Let me just say up front that this story embarrasses me. I hate that I am this way. And yet I'm still willing to share this story with all of you. That's the kind of dedication I have.
So I go to donate blood yesterday. Read the little booklet, fill out the form, get my finger pricked, etc and they finally put me in the chair. They stick me and I'm off to the races. I had filled the little bag up halfway in like three minutes.
Now let me pause here to say that I wasn't sure how this was going to go. The last time I gave blood was like 3 years ago, and all I remember from that is that I had to lay down on the floor like a stooge for like 15 minutes afterwards because I was so lightheaded. Little did I know.
So about 8 minutes in, I am sitting there chatting with the Red Cross dude when I start to feel a tingling in my toes. I think 'that's not good'. The tingling then appears in my fingers, and I start getting nauseous. I break out in a cold sweat. I then say to the worker guy "Uhhh... I'm feeling really sick and I'm going to pass out." He immediately springs into action and props my feet up more, puts ice bags behind me and on top of me, and goes and gets a barf bag in case I lose it (having him hold a bag over my face was probably the most embarrassing part). By this time I'm looking like a ghost, and my vision is starting to swim. I am in a bad way.
He tells me "ok, cough really hard". I start doing so, and I can feel myself starting to feel slightly better. I then give it all I got and start coughing hard. He explaines to me that coughing gets your circulation up, and it was working for me. So after about 3 minutes of me on the brink of unconsciousness, I finally start to pull out of it. I get a little color back in the face, and THANK HEAVENS by this time, the bag has been filled.
I lay in the chair for another 10 minutes, then I went and slammed 5 (yes, 5) of the free juice things. And I finally felt better.
Makes me feel like a total whimp.
8 comments:
Poor Darr! Last time I gave blood I DID pass out! I woke up and there were like 8 people standing over me (just like the movies!) I'm sure the guy helping you has seen it all, so don't feel too embarrassed! ;)
Darrell, even though you are a whimp... just remember that you still helped save lives in the process. :o)
At least you can give blood. I always get rejected (not enough iron) After they test me I have to walk out of there (mind you it's only been 10 min. since I walked in) I feel like people are looking at me saying, "What? Is she HIV positive or something) it doesn't sound embarrassing, but it is.
You just convinced me to never give blood.
Last time I gave blood, the red cross guys were racing me and another guy who was giving blood at the same time to see who could fill their bag first. I won by 15 seconds, but it was weird.
Derek
I am in the same boat as Stef--I can never give cuz I am so low on iron. It stinks.
But I do think it is kinda funny that you almost lost it. You must be a weakling!
Love this post, Darrell! Too funny. The coughing part was great.
Marsha
hummm... I went to that same blood drive but had no problem despite the phlebotomist telling me about how he drew blood from this guys jugular once. not cool.
Post a Comment