Hi @mlmcg! I wonder if the building you have described here is the Charter house? https://www.charterhouse-mayo.org/

@jamienolson Thanks for the link Jamie. I think that @mlmcg is the member who you are referring to.

whoops. You are correct! Thanks, Rosemary. 🙂

The reason I have to have my blood drawn from my hand is that I "lost" my veins in both arms from the multiple surgeries I had to have to get a shunt or fistula in my arms. I have small veins that like to roll, blow and hide. Unless the person drawing blood or putting in an IV is very experienced the hand is the best place.
Yes, the hand can be painful because we have lots of nerves there and they cannot be seen it is easy to hit a nerve. If you have someone who does not hit a vein and moves the needle around trying to find blood they can and usually hit a nerve. My hands are cold so I am given "baby warmers" to warm my hand. It also helps when I can get someone who has drawn my blood before. I have asked for someone else to draw my blood if they believe they know my body better than I do. 
mlmcg

@mlmcg - I did not know that is why needles in hands hurt. My veins are so visible in my hands but the few times I've had needles there I have found it quite painful and when it is an IV you can feel the coldness of the med going in. Good for you for advocating for yourself and asking for a different phlebotomist.

I completely agree, most people don't have a clue about transplant or dialysis...actually dialysis is worse but still it is hard to find someone that understands what we go through as patients and caregivers, I've had four kidney transplants, I did volunteer work at the hospital where I was transplanted after my third transplant and was on dialysis for thirteen years before my fourth. Looking forward to getting involved with something new, to better help bridge that gap.

@ca426 - That is so true. When people hear that I need a transplant they think dialysis is a reasonable solution and have no idea how hard it is on your body, time consuming, energy draining, diet restrictions etc. I'm also learning that many know nothing about live kidney donors and many think organ transplants return you to a life just like theirs. I do my best educating anyone who asks me but that is clearly not enough.

I can't believe your story - 4 kidney transplants!!! I find that both encouraging and discouraging. My best to your present kidney health.

Do you know why you had to have so many transplants? 
When I have experienced something more than once I now know that I was to learn from it and I did not. I do not have to be hit over the head any more with "that 2x4" before I have figured out what my body is trying to tell me.
I had to wake up and listen. Did I do something wrong? Did someone else do something wrong? Now what can I do not to experience it again? It took a few years before I realized that I was the one who had to learn how to take care of my body. The hard part was I had to listen, than be willing to accept and do what I learned. 
mlmcg

Don't let my story throw you off, mine is unique, I have a long history, I was born with a birth defect, had my first surgery when I was four....many years of surgeries..first kidney only lasted two months, we should learn from others in our same situation but not necessarily their specific issues, each of us have a different situations, my story is much to long for a paragraph to adequately describe what has happened but I am blessed beyond what I deserve.

@ca426, How long ago did you receive your new transplant? It sounds to me like you are doing well since you are looking to be involved in something new. That sounds exciting!
We look forward to hearing more of your story.
Rosemary