I donated blood for the first time today. They have a bus on our campus a few times a year, and my friend talked me in to it. I was nervous. Back home, I loved the ladies in my lab at work that would draw my blood, but this was someone I hadn't met before. I put the nervousness aside as best as I could and I went forward.
I filled out my paperwork. I joked with E that I wasn't sure if I should mark yes or no on the question about being paid for sex. Because in this house, we call it a relationship! Just kidding...
After my paperwork was done, I went into the little tiny room to talk about my medical history and to check my iron level. They double checked to see if it was okay for me to donate blood since I have had open heart surgery. Then she took my iron. Apparently it was supposed to be about 12, but mine was 15.5. Addiction to SALADS! FTW!
After that, I headed over to my bed/chair to get ready to be pricked. After the needle was in and the blood was flowing, I tried to surf twitter, but my other arm was too "lazy/tired" to sit up, so I put my arm down and relaxed. I'm not sure how much longer it was because I was busy looking at the seconds on the clock to "squeeze" the ball every 3-5 seconds, but I suddenly started to feel hungry. I asked for a bottle of water and while the guy was getting that for me, the "hunger pain" started to turn into full on nausea. I told the guy I was starting to not feel too good. Well, that apparently alarmed him because two other people rushed over to me. As they reclined my chair they told me to breathe through my nose, keep my eyes open, and to move my feet. As they were telling me this, I started not being able to hear them. I could read their lips though. They put a cold towel over my head and another cold towel around my neck. One lady pulled the needle out of my arm and wrapped it up. They also put the air vents towards me and stayed by my side for those first few minutes.
I guess about 10 minutes in, my girlfriend E was able to come over and keep me company. I tried to sit up about 20 minutes after this happened, but a few minutes into sitting up, I got sick again and they had to do the same thing again.
Finally, about 45 minutes after this happened, I was able to get up and leave. I came home and now that my girlfriends have left, I am heading to bed. I feel like shit. BUT, I saved a life!
2 comments:
Congrats on saving a life!
Sorry you had such a bad experience =[
I felt woosey after the first time donating.
Now I donate every 8 weeks on the dot since everyone wants my blood type. I love the crew at the blood bank!
Do you plan on donating again?
I have given blood about 5 times, with absolutely no problems, then the last time I gave, after leaving, I fainted in the elevator. Two men were with me, when I came to, they were asking if they should call 911. I was okay, just sat down for awhile in the lobby, but now I'm scared to give again. I felt so good about giving blood, but know I don't know.
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