Be Nice To Me
I did something today that I’ve never done before. 
I gave blood. Yes, you read that right. Before today I had never given blood. This is an embarrassing admission, but today I can proudly scream from the blogging rooftops that I AM NO LONGER A BLOOD DONOR VIRGIN!
Just a few days ago, I had commented on Beth’s blog that I had not done this even though I volunteer at the Red Cross once a week. Yes, I know. How ironic can you possibly get, right? In my defense, I don’t work in the blood center. I just do some boring important clerical tasks behind the scenes.
So what took me so long?
I had irrational fears of passing out from the blood loss. I pictured myself standing up from the recliner and just collapsing on the floor. Then, of course when they finally resuscitated me I would need a transfusion because they discovered that I had some rare disease that prevented me from being able to replenish the blood loss. Yes, it has taken me until age 33 to decide that I wasn’t going to die from donating blood. Ok, so maybe I knew deep down that I wasn’t going to die, but fainting didn’t sound like fun to me.
Of course none of these horrible things happened. There were only a few minor glitches.
After swearing that I hadn’t slept with a prostitute or caught malaria in the past six months, they pricked my finger to see if I was anemic. First prick and I got the news that I had been dreading. I’m anemic. Part of me was relieved that I was off the hook and could keep my blood. But then I realized that now I was dying anemic. Before my imagination could kick into full gear, they brought in another tech and did a second prick. This time the levels come back fine. I guess only my left side is anemic. No, the second tech reassures me that the first tech is completely incompetent and that her new reading is correct. I’m fine and they still want my blood.
They escort me into the waiting room and plop four empty blood bags on my lap. I look at the bags and immediately start freaking out picturing just how much of my precious blood would be needed to fill them. Before I have time to run out of the room, they call my name. I ask her if they could just fill one bag today since it is my first time and she starts to laugh at me because of course they only fill one bag. Do they just give you the four because they like messing with you? No, they need to separate it out. Thank goodness. I’m safe, for now.
It was so easy. I didn’t faint. I didn’t even get dizzy. I did get a cute little sticker (see above) that I proudly wore ALL DAY LONG. I milked my pretend wooziness with my husband all evening, asking him to bring me fluids and help with cleaning up after dinner. I ate ice cream because it seemed like the right thing to do (I’ll find any excuse for ice cream).
The best part about the whole experience is the little waves of joy that I get everytime I think about the fact that my blood may actually save someone’s life one day. How amazing is that!!
If I can give blood, trust me, you can too. I hope my story doesn’t scare anyone away.
Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to find out how you can donate your blood. Leave me a comment and let me know if you’ve given blood lately.
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6 Responses to “Be Nice To Me”
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You go girl. I am SO proud of you, I read your comment and I was so surprised that you volunteered for the Red Cross and had never donated and now look at you. The last time I tried I was denied because I spent seven hours in Mexico during a cruise. But it’s time I try again and I’ll do it in honor of you and your courage! WAY TO GO – You helped save someone’s life.
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good for you! I’ve never given blood. I went twice to do it, but there were vein issues. (My veins have special needs) and then I went twice but it was too close to a tattoo. (they require a year.)
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Aw, good for you! That’s great. It’s not so bad. I’ve given blood lots of times but lately I keep faililng (severe anemia) even though I’m taking iron pills. I’m ready to give it another try, though!
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You GO GIRL! That was a wonderful thing you did. Your post didn’t scare me away… even after the first time I gave blood, threw up in the bathroom and passed out afterwards. No, I’m not afraid, I tell you. I’m not afraid at ALL to eat cookies immediately after or all the juice I want. I was trying to be polite and not hog the cookies, but now I know why it’s so important. The worst part? I was still in high school. Yes, I was the girl they talked about all afternoon. *sigh* I may have saved a life via donated humiliation.
You also can’t give blood for quite awhile if you’ve been on a mission trip and taken malaria PILLS – found that out the next time I tried to give blood and was curiously relieved.
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Yah, GOOD for you…such a great thing to do when you’re able! My veins are like ridiculous to find so I must admit I’m a bit of a scardeycat when it comes to volunteering! :{ So glad you did it!!!!
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As your pretend sister, I must say…YOU are definitely the braver sister. Because the one time I gave blood, I got so dizzy and felt so sick and nauseous, I almost passed out. Then I got this HUGE bruise on my arm that was oh-so-purple and attractive.
But look….while I’m not jumping in front of Blood-mobiles to make them stop and take my blood, I will promise that if you or anyone else in my circle of friends or family NEEDS blood, I will step up to donate.
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