.

It must be a new thing - taking blood from the hand. I personally like the old arm way better.

Best of luck to you. Take care.

At my pre-op, they took blood from my arm, but at surgery they put the IV in my hand (the dr said that they do it because it makes for better movement after surgery - it's not at the bend in your arm so you can move around).

I suppose every doctor/hospital/clinic does it differently.

I would prefer to think the worst is already over!!

You need to complain about that phlebotomist!!!!!!!!!!! My pre op phebotimist was an angel and made me feel so comfortable about my surgery. She had seen me before when I had my appendix out and went out of her way to make me feel comfortable.

I'm not a fan of surgery but I this wasn't too bad. They give you "happy juice" in your IV before they wheel you into the OR-I don't remember anything. Make sure to give yourself 6 weeks to recover and don't over due it.

Good Luck!

I don't think some of us realize this but we have the right to have another person come in and draw blood. I am a hard stick....and I didn't know this until I had one person stick me 6 times. Some are just better at it then others....when my daughter had to have blood work...I only gave the person one try to get her, then I ask for another person to come and do it. One trick I use when I have to have blood taken is, I put my "rice bag" heating pad on my arm. That helps bring the vein up and drink plenty of water. You can't have the water before surgery...but you can put the heating pad to your arm.