It was time to donate blood again, so I signed up to go early Saturday morning, since we're up early anyway with a tot in the house. I figured it'd be a quick in and out, since there wouldn't be many appointments before mine at 8:30. Cool. I could hit some garage sales at prime time by myself on the way home.
Wouldn't you know they had a trainee to break in at the Red Cross? She'd take my medical history and do the mini physical. I was fine with that. It's hard to screw up taking someone's blood pressure & temp, right? The medical history took an extra long time, as the trainee is new to the computer system. And she's a Chatty Cathy. That's OK -- I can understand. She may be talkative because she's nervous. The woman training her looked on and made sure everything was on track.
Then came the finger prick to test my blood for iron. I'd forgotten about that. Oh well, how hard can it be to get a little blood out of a finger? And the trainee has to practice on someone, right? She pricks my finger and squeezes. And squeezes. And squeezes hard. And squeezes harder! Damnit that hurt! The trainer saw my face and quickly cut in. Thank God. She demonstrated the easy way to get blood from a finger. They test for iron, and I flunk the basic test, so they need more blood for the "spin" test (for a more precise iron count, I guess). Great. Another squeeze to the sore finger. I pass the iron spin test and move on to the donation table.
Thankfully, the trainee only watches the donation hook-up part. I would have drawn the line if they asked if she could stick a needle in my arm!
It's early, so I haven't had much to eat or drink, though I did have a light breakfast so I wouldn't be donating on an empty stomach. I'm all set up, starting my donation with my right arm and notice that my hand is feeling a little tingly (not normal), and the woman who set me up notices that I'm starting to bruise (not normal), so she stops the donation. Do I mind trying the left arm? Please do. I hate going out to donate only to be turned away, and at this point I'm determined to have them get a pint from me come hell or high water.
I offer to chug some water, since I realize I may not be as hydrated as usual. I quickly down 24 ounces of water and we move on to the left arm. All systems are go, and I have a fine donation.
By the time I left, I looked especially attractive, with a sore, band-aided finger, and two bandaged arms. I kept my "Be nice to me... I gave blood today" sticker on for the rest of the morning, because I looked so peculiar. No, I don't do drugs, and I'm not suicidal. I just gave the "gift of life," as they say.
And a little bruise is no big deal when you realize how your blood may help to save someone's life. I don't know if I've mentioned that I started donating blood almost 5 years ago -- after September 11th, I decided it was time to get over my fear of needles. And I'm glad to say that it's worked! Because 5 years ago I never would have stuck around for all this and remained conscious!
Good for you, Marie!
Posted by: Raehan | Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 03:44 PM
Good for you! I admit to being a needle wimp. After 9-11, I tried to donate, and was too light. I quit smoking, so that was no longer an issue (ugh) and tried again...and they closed the Big Red Bus as I tried to walk in.
Posted by: Tammy | Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 05:17 PM
Great job! I used to give blood quite regularly, and ever earned a "gallon" pin, but I just haven't done it in awhile now. I think it's high time I did.
Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: nat | Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 07:54 PM
Nice reminder to go out there and give blood, Marie. I don't know if it's just a pickup line, but they always tell me, "You have lovely veins."
Well, thankyou!
Posted by: Mrs. Flinger | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 03:33 AM
You're such a brave soldier, Marie. I've had my fair share of bruises from inexperienced phlobotomists, but nothing like I've seen on my coworker. Not to gros you out, but last week she had a routine blood test, and now she looks like someone beat her up. Her entire elbow area (the size of a dessert plate) is all back-and-blue. Apparently, they collapsed a vein when they took her blood. Ouch!
Posted by: Kristi | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 08:27 AM
Ouch ouch Kristi! My bruise is nowhere near that bad!
Posted by: Marie | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 08:39 AM
You're a good lady. I have low blood pressure and the last time I gave blood I fainted so that was the end of that bit of benevolence. Kudos to people like you.
Posted by: Mom101 | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 09:06 AM
Coincidentally, I was in for a donation on that very same morning. Not in your city, of course. But I felt a kinship when I read this.
I started donating plasma after my father had his cardiac bypass surgery. I figured if complete strangers could donate blood to help him, then the least I could do was do the same.
I've been donating ever since, and am now up to 209 donations. I love the feeling I get from being there. It makes me want to do better in everything I do.
I wrote about it here:
http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2005/06/lifeblood.html
Posted by: Carmi | Sunday, July 02, 2006 at 11:48 PM