[Corin Stormhands]

That’s right...it’s just the way to access the vein, then the soft canula is all that is left behind.

You know, all the IV's I've had over the years and I never knew that.

[2Jedismom]

Well, I gotta say...it’s not always the case. Sometimes if it’s just for a minute or two...like for blood draws, then the needle stays in. Usually it’s a very small bore...tiny, what we call a butterfly.

Also, when you donate blood, the needle stays in.

But for the run of the mill hospital IV, for fluids and possibly receiving blood products...then, yeah...it’s just a soft tube.

[Rose in RoseBear]

And, in other medical news ... something, probably a spider, bit my right ankle Saturday. I didn't realize it was a bite until Monday(!), when we noticed the marks.

Not necrotizing, no red streaks ... just swelling, and a moderate amount of pain that first night. The more I keep it elevated the less it swells. Benadryl, too ...

Corin, did you do anything else when you were bitten?