#18

My Mom said I was never afraid of the needle. As a kid, she said I was thrilled to have blood taken from me. That I requested a certain needle each time it had to be done. Of course I couldn't remember this.

The only memory of a vaccine shot I had as a kid is probably the one I had when I was about 6, in a hospital near the uni I went to. The nurse gave me and my brother unlimited biscuits. I was too busy counting the biscuits that I forgot about the vaccine. When it was my turn, I didn't shed a tear.

I used to think that my pain tolerance increased after undergoing three surgeries. I think I'm wrong. Nothing makes a person tougher than failure and disappointment. I always had a medicine for physical pain (mefenamic acid is my best friend), but I have yet to find a cure for emotional distress.

With all I've been through in the past years, I am brave enough to say: I'm no longer afraid.