Charm in the most unexpected places

(posted by: Stacy)

Today, we had to go to the hospital to have a medical checkup for our work permits. We were sent from laboratory to laboratory, given x-rays, an EKG, a physical, and, of course, a blood draw. In third world fashion, we played scavenger hunt, going here for this, there for that, running all over the hospital in a caucasian parade.

Any of you that know me know that I'm terrified of needles to the point of hyperventilating or passing out. In the states, I am able explain to the nurse, "I am terrified of needles, so I'm going to concentrate on that point on the ceiling over there, okay?" The nurse will give me a minute, then draw my blood without talking to or distracting me from my focus. I always have someone (usually Doug) hold my hand while I do anything that has the word "shot" or "needle" in it. Today was no different.

It took awhile to communicate that I needed Doug in the room with me. Finally, I got permission to bring him into the room. The two nurses that drew my blood today at FV Hospital in Saigon could tell that I was incredibly nervous. This nervousness was only amplified by the fact that I need to make sure that they're using a new needle and disinfecting the appropriate areas. In the states, I don't need to think about cleanliness or hepatitis or anything else third world, so I can focus my energy on becoming and remaining calm. Here, though, there are so many things I have to worry about besides the little pinch.

So, today, as the nurses were fluttering about, saying over and over, "breed fadst," by which I think they meant, "breath slowly," rubbing my hands, telling me "it's okay," and "don't worry," I was hyperventilating and unable to focus the way I needed to. Doug tried to quiet them because he knew I needed to focus, but they didn't understand the way Westerners are, that we are a quieter and more reserved bunch. By the end of the blood draw, during which I did not breathe at all, I could no longer hold up my head and felt as though I was going to black out any minute. Doug had chocolate on standby and the kind, although sweetly overbearing, nurses gave me juice. It took about 10 minutes for me to recover. Thank goodness for having someone with me abroad, I can't imagine being there alone.

As I was lying there, the older of the two nurses blotted my face, rubbed my arms, and massaged my hands. She gave me a blanket, rubbed my forehead, and said, "You same my daughter." Her eyes reassured me and I knew that her heart was bigger than about 97% of the people I've met in my life. Her unexpected kindness was much appreciated and made the whole ordeal a little less awful. And, so, I found charm in the most unexpected of places.