my first blood extraction to Mom

To have a medical professional in the family (i.e. Doctors, Nurses, Physical therapist and the likes) is a fortune, that is, of course the family gets the first hand and immediate care from them when it comes to health problem for free.

However, the agony of this professionals is sometimes, they doesn't want to do hands-on to job which could inflict pain to their loved-ones (i.e. venipuncture). I've known one doctor, whom she cannot hit the right vein  for her brother patient in  a toxic state,  and ends up handing the job to the doctor next to her. ( i could have volunteer to do the task, but that is against health ethics, i was just a student nurse, then).

my mother on the other hand complained to me of her foot swelling, she said she got the left feet sprained some 3 days ago but she noticed the swell is not due to the sprain as both were swelling now. and, as i made an assessment, i noted 2+ pitting edema, there is a water retention in her system, a possible side effect of the meds she's taking and then i began asking her history, and told her she needs to visit her doctor, but first i want to make sure that the doctor has good basis on assessing her condition and give the right prescription,  so i decided to have her blood examination first, that is complete blood chemistry, and to bring the result to her physician.

to save money and time, i coordinated with my associates at the local hospital and asked for the kit needed in the blood extraction as i planned to do it myself early the next day.  

during the extraction, i asked my mom, if she trust me that i can do it, also told her, that, doing it to her the first time made my nerves racked, thoughts like, what if i missed..?

i'm not expert but i am confident.

and so i held the syringe and point at the first sight of a tangible brachial vein, and like the way i held the stoeger with my strong hand at the shooting range when i fired, my hands ain't steady, but i didn't missed.