I sure know what you’re talking about! I haven’t given blood
since they used “the square needle” on me — the Red Cross nurse
actually hit a valve and “felt around” with the needle to get
through it. I had a bruise similar to the one you’re describing,
and I was also told that’s just the way it would be. To top it
off, I have “inviso-veins” that no one can see very well. I had
a hard time having an IV when I needed to induce labor with
my first child, ended up having to get a specialist who could
get it done effectively. Now, with this, I’ve had blood drawn
at least 4 times for tests and (luckily) had very kind people
who knew what they were doing. I found that warning them about
previous occasions helped them to be more successful, and it
also seemed to make them more compassionate & helpful toward me.
Speaking up is better than ignoring your levels!