Who On Here Has Donated Blood?

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1315938798' post='2304334']
Okay so tomorrow, big day, prayers please!
[/quote]

Praying its swift and easy for you. And that they have your favourite biscuit in the post-donation snacks!

[FutureSister2009]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1315938896' post='2304337']

Praying its swift and easy for you. And that they have your favourite biscuit in the post-donation snacks!
[/quote]

eww biscuits

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1315940605' post='2304347']

eww biscuits
[/quote]

Ooops, I think I should have said cookies!

[TeresaBenedicta]

It only takes me about 5 minutes to "bleed out"

Is it eight weeks then? Too bad- I'm ready to go again!

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1315938798' post='2304334']
Okay so tomorrow, big day, prayers please!
[/quote]
Prayers, prayers, prayers!

You'll do great, I'm sure, and after the first time, you'll want to go back.

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1315941244' post='2304351']
It only takes me about 5 minutes to "bleed out"

Is it eight weeks then? Too bad- I'm ready to go again!
[/quote]

I KNOW. There's a blood drive on campus this week, but I can't donate until October 2.

[MissMaro]

I always wanted to give blood, but they won't let me because I lived in Europe during mad cow. (Never mind that mad cow disease never made it anywhere near where I lived. They don't care, apparently.)

However, my mom used to give blood all the time and then ride home on her motorcycle, so I always thought that it would be a cool thing to do.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='MissMaro' timestamp='1315968685' post='2304493']
I always wanted to give blood, but they won't let me because I lived in Europe during mad cow. (Never mind that mad cow disease never made it anywhere near where I lived. They don't care, apparently.)

However, my mom used to give blood all the time and then ride home on her motorcycle, so I always thought that it would be a cool thing to do.
[/quote]

It depends on what blood giving district you live in. The NYC district allows those who live in Europe to donate--my friend's mother can donate there, but she can't donate in NJ because NJ doesn't allow it. It's really strange.

[Lisa]

good luck FS!

[MissScripture]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1315013436' post='2299417']
I wrote all this stuff and then lost it - sigh. Let's try again.

I am one of the weird ones as I love giving blood, and watch every step of the process, including the blood leaving my veins and going down the tube into the bag - but then I was a nurse and had to give injections and take blood a lot (in the days before they had vacuum tubes to help with all the work!) I find it all fascinating.

Don't have aspirin or aspirin based products before giving as it impedes blood clotting, and don't go if you have a cold or other infection. You will learn your blood type (if you don't know it already) and your hemoglobin level (mine is great).

One time this guy next to me had such high blood pressure that they thought he was going to stroke right there, so they wouldn't let him give blood or even leave the recliner until it had come down to a safe level. Then they told him to get to the doctor right away!

Be sure to have something to eat before, and don't skimp on the snacks afterwards either. The first time I gave blood, I stupidly ignored this advice and ate nothing before or after - and promptly fainted - the only time in my life - and at first I felt I was going to vomit, and then I just passed out! Friends took care of me, and when I came to, I had no idea what had happened. But I learned my lesson. Eat! At least drink the juice!

And have fun - it really is a nice thing to do, so needed, and everyone is so friendly and helpful when you do it. The discomfort is really so small compared to the good you are doing.

Of course, some people can't do it, or really have a hard time. My mother had a rare blood type and they wanted her to give but every time she tried, they had such problems finding her veins that they finally told her not to come back - it was too hard on everyone, aggravating for them and painful for my mom! She really wanted to help but her veins just wouldn't let go! lol
[/quote]
I love watching it, too! And I think it freaks them out! I just think it's the coolest thing to watch my blood fill up the bag! I hate when they try to distract you from when they're sticking the needle in. I'm a jumpy person, I need to know when it's going in, or I will react when they poke, just because it startles me, so it just goes more smoothly when I know what's coming and can prepare for it.

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' timestamp='1315518331' post='2302302']
I've never donated but I should probably try now that I weigh enough and I'm not pregnant or nursing. I highly support this practice especially since I know and am related to people who rely on the generosity of others who donate for serious health issues (blood disorders in particular).
[/quote]
Are you not allowed to donate while nursing or was that by your choice that you didn't?

[Amppax]

I can't donate, something silly about being born overseas

[FutureSister2009]

I chickened out. I feel so horrible. I was thinking all day that I couldn't do it and then I thought maybe I can do it but then at the last second, I decided I just couldn't. I feel like the most selfish person in the world. I wanted this to help me overcome my selfishness and maybe grow up a little. I'm putting my own comfort before the lives of others. I really did want to do it and I was even thinking all day yesterday that I was going to do it. I still want to but my anxiety is so high that it would probably be bad if I did it. I just feel so bad. Go ahead,call me selfish, call me a coward. I know it's true

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1316029385' post='2304670']
I chickened out. I feel so horrible. I was thinking all day that I couldn't do it and then I thought maybe I can do it but then at the last second, I decided I just couldn't. I feel like the most selfish person in the world. I wanted this to help me overcome my selfishness and maybe grow up a little. I'm putting my own comfort before the lives of others. I really did want to do it and I was even thinking all day yesterday that I was going to do it. I still want to but my anxiety is so high that it would probably be bad if I did it. I just feel so bad. Go ahead,call me selfish, call me a coward. I know it's true
[/quote]

Don't worry about it at all! You at least tried to go. Don't feel bad. It's no crime not to donate. My dad didn't donate until he was 54! There's plenty of time, and I'm sure you'll do it at some point. If you were uncomfortable about it, it was better you didn't go; sometimes that stress can cause reactions (I hyperventilated the first time and couldn't hear a word anyone spoke. It was bad) that affect your body badly.

Try again next time, if you feel ready. We love you no matter what, remember!

[faithcecelia]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Youre not selfish, you just had a flap attack! You can try again another time if you want, or even just go and watch a donation session if you can to see what goes on, that might help you relax enough to decide you can manage. Don't get upset over it though, these things happen.

[FutureSister2009]

[quote name='faithcecelia' timestamp='1316030245' post='2304685']


Don't beat yourself up over it. Youre not selfish, you just had a flap attack! You can try again another time if you want, or even just go and watch a donation session if you can to see what goes on, that might help you relax enough to decide you can manage. Don't get upset over it though, these things happen.
[/quote]

My mom is a nurse so I want to talk to her about it. She didn't even know I was going to do it because I didn't want to tell I was going to in case I backed out which is what happened. But now I want to talk to her and see if she knows a good place and see if she's willing to take me. I'm just afraid that if I couldn't face it this time, I'll never be able to. And I want to be able to. Do they let Nuns do it if they want to?

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1316030430' post='2304689']

My mom is a nurse so I want to talk to her about it. She didn't even know I was going to do it because I didn't want to tell I was going to in case I backed out which is what happened. But now I want to talk to her and see if she knows a good place and see if she's willing to take me. I'm just afraid that if I couldn't face it this time, I'll never be able to. And I want to be able to. Do they let Nuns do it if they want to?
[/quote]

Yep, nuns can generally donate. My high school campus minister would have LOVED to donate, but she had leukemia, so she was unable to. Next time, take a friend or your mom. I never go alone, generally, because after I give blood I am in no state to drive (my bp is low).

There will be PLENTY of opportunities!