Bella is a 7-year-old girl who needs her blood taken -- and she's terrified.
"It'll hurt, but we need to get this done," I tell her. She lies on the bed, her face white and blinking back tears. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner you get better and you can go home. That's good, right?"
She nods, silent. A healthcare assistant holds her arm still at the shoulder and elbow so she doesn't suddenly yank away. The nurse distracts her at the head of the bed.
"Now, look away."
The needle goes in. She whimpers but stays very still.
"Good girl. You okay?"
She nods, crying silent tears.
"I'll give you a sticker for being so good afterwards, okay?"
She nods again. I finish the blood-taking and the nurse sits her up and helps her wipe her tears away.
The nurse gives her a sticker. I give her another. Bella's released back to her bed.
YOU ARE READING
The Doctor Will See You Now [Non-Fiction]
Non-FictionTrue accounts from a junior doctor. From bargaining with a child using stickers in exchange for a blood draw to complex, sickly elderly patients to dark medical humour between healthcare professionals, being a doctor is a rollercoaster of a calling...
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