If you get queasy easy, this post might not be for you. It is about donating blood.
Yesterday I had the priviledge of donating blood through our church's blood drive. It is always a good thought to know that you are helping save the lives of up to three people. I hope that blood will be available when I need it. I have a rare blood type, so the blood center hunts me down.
We had numerous blood drives in college and I always managed to come up with some excuse. I didn't have time, wasn't feeling good, time of the month, you name it, I used it. I had these scary thoughts of them not finding my vein and sticking me numerous times. That happened to me on more than one occasion when I went in for physical exams in high school and they had to draw blood. I don't like the idea of being stuck with a needle anyway, much less having to be poked more than once. You get used the needles when you have babies and every other month they have to draw blood or in the hospital they draw it every day (I had surgical birth, so I was in the hospital for several days) so a regular needle is not that bad anymore. These needles are big and hollow. (I hope I am not scaring anyone from giving blood, it really is a good thing).
Yesterday's donation was interesting to say the least. I went into the church and filled out my paperwork. My kids were being watched by someone (thanks, Bill Hunt). Then I went into the bus that they use for drives. Had the mini physical then waited for a seat to open up.
I got in the lounge seat and they put the needle in (a little pinch, not too bad), but the blood did not start flowing, so they had to rotate my arm to get it started. That hurt a little. After I had given about 3/4 of a pint, it stopped. She started moving the needle around, and put it on top of a plastic tube to elevate it. I started to get light headed and cringing in pain. Thankfully she decided to pull it right then. For some reason I had clotted. That never happened to me before. I ended up leaving with an ice pack and have a big bruise to show for it. I will gladly show it off to anyone who wants to see it and I will do it again next time because it was all worth it to give someone else the gift of life. If I ever need it, I hope it will be available to me.
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4 comments:
I was so bummed that I couldn't donate yesterday. We have all been sick this week, and fevers are frowned upon by nice people policing the process! I was so looking forward to it, because the last time I gave was at last year's mobile blood drive. I used to donate as close to every 56 days as I could, but the last year or so has proved difficult to get in there to do it. I have renewed my commitment to donating blood and hope to get in soon.
I had a cough and she did not see a problem with it, now I have a full blown cold, so I hope my blood will be okay.
You can go to the blood center next week and have yours put on our blood drive. That is what I did for the last one because we went to Barb's wedding and it was the day we left.
Good for you, Heidi!
I, too, have been thinking of giving blood, but I'm a little afraid - not of needles - I've got really tiny veins and they roll. So far, NO ONE has ever been able to get blood on the first try. I usually get poked twice (because people think they can do it) and then a specialist is called in. This last time (in the ER) they put it in my hand. But I've had to have needles in between my toes before, and even then, they usually can't get enough, It's really frustrating - but I think I'm going to try anyway. Just yesterday, my boss sent out an e-mail that the Blood Center was really low. Good news, Brett's been giving regularly! I will try to make it a priority - you've inspired me!
I am glad I can be an inspiration. Usually the blood center people are really good at what they do. Just tell them the problem and they will probably be able to figure it all out.
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