I FINALLY GAVE DOUBLE RED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK! LOOOOOOK! There's the pheresis machine!
My blood goes into that machine where they spin out my red blood cells and then send the plasma mixed with saline (salt water - to replace the fluid I'm losing) back through the tube into my vein.
One of the possible symptoms was anxiety. HAHA!
This picture doesn't really show how I was feeling - I literally couldn't sit still I was so excited - my feet kept wiggling back and forth. ^_^ I actually wasn't even expecting to be able to give whole blood and when I found out that my iron was 14.1 (insanely high, folks), I exclaimed around the thermometer in my mouth and Sheryl shushed me. She was excited for me, too, though and Dave said he'd never had someone so excited to donate double red.
This is Dave, the official blood-drawer. He was good with the needle; it didn't hurt me at all. He had a picture of himself at maybe five, wearing a Superman shirt on his nametag and a picture of his dog clipped onto the back. "You can't instill too much confidence into your donors," he said and proceeded to assure me that he only had a couple deaths to his name. The only side effects I had was my mouth tingling and cold hands - the plasma and saline is cold when it's coming back in and I felt it all up my shoulder - but both were remedied by Tums for the tingling and hand warmers for the shivering digits. SOLVED!
My very attractive wrapping *ahem* - but I think it's cool how it's a Red Cross. Get it?
I had Donate Double Red on my list of things to do before I die. Mission accomplished! It was super fun and definitely the best experience of my day, week and month so far. If you've never given blood, tryitatleastonce.
R<3
Listening to S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True
Hey Ruthiey! This is your Auntie Connie from Canada. I was very excited to read your blog about giving plasma. I just gave my 54th donation on Dec. 24 (they really need it around the holidays), and can relate to exactly what you went through. I do have a question though... is it true you get paid to donate blood in the U.S.? I've always wondered about that.
ReplyDeletei've given blogg- and its so great for other people. glad you also did. congrats on the amazing experience
ReplyDeletexx
and gorgeouss blogg; will definitely be back visiting soon!
good for you! i'm donating blood for the fourth time tomorrow night, if my iron's okay.
ReplyDelete~bialy
I wish I could give blood. ):
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your mission accomplished!! Great job :)
ReplyDeleteohhh ruthie! i love your posts! :)
ReplyDeletei wish i would be diligent and read them every time you write them instead of reading 20 at once..
i miss you! feels like forever that i've seen ya! :(
hang out soon?
<3t