My veins now suck to such epic proportions that it even takes one of the best anaesthetists I have three goes to get an IV in, and it’s in a really weird place. My palliative care team are actually in the process of planning a meeting with the head of A&E to put a treatment plan And very clear advance directive in place specifically for when I’m admitted... one aspect of this plan is that we’re gonna start trying to avoid IV drugs unless absolutely necessary to try and save my shitty and overused veins. Had another pretty deep talk with Simon my favourite anaesthetist yesterday about IVs. I told him my carers/family/friends/boyfriend are all super impressed by how chill I am about the multiple attempts to get a needle in my vein. I told him that generally the dr or nurse get more flustered, stressed out, and even upset than I do. I said it’s because I’ve accepted the fact that they’ve GOT to get an IV in, and I know in fact that getting upset will just make the whole process more difficult. Simon, my anaesthetist/occasional therapist, pointed out “you’ve learned that you getting distressed just makes the whole ordeal worse, both physically and emotionally, for you and those present. So you just switch of and stay unnaturally calm. Also, you’ve got an incredible tolerance for pain, so I imagine an IV insertion isn’t that painful for you compared to so much edges you experience. It’s another type of trauma you’ve learned to cope with. Honestly? You rather amaze ya all with how genuinely upbeat and positive you are despite all the rubbish you go through. You should be very proud of yourself, honestly. You’re pretty fab!” Hearing this from a dr was pretty awesome 😎 and made the three attempts to get an IV in entirely worth it! #botoxinmybladder #myanaethetistisawesome #deeptalksintheatre #myveinsuck #ivssuck (at Neath Port Talbot Hospital) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmoatXHu-n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2tueb1rfolck