RachelsAdventure.com

My first trip out of the country was a medical trip to El Salvador with Medical Teams International (then Northwest Medical Teams).  I joined a team of 3 doctors and 3 nurses.  My job was to play with the kids (right up my alley) while the doctors and nurses gave them medical examinations. 

I loved that trip and when I returned I had a new vision for my future: I was going to be a nurse.  It was so inspirational to watch the doctors and nurses helping people...people who came in to the doctor in tremendous pain left with hope that they could feel better.  I wanted to help give people hope.

Alas, I had one small dilemma...I pass out at the sight of blood.

I learned this while giving blood in high school.  I was very excited to give blood and signed up for the first blood drive they had at school after I turned 18.  I remember sitting down, hating the needle, talking with my friends while trying to ignore the red tube hanging from my arm, and then I remember waking up.  Apparently I had passed out.  I wasn't out very long and I did get more time out of class and an extra cookie out of the deal...but I had also developed this ridiculous fear of blood. 

The high school incident was followed by me nearly passing out while simply reading an account of a woman bleeding out in a medical mystery.

I quickly realized that a "fear of blood" would not be so good for my nursing plans...so I gave up on that plan.

Fast forward 10ish years and here I am living in Mexico and loving it...until recently when I developed this new plight...NOSE BLEEDS.  Nose bleeds aren't a big deal here, between the super high altitude and the dry air it is easy to get a nose bleed.  The kids in my class get them all the time and I have learned to just let them get a tissue and deal with it themselves...no need to include the slightly queasy teacher in the process. 

Until recently I have experienced no problems with the altitude or the pollution but in the last week I have had two nose bleeds and I'm freaking out!!!  It usually goes like this, I realize I have a nose bleed, grab a tissue box, sit down and begin the "positive self talk": 

"it's just blood"

"you are 27, you can handle a little nose bleed"

"seriously DO NOT pass out!!"

Since I have passed out before I know the whole cold-sweats-tunnel vision-headache feeling that comes before I actually fade away and so far I have managed to hang in there...barely.  This is like reason #305 why it's not fun to be single and live alone because I really am not excited about possibly opassing out without someone there to wake me with a cookie and some juice :)

In the meantime, I've been drinking A LOT more water and praying that I can kick this goofy fear of blood.  I'll keep you updated. 

By the way, sorry I haven't blogged in awhile...I've missed you guys.