I don't know how it started that I had a fear of needles. I suppose a large percentage of the population has an aversion to getting blood drawn or having injections. As someone who thoughtfully and willingly went out and got tattoos on her own more than once, a number of years back, it doesn't make sense. But you know what they say about tattoo pain, "It's different."
For the last 15 hours, I've been fasting in preparation for a blood test I'm to have this morning (and it just occured to me walking there will be fine, but I might have to chill for a bit before I walk home again - d'oh!). I've had one of those years where most things haven't gone quite right and one of those major things has been my body. Last November, I damaged my ankle so successfully I haven't been able to walk properly or without pain until only a couple of weeks ago, let alone exercise effectively. During these past 12 months, my body decided if my ankle was going to stop, the rest of it would join the party. A bunch of internal things seem to have gone downhill since then - except my weight. Entirely frustrating beyond belief for someone who's had body issues since day dot and is supposed to look a certain way for her profession. A complete change of food and diet, including the attempted removal of wheat, gluten and fructose has not made a difference; the weight should have fallen off by now. That said, I'm doing my best to stick to not eating any of these things, in particular wheat and gluten, because there's enough evidence to suggest it's a healthier diet option anyway.
I'm hoping this blood test and other testing I'm having done will give me some answers and a solution to allow me to start getting things back in working order. We're testing for all sorts of fun things today, like cortisol levels, folate, iron, homocysteine, DHEA, and a plethora of other acronyms that mean more to the doctors than me.
Having blood drawn is something that's always made me nervous, for reasons I can't really explain. Without fail, my heart rate increases and I get teary eyes, so I must look like a big baby. This is one of those things I need to work on to learn to control!
I used to cry, which I'm sure some people will think is ridiculous, but it was an automatic response I could not control. At least I've never fainted! I do compare it to starting out on a new venture or overcoming any other fear, whether it be rational or otherwise; at first, the thought terrifies you, but over time you manage to turn up and go through the motions without as much of the e-motions attached. Your heart still races, but you know you'll come out the other side ok, because you've been down that road before.
Speaking of travelling down new roads, did you know that in ye olde times they'd put dragons on maps with the phrase "here be dragons" where people had not yet ventured or explored, including on land and at sea?
"Fairytales don't teach children that dragons don't exist. Children know that dragons are real. Fairytales teach children that dragons can be beaten!" --G.K. Chesterton
So if you're starting your weight loss journey, you're already on your way, or you're like me and facing a whole new way of eating (and literally getting back up on my feet) - or blood tests - don't be afraid of the dragon. Face it. And beat it. Today.
