My First Time... (donating blood)
People who have never donated blood before are often reluctant to give, even though they want to help and would make great donors, because they don’t know what to expect.
Tell us about your first time donating blood. What was the activity like, and what kind of feeling did it give you afterwards?
I often say (to myself), I’ll try anything once, which isn’t REALLY true - but is mostly.
I had never given blood until recently. Sounded like a really good idea, from afar. But the TakesAllTypes folks inspired me with their idea and passion. So, as I was driving past my local library a few weeks ago, I saw a Red Cross blood drive sign and I thought, “Was the sign actually a sign”?
I went inside with 10 minutes to kill. What’s the harm in spending it with 2 or 3 other random strangers? Might even do some good?
I’m glad that I did it. It felt good to do some good. In the end, MOST of my pre-conceived notions of the blood donation process were dispelled.
FEAR: I was intimidated. The avoidance of pain is an innate behavioral response. It seemed unnatural to fight this.
TRUTH: In the end I likened it to flossing, only flossing hurts more.
NOTION: it’s a 10 minute process
class="quote"TRUTH: one hour minimum if you include the trivia quiz beforehand and the resting in prone position after. One of the questions asked is “Have you had sex with anyone from Africa in the last 3 years?” Be prepared to answer 15 or so of this ilk. At least they had me answer the questions into a computer. Of course, the technician looks at the printout right after, and then looks at you. But at least you don’t have to answer with a straight face if you’ve been to a farm in England from 1986-1996. It’s something like that.FEAR: They’re really mean all that they want is your blood.
TRUTH: They’re very nice and patient, but all they DO want is your blood.FEAR: There’s never anything good to eat at these places.
TRUTH: I got me a bagel and orange juice breakfast, for free.What else do you need to know?
When surgery was planned for my knee replacement, there was time for me to “donate” blood for myself. Apparently there is need to be prepared with blood for this type of surgery. This was my first blood donation, and it was so easy that I have no qualms about donating now. But now when I donate I have the opportunity to save another person’s life. There aren’t too many ways to be a hero, but donating blood is one of them, I think.
Okay, so I’m typing on my PC with my legs elevated and that was an amazing trick that I just pulled off. I just gave of the blood an hour ago. It was totally spiritual, man. I happen to live in maybe the boringest place on the planet and am going to school part-time and looking for a part-time job part of the time, the rest of the time I have to wonder if every day of my life is a flacid, self-indulgent empty black-hole which isn’t actually empty, I know that. Singularity, yes, but, I have a point and that is though I am light headed and digressing like a smart muscular cow away from the farmer’s grin, I know, that yes, I did something today. It was actually worth something to someone other than myself and that’s my definition of spirituality dudes and dudettes. It was totally like Jesus was there (no exclusion intended–I think he existed as a human–others think differently–others are crazy–but I grew up in Memphis, TN. So there.)
Yes, It was like Jesus was there handing me that cool cloth and that bag of hydrogenated trans oil fats and putting my legs up saying “light-headedness is normal the first time, don’t go into the light, don’t go into the light.” I think my friend was wrong to suggest I blog right now. But cool. I gave blood. It’ll save a whole person. Awesome.
by the way–
the light-headedness–totally like a non-naturally induced high. Dread it not, for serious. Better than sex. No way, man, but if I’d known I could get this kind of rush from giving blood, I never would have taken up heroin.
(actually recreational needle use is not allowed of donors you silly sillies);)
