I gave blood yesterday. As good as it feels to help people in need, I think I may need to consider finding another way to help. Consider my track record:
- I gave a pint on my last day at the cubefarm. Unfortunately, I neglected to eat enough beforehand so I almost fainted afterward (feel free to insert a joke about them bleeding me dry).
- I often see signs for blood drives when I'm driving about, but conditions are never right for me to stop in (I'm on my way somewhere, I haven't eaten, etc.).
- In May, my high school had an alumni blood drive. The phlebotomist forgot to attach what turned out to be a very crucial clamp, and I ended up bleeding all over my alma mater's gymnasium floor. So I got all the pain of donation (finger prick, needle stick and subsequent bruising) with none of the pleasure of knowing I helped somebody with my donation.
- Yesterday's donation didn't go much better, but at least it counted. As I was being prepped to donate, the man on the bed next to me passed out mid-donation. When he came to, he freaked out a bit and ripped the needle out of his arm. Needless to say, this rattled my nerves a bit--so of course halfway through my donation, I got lightheaded. Fortunately, I was able to tell the phlebotomist in time and he leaned me back and let me finish in a reclined position. Then I was escorted to the snack area, where I was entertained by three Boy Scouts while I ate my Oreos and drank my water.
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I get so frustrated because we have a blood drive at our college. I have a problem with my weight so we called ahead to find out the minimum weight requirement. I wanted to give so badly because my Mom's body quit producing blood a year or two before her passing and I couldn't give.
At least you were able to enjoy the entertainment while you ate...unlike the poor guy next to you.
The last time I tried to give, my BP was too low and it just sorta dribbled into the bag. Argh! I prefer cooking for the men's shelter. :)
PS...this would make a great opening line in a story, saving the context till later on: "As I was being prepped to donate, the man on the bed next to me passed out mid-donation." LOL
I can't give blood. I go loopy every time. Worse, they always seem surprised and won't let me lie down flat. I hate those contoured seats for that reason. Just slap me on a table (or on the floor - just to cut out one step in my process) and get what you need. I'll just lie here and flop around hysterically, gasping for air while you look at each other in that confused way....
They say it's because I'm a vegetarian. Not true. It's because I have low blood pressure. And needles freak me out. I nearly pass out when they give me novacaine at the dentist's. :)
Uh ... Yeah ... maybe donating blood isn't for you! They let your blood drain on the floor? Eeeuuuwwwwww!! And what a waste!
Once I gave blood right after an aerobics class ... not a good idea ... my lips turned blue. It wouldn't have been so bad but ... had to go back to work and ... well ... co-workers were a little freaked out by my "look".
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I know they didn't intend to let my blood drain out on the floor, but that's what happens when you forget to put on the clamp.
Now that I've thought about it a bit, I feel kind of selfish saying I'm considering not giving blood just because it's mildly inconvenient for me--the people who need the blood are certainly a lot worse off than I am. If all I have to do is pound down some Oreos with my feet elevated over my head, so be it.
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