Adventures of Donating Blood

Yesterday I was walking back to my dorm in after lunch when I saw signs for a blood drive. I thought to myself that it seemed like it could be fun and I had about an hour and a half until I had to go to my lecture so I had some time to kill. I wasn't really worried about giving blood either. I've given blood once before and had hardly any problems with it. My favorite thing about donating blood is that you get free snacks after and a sticker saying how you donated blood today. Of course you also get that nice warm fuzzy feeling inside that you did something nice, but I really like stickers. So I went through the little sign up area and gave all the usual information they need to let you donate blood. After that I went into the little privacy booth area where you answer awkward questions so they can decide if sticking you're blood inside someone else will put them at risk of contracting a disease of some sort or if you're currently healthy enough to have some blood sucked out of you. Sometimes these questions make me giggle inside a little when they ask me about my sex life. Then you get to have a nurse come take all your vitals. This nurse seemed a little grouchy and didn't talk much. Part of taking the vitals is the dreaded finger prick. A lot of people will tell you its almost as bad as giving blood. I don't think so. I don't mind a little prick to the finger or all the blood that comes out after. I really can't fathom how a finger prick that small gushes out so much blood though, but its nothing a tissue and a bandaid can't handle.

After all my vitals checked out fine, the grouchy lady took my to the circle of chairs where they draw the blood. Here everyone was super cheery and nice. The needle went in fine and everything. I can't really let myself look since I hate needles. I though meditating thoughts to myself as the stuck it into my arm. It kinda hurt as it went in, but then it felt fine. The blood drawing people were running around being as cheery and helpful as possible always asking people how they felt and telling them how much blood how full their little baggy full of blood was and how much longer it would probably take to fill it. Other students were reading books or listening to music as they donated. I just kinda looked around and zoned out. Then one of the nurses asked my if I was feeling light headed since I had my hand on my head. I realized I was so I nodded and 3 nurses swarmed me and had my feet up and a cloth on my head in like 2 seconds. Some where through all this the arm that my needle was in started to hurt really badly, but with being light headed I wasn't thinking to mention this to anyone. I think they took the needle out earlier since my little bag was mostly full and I wasn't doing so well. The extra cheery nurse brought me a coke to help with my sugar levels and told me to stay seated for a while. Eventually she walked me to the table where the other donors were eating the snacks they always have and asked them to make sure I looked ok.

After being there for a while I still wasn't feeling better and I didn't want to be late for my lecture. Unfortunately, my lecture of about 250 students was on the fourth floor of the building. I think walking up all those stairs is what led to my downfall. I still had the coke with me as I made it to my seat in the middle of the lecture hall. I felt pretty ok and talked to the girl sitting next to me for a little bit. Then lecture started. I finished my coke and I started to notice that all the power points were getting really blurry. I kept trying to focus really hard to make everything look less blurry but it didn't work very well. I kept feeling like I was swaying a little bit and then my head started drooping. I think it was a few minutes later that I woke up on my desk. Apparently I passed out in lecture and nobody noticed or cared. To their credit they probably thought I was sleeping. Things were still blurry and I tried digging through my backpack to find a granola bar. It made really loud crunching noises when I ate it. I hope I didn't disrupt anyone's learning process. I felt really awkward eating it in the middle of class.

I made it back to the dorm all right. I decided to take the elevator up to my room this time. I was OK after that. Except for this gnarly bruise on my arm. At least I have something to show off since they weren't even giving stickers.

Despite all this I would still recommend giving blood. Personally a hate needles. I think its a good way to counter the repulsion I have to them while do some good for other. I know my O positive blood isn't rare or special, but I'm sure someone somewhere needs it. I'm totally willing to feel light-headed and take the risk of getting a cool looking bruise to help someone's health.

I think the bruise looks like a heart.

Love ,

Sassy Cat