Twinject Training

Actual Date: Thursday, March 24, 2011

So I noticed that Brooke's Epipens were about to expire.

Actually she uses Twinjects but they're pretty much the same thing.  Then difference is the Twinject has a second emergency dose just in case.  

We decided to let her practice on her own.  Our Allergist back in California told us that it's best to practice on an orange because it feels the most realistic.

It's a little nerve wracking handing a sharp needle full of powerful medicine over to a 4 year old.  But she's old enough now to know the seriousness of the situation and I really needed to know that she would know how to do it if she ever has to.

So here it goes:

First step: Taking it out of the holder and removing the caps; #1 and # 2.

Next you need to get a firm grip so you can jab the needle in.

Like so.

Be extremely careful with that needle!  It's so tough it goes through clothing or in our case, orange peel.

Or in my cousin's husbands case, his finger... Yeah that happened.

Count to ten and pull straight out.

If you are getting worse or you are not getting better after 10 minutes (assuming medical response hasn't arrived yet) you can go ahead and unscrew the red tip.  The second emergency dose is inside.

If the site of needles makes you squeamish, I'm sorry.  That thing is scary looking to me.  I pray I never have to use it.  With this emergency dose you are responsible for pushing that needle in and pushing the medicine in yourself.  

Yikes!

Brooke wasn't scared though.  Not with that sweet baby oranges life on the line!  

God save the orange!

I was really proud of Brooke for doing the whole thing on her own.  In the beginning I could hardly get her to even practice with the trainer pen that has a fake needle.  It makes me feel better that she has actually done it so that if, God forbid, she ever has to do it she will hopefully feel confident.  

Oh and if anyone out tries this with their own Epipens, make sure you cut up the orange and shove it down the garbage disposal.  DO NOT EAT IT!  And don't throw it away.  Imagine if some poor little bird or animal got a hold of it.  That would be sad.