Given I am at an elevated risk for developing a clot due to a genetic deficiency, my doctor put me on blood thinners for pre and post surgery, and referred me to a hematologist to ensure we did everything correctly. This is how that conversation went:
Doctor: So basically, your leg is immobile, which increases the risk of developing a clot - like when you fly. On top of that, you already have a risk. So I'm going to put you on a medicine to help mitigate that risk.
Me: Ok.
Doctor: Ok great, it's an injection.
Me: Ok. Wait what??
I started off once a day, but at the hematologist's recommendation, dosage increased to 2x a day. Quick calculation and I'm just shy of 60 self-injections. When I picked up the prescription, the pharmacist walked me through the "how to". She said, "Don't worry, it's just a tiny pin prick. Teeny tiny needle." Basically I pinch my stomach "love handle" and stick the needle in, then do the injection. I rotate sides and locations to minimize bruising and marks. I've also learned to fully let the alcohol from an alcohol swab to fully dry - else it burns as the needle goes in.
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| Oh hi, needle. |
In the grand scheme of needles, I can definitely argue this is a small needle. But when self administered straight into your stomach, it is nowhere near a teeny tiny prick, and definitely took some nerves for the first few shots. I don't even think the needle made it under my skin for the first go round. Honestly, I was expecting that little needle they use to prick the end of your finger - not this.
In the next few days, I can dial down to one shot a day. I will no longer need to dread 9am and 9pm! And after this ordeal, I can remind myself how fortunate I am that I do not have a condition (like diabetes) that requires a lot more needles. I'm also looking forward to getting back to my old definition of "taking a shot".
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