Smirks and 'Carry On......' innuendo aside, has anyone else noticed that this year on TV, virtually any mention of Covid on the news has got to be accompanied by long, lingering shots of someone on the receiving end of a jab. Of course, up to now we've always seen brief shots of patients given a pre-injection swab on the upper arm but, as far as I can recall, hardly ever of the needle going in - though now in close-up too - and being held there for several seconds before being withdrawn. It makes me wince seeing it so much now, just about daily, that I have to either look away or change channels. In fact only the other day I changed channels for that very reason from BBC national news to ITV local news and - as you might guess - both sides were simultaneously showing the same procedure. Even Channels 4 and 5 as well as Sky News are doing it now. so that I just want to screeeeeeam!
I have to get a regular such poke for giving a sample of blood to be checked twice a year for my diabetes [type 2] condition, as well as getting the annual Winter flu jab, plus maybe once or twice more for other reasons, but I just get it done and over with as speedily as I can as there's no alternative. I just start looking away and gritting teeth long before the needle goes in. But it's really no big deal. What I do not need is for my nose to be rubbed in it by constant visual reminders of what it's like. Jeepers creepers, we all know!
Every time I go for the annual diabetes check with a nurse at the doctor's surgery it's suggested (every flaming time!) that I really ought to do daily self-monitoring of my own blood to check glucose level, which involves pricking the head of the thumb to obtain a small smear of blood which you can measure on a little thingummyjig they provide you with. About 5 years ago I was given all what's needed to do that very thing myself. When it came to it I just could not give myself the required thumb-jab. Surely I can't be alone in this. It's not cowardice - well, okay, maybe it is - but I've always been a haemophobe (as regards other people's blood as well as my own) which was a major reason why I could stay no longer with St John Ambulance after a two-year stint. My phobia was hindering any effectiveness I might have otherwise had.
As for my diabetes, it hasn't caused me any major problems. Maybe just once a month or so I might get a dizzy spell through having low glucose, but that's put right quite easily by chewing on a few glucose tablets. As to how I'm to know if that level is higher than it should be, well I suppose self-monitoring would have revealed it, but not being able to do so I don't know how to tell. However, so far it's not caused any discernible problems.
Anyway, when it comes to Covid, at my present age and with the underlying condition I have, I'm not expecting to have a long wait before being called for my turn to take the jab - and go I shall, with no hesitation, albeit with just a little trepidation and gritted teeth. What I certainly do not need is to be shown on TV what the experience looks like. If their idea is to show how trivial the whole matter is, I can't be unique in it having precisely the opposite effect on me. (D'you hear that, all you TV companies?)
I used to be squeamish about needles, but, once you've battled a debilitating condition, you're used to it. I don't bat an eye... it's become just something that happens. I.V.s, inoculations, no biggie.
ReplyDeleteI'm very aware that if my diabetes were to worsen into Type 1 there'll be no alternative but regular daily self-injections. Well, I suppose there IS an alternative - namely to die! (Heigh ho!)
DeleteI always look away too.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very human reaction, W.Q., and nothing to be ashamed about. At least that's my own view. ;-)
DeleteWith your uncomfortableness with the blood thing it reminds me of one of my favorite British shows Doc Martin. Well, I can say I really don't mind the small or large pricks, if it will help. But these days I may be looking forward to my annual check up, just to get felt up, and prodded and poked. It's been so long. Why I could probably play the Virgin Mary in the church live nativity scene for sure. But that is here nor there. I will look forward to your recollect of the process when you go to get pricked however, and how your feeling afterward and so forth. Shall you not post again till the yule, I will wish you and the kitties Happy Tidings for Christmas. Stay safe and warm.
ReplyDeleteI'm only surprised that there aren't more, especially wehen youu're required to do it daily people like me who can't give themselves a job to draw blood, M.M., especially when you're required to do it daily. After a few weeks there'll surely be next to nothing of one's thumb left. Yet whenever I tell the doctor or nurse I can't do it I'm looked on as being a very rare nuisance.
DeleteJust as well you don't have to undergo a virginity test to play the lead female role in a nativity play. Not quite something you could breeze through, is it?
I won't be terribly fussed when my turn comes to take the prick. It's all the endless unnecessary showings of it that irritates me, as though none of us had had a jab before.
Wishing yourself and all your nearest and dearest [no matter how many legs] a very happy Xmas - within the confines of Covid regulations of course. And we'll see you in 2021, which has just GOTTA be a better year all round.
I turn the other way, because if I don't see it, it isn't as bad.
ReplyDeleteYes, the jab itself isn't so bad, Bob. At least it's quick. I just don't want to have the sight of it, even other people getting theirs, so pushed in-yer-face all the time.
DeleteI like to watch.
ReplyDeleteOh, you WOULD! But I envy you, though I'd be willing to bet that S.G. doesn't.
DeleteIt doesn't bother me at all but there came a time when I was ill. It was only then that I discovered that my hunting/fishing husband gets sick at needles.
ReplyDeleteVery strange condition your hubby has if he's keen on those activities. No accounting for human behaviour in any of us.
DeleteIt doesn't bother me much, either, but my husband gets a little green. But that's not going to stop him. When we get our chance, we'll be there.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Sadie.
DeleteI think that most who read what I've written are thinking that I'm really afraid of getting the jab, because that's the way they want to read it. I tried to make it clear, but obviously haven't succeeded, that it's not getting the injection itself that I'm afraid of, far from it, as I'll go with alacrity when my call comes - it's all this publicity on the news, for the very first time this year, showing people over and over again getting the jab, and filmed at close quarters. As I say, I don't want to be force-fed endlessly with the image of getting the injection, which is more than starting to put me off from getting it at all. But I will.
I close my eyes and think of England.
ReplyDeleteNot the most reassuring thing to think of in the current climate, Dr Spo, what with our Prime Minister BoJo, trying to emulate your own about-to-depart Pres. in taking his country to the dogs, and in that respect make quite a serviceable job of it.
DeleteMerry Christmas, Ray, to you & your gang! Quiet day here, with just my son and my pets. My daughter won't come b/c she's a teacher and around so many others; worries she'll pass on something. Our tradition is always to go to the movies on this day but not this year. Our local theater is still closed...So much sadness around but we make to count our blessings. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Elle, with my season's greetings to you, your son AND the pets.
DeleteYes, it's being a very strange feeling this year - and from today, Sat, we're now in the strictest lockdown here so far, along with 40% of the country, and forecast to last at least 6 weeks, longer if needed ,all due to the lately discovered strain of the virus which spreads extremely easier than before, and now including children. Going out of doors has to be only for a valid reason.
All our non-essential shops as well as cinemas and leisure facilities, gyms, hairdressers etc are shut until further notice. Can't honestly say I'm missing not going to the cinema - haven't been since last Sept anyway, this now being the longest gap in my not going since 1961!
Yes, lots of sadness and misery, but it hasn't affected me as seriously as some, As long as I can stay safe here in isolation with my cats, and have my radio and books, I'm quite content.
Hope you're managing to make life continue to be worthwhile with little things to look forward to, in addition to the getting back to 'normal' which we all long for. And, yes, it could be even worse, but for us luckier-than-some, it's not - at least not up to now.
Take care and stay safe - please!