I Feel Like a Human Juicebox...Hawaiian Blood Punch

I've never given blood before. I almost did once. Signed up for a blood drive in high school, but in the initial registration, they didn't like one of the acne medicines I was taking and said I couldn't give blood while on it. After that, I think the mental hurdle just kept me from it. I felt like I would pass out, it'd be bad, I'd be too unhealthy to donate...Just a million reasons not to do something.

Shannon had a blood transfusion back in July, when she was in the hospital getting the stent. It was done just as a measure to boost her iron, but it got me thinking about donating. Just because your blood goes to good homes. And really, how hard can it be? So, I made up my mind to do it, especially once the doctor said I was in good health.

So today, we were going to the mall to do some shopping, when I saw the Blood Drive sign. As we walked around, I found the place and they had no wait. So I said, alright, let's do this! Well, apparently, I got the one nurse who really didn't want to be there. She was totally cold and annoyed at everything I did. She said "Hold out your arms" so I held them out in front of me. Well, she really meant "Show me your arms so I can make sure you aren't shooting heroin", so she forcefully turned my arms over to see. Not asked, not explained, just took my arms and turned them kind've gruffly. And I was wearing a "special sticker" which was supposed to identify me as a new donator, so they'd explain things to me more. Yeah, that didn't happen. She just seemed annoyed at everything I did which didn't fit in the routine. But whatever, I dealt and after about 20 minutes, they got me back to a chair. She checked one arm for veins....Then she checked the other arm for veins....Then, "Vein Check!". So apparently, I also have pretty sucky veins. Shannon has bad veins too, but mainly because they roll when people try to take blood, and her return goes dry quickly. I was disheartened at this point and ready to just walk out. It'd been about 30 minutes and I still hadn't given a drop of useable blood (I gave a drop for testing my iron level)

But, new nurse came over and she explained what was going on. Apparently, I just have deep veins. Eventually, she found a decent one, marked it with a sharpie, and then stuck me. And once I was stuck, I bled quick. I filled my bag in about 8 minutes. She advised me to probably drink more water next time and that should help the veins. She was MUCH nicer than the other nurse. And I didn't get dizzy, lightheaded, or anything like that. Just very chilly as we walked around after. And then I felt annoyed at myself, because I forgot tonight was a running night, and so I have to wait until tomorrow night now.

Now that it's done, I'm tempted to go for donating platelets or plasma next time. It's more rare for people to do, so I know it's needed. The biggest challenge with that is time (Takes about 2 hours for platelets, not sure about plasma). But if I pick the right time, I bet I could do it. So, Red Cross, you gave us 1 pint of blood for Shannon, and now I gave you 1 pint of blood. We're even! No blood debt!