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It's rough @A MyBCTeam Member DRINK as much water as you can early on. Good luck.
You must be your advocate- Protect yourself as some professionals do not have a clue and are not paying attention!
1. So, offer them the arm that you want them to draw from and withhold the arm not to be used.
2. Also, I ask them to use a "Butterfly" to draw my blood related to how poor my veins are. It is a small needle with a tube attached that helps with the blood draw.
3. 24 hours prior to blood draws drink at least 4- 8 oz glasses of water or other fluids to hydrate.
Thats what I can add to the warm packs and drinking warm fluids prior to blood draws.
Yes, my last chemo in the arm, the nurses kept wrapping the arm in hot towels to try to keep the vein open, they had quite the system going for that, and it was easy to see how worried they were that this was not going to hold up. Thankfully, the NP came by, I talked with him, and he managed to get me an appt right after chemo with the oncologist, so we could get moving on getting the port scheduled.
Wow I never knew that Sheryl, thanks. I could bring a washcloth with me and wet it in the bathroom and hold it against my arm . At this point I will try everything in the toolbox. Last time the poor girl couldn't do it, she tried and then called over this other lady who 'worked miracles' and could find anyone's vein. And she did, the first stick and no bruising after but I never know if she will be there next time.
@A MyBCTeam Member It also helps to drink something hot,like coffee or tea before a draw. It helps open up your veins and helps with blood flow. Sometimes they use a warm compress on my arm if they are having a difficult time finding a vein.
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