Someday, the medical profession is going to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th Century. Maybe even the 21st Century. Technology to eliminate needles has been available for over 50 years. They just don't use it. They will tell you that needles are cheaper, but has cost ever stopped them from using anything else?

I wonder how many people die every year because they avoid situations where somebody will insist on sticking a needle into them? I've had that phobia all my life, but have had to face it hundreds of times. Lately, there have been so many of them I have started to overcome it a little.

I am a relatively healthly old coot, so I don't really understand the need for so many needles. Because of one of the maintainence drugs I take for my stiff joints, the doctor has to check my liver function on a regular basis. My liver is fine, but everytime I walk through his door, here comes that needle. They also inject me with radioactive stuff to check the blood vessels around my heart. My heart is fine. And at my age, I get regular PSA tests, and a bunch of other tests that all require another needle. Thank goodness, I am healthy. Otherwise I might bleed to death.
End of rant.
Howard