@gphetteplace, I hear you loud and clear! I'm 14 years post with a liver and kidney transplant at Mayo Rochester . I have always been a difficult stick because my local labs complained about my tiny rolling veins, and they didn't use the small needles unless requested (and I didn't know that there was such a thing) Mayo has wonderful smooth, small, sharp needles and fantastic phlebotomists, and I learned what to tell my locals because that experience. I agree with your self help practices. Here are some of mine: leaning back, deep breath, relaxing, feet on floor, uncrossed legs, eyes closed...
My routine labs are 3 months apart now. One thing that really surprises people is that I still cringe at the thought of getting labs drawn. Somehow they think that I should be used to it by now. Haha.

Remind me, What organ did you get? How are you getting along? and have you been able to resume your pre transplant activities?