Ask your oncologist for an RX for the topical cream that contains lidocaine.  Then liberally rub it on the skin where you will be "poked" at least 20-30 minutes ahead of time.  I've had blood drawn, dye injected, even immunizations without feeling the needle at all.  A great product!!!

...to express the technique AND your thoughts/feelings/conversations.  You nailed it...the experience hasn't changed in 8 years but after my "terminal" diagnosis - I sure have.  I always took a blanket and other cozies.  My husband gave me a stuffed animal (dragon whcih screamed when squeezed and expressed my sentiments exactly), and besides comforting me it, garnered attention and made it so I was not just another "bald head in the crowd". Oh, and over the course of treatments and follow-up appointments, I needed to be strapped into some of the scanners because they are so narrow and I am not - after the first loose one, in which I believe lots of loud in-head prayers and being frozen in fear held me in place, I decided I WAS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE, by golly, and I would not let the Technologist begin until I felt secure.  An hour sometimes seems like an eternity  and cancer/chemo treatment puts a person more out of control than most people can/will or should ever imagine...so something  irrelevant to a worker who has never been in one can seem like  (and certainly is) A HUGE DEAL and an element of self-control not to mention self-esteem.

Thanks for being there and writing this!

Abundance of everything all good, JoJo