How can I feel better about a procedure I'm getting after Christmas? I'm trying to be brave, but I'm scared now.

@Nelladell Yes, I know. I am trying to keep busy and my big brother and his dog are coming, so I will be happy. I just don't want my procedure to hurt. People say it hurt and it scares me.

@Manfredthemanic I've read that people can have the area numbed where the needle goes in also they can be sedated during the procedure. That would help?

@Fluffybull Yes, Fluffy. I would like to be under anaesthesia, even if I freak out when I wake up again.
They usually only sedate young kids, and everyone else is awake, but maybe if I beg them. My dad said he got it when he was little, and two nurses just held him still and I don't want that.

@Manfredthemanic I think if you explain to the doctors etc then they'll sedate you. Don't worry about how your father was treated when he was little - things have changed a lot since then and patients, especially young people, are treated a lot differently 👍❤️

Ouch. Some things do hurt. Sometimes they even hurt more than worrying about them. Is it possible for you to look at it as a challenge? Am thinking of stories of societies where young guys go through a coming of age -- or entering manhood ceremony which is unpleasant. You perhaps have seen pictures of men with a huge number of scars making patterns on their bodies? These scars are said to be the results of such ceremonies. Perhaps the young men, who look to be 12 or 13, are given a chance, in these ceremonies, to prove that they are worthy to be called men.

And there is the fact that others have gone through it and come out fine. I think you are just as tough as any of them.

Then there is a chance that it won't be that bad at all.

The secret, as you probably know, is to keep smiling, keep remembering that you are greatly loved, and hang on to happy thoughts. You will be fine.

@Nelladell Thank you. 😊 I will try to tell myself that I am brave. Or at least that I'm trying to be brave. I have to get a bone marrow biopsy so doctors can see why I'm sick sometimes and don't grow.

@Fluffybull That's what my brother said. He said when dad got it, it was in the stone age. 🙈 But I read stories about grown men crying and screaming when they had theirs done. I'm scared I will have a panic attack and ruin it.

I'd like to think I understand. What your body does at that point is the doings of your body. Not you. My exper ence with bad pain that lasted a while is that there were tears, but they didn't have anything to do with crying. The body just does that -- and more. If you walk in there bravely you will be a hero. And, as you suspect, it may not be all that bad.

@Nelladell Thank you. I will try to be brave. 🙈😊 I hope they give me anaesthesia though.

@Manfredthemanic I would see if I could find out, right now, whether there will be anaesthesia.

@Nelladell Usually, they don't give it to people my age —just little kids—but I will say I am very scared and ask my parents to tell them to give me anaesthesia.

@Manfredthemanic Good for you. I hope you will keep me posted?

@Nelladell Yes, I will. 😊 I have to do it in January.

@Manfredthemanic That's so kind of you. I wil be wondering -- and hoping for the very best for you on all fronts.

@Nelladell Thank you. Me too. 😊 Yes, I think I am a kind person. 🙈

@Manfredthemanic I think you are a kind person, too.