Blood fled from my knuckles, as I clasped the back of my knees raising them to within a short distance of my chin. In this position the back feels extremely vulnerable. When the effects of the injection were obvious, the task confronting the doctor was to physically push a long, thin, hollow and cylindrical piece of stainless steel through the skin and underlying tissue.
Then through the outer surface of the bone, into the soft region where bone marrow is found, went the instrument. Al this stage the nurse was required to supply an opposing force strong enough to prevent me from being pushed off the table Into the hollow of the apparatus was slid its partner in crime another long, thin, steel rod which fitted so snuggly inside the syringe providing the suction needed for the removal of the marrow.
The initial penetration was only moderately painful but this was horrific. I could feel the slow trickle of blood escaping the wound in between many violent suctions which racked the body with pain. Here it became difficult to restrain the urge to scream. The tension in my jaw muscles was incredible. During a lull the nurse spoke.
''That should do it. Are you O.K.?"
Her touch and her expression were genuinely warm. She knew of the pain, but also the necessity. I could hear the doctor smearing. the sample over the microscope slides and squirting the remainder into labelled tubes.
I relaxed my rigid body to answer, as she removed her hand from my shoulder. The metallic spear still protruded from my back.
"Yeah." Not too convincing.
In response, a knowing smile.
"I just hope that it is good stuff ... worth the effort." There was little she could say.
One prayed that sufficient marrow had been obtained from the first attempt, but often the doctor had not and needed to draw out some more.
The apparatus was dual purpose, being used while poised within the pelvic bone to scrape from the inside a sliver of bone large enough for examination. This also was a very physical effort for the doctor, and as you would imagine, painful for the patient. But its completion meant the end. Upon application of the covering bandage, I found myself dizzy from the experience covered in sweat, but free from this ordeal for another couple of months.
faffajane
Pro 
Hugs xxx and thanks for sharing.