Game Over: Life's Over

Bloodwork Pt. 2

"Someone will be in to take your blood. We'll call you with the results in a few days," Dr. Simmons said.

I took a deep breath in through my nose. I really hated the thought of getting my blood drawn.

"It was good seeing you again, Jacob." Dr. Simmons smiled and got to her feet. She pushed the stool under the counter. "You can go ahead and get changed back into your clothing. Just leave your gown on the table beside you."

I watched her leave the room before I got to my feet. I pulled my shorts on underneath the gown before taking it off. I set it on the table so I could put my shirt on.

"What do you say we get lunch after we get your blood taken?" Theo asked.

No amount of food was going to fix the stressful feeling of needing blood drawn. I just shrugged.

A woman in light green scrubs came into the room wheeling a metal cart behind her. She smiled at both me and Theo. "Hello. I'm here to get some blood from you. Go ahead and have a seat."

I jumped up on the table and watched the nurse gather all the tools she brought in with her. She ripped open an alcohol swab and wheeled the stool over to me.

"Let me see your arm."

I held out my left arm for her to clean with the alcohol wipe. She tied a rubber band around my arm before grabbing the needle to take my blood. Seeing it sent a wave of fear through me.

Tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of the needle going through my skin. My breaths came quicker and quicker. I wasn't sure if I was having a simple toddler meltdown or if something worse was happening but it didn't feel good.

"Jake, it's okay. Don't get upset. It'll be over before you know it." Theo was standing on my right side. His voice was soft and soothing but it just wasn't enough to get me to stop crying.

The nurse, instead of just jabbing me with the needle and getting it over with, rubbed my arm with a gloved hand. "Take a minute, sweetie. We can try again when you're ready."

I covered my face with my hands. I wasn't sure I was ever going to be ready. The more doctor visits I had and the more shots and blood work I had done, the more anxious I got. It felt like I was getting more and more worked up as each visit happened.

I hated my stupid baby brain for making me feel and act this way.

Theo put an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his chest. His shirt smelled of vanilla and it was a nice distraction from the turmoil going on in my head. "It's okay, Jake. You're okay. I know it's scary."

I leaned into him as I cried. I desperately needed some comfort. Just the thought of the needle scared me. Knowing that pain would come from it was enough to send panic through me.

"Try to take some deep breaths. In and out. In and out."

I took a deep breath and felt hiccups forming in my chest.

"Do you want your binky?"

I nodded.

Theo pulled my binky from my pocket and unclipped it. He held it out for me to take and I quickly put it in my mouth.

Theo patted my back as my tears slowed. "There you go, baby. It'll be over soon."

I felt a pinch on my arm and I whimpered through my binky. Getting the blood taken wasn't actually bad, it was just having the needle go through my skin that I didn't like.

Theo rubbed my back as the nurse filtered through the various tubes she had to fill up. It wasn't until I felt her rubbing a bandaid over my arm that I sat back and looked at what was going on.

The nurse smiled at me. "You're all done. You did such a good job, Jacob."

I rubbed my eyes, trying my best to calm myself down.

"Let's go get that other sticker," Theo said. He grabbed the diaper bag from the chair he was sitting in during my appointment and slung it over his right shoulder.

"Cassidy has the best stickers." The nurse said.

I quickly ducked out of the room ahead of Theo and headed for the main waiting area.

The woman at the front desk, Cassidy, looked up as we approached her desk. She smiled. "All done? Do you want another sticker before you leave?"

I really didn't but I figured it would make me feel a little better. I nodded.

She handed over the pack. "Go ahead and look while we get you scheduled for another appointment."

I made a sour face but grabbed the stickers. I looked through until I found one that was a piece of popcorn with 'pop, pop' around it. I pulled it off and stuck it on the back of my other hand. I handed back the rest of the stickers to Cassidy.

"Ready?" Theo asked.

I nodded.

"See you next time!"

"Bye."

I walked ahead of Theo and quickly made my way to the car. I couldn't wait to get out of there and go home.