The view from the floor

[Samuari]

For all of my adult life I've wanted to be able to donate blood. Due to my history of haveing had Hepatitis A as a child, I've been prohibitied from giving back to my comuninty in this way. At this morning's meeting, the guest speaker was from our local blood institute, who amoung other things said that"If you think that you cann't donate because of your medical history come talk to us, becaus the rules have changed, and we may be able to take your donation now. Even if we cann't take a whole blood donation, we may be able to use your plasma, or platelits."

After going to the blood mobile and being interviewed, I was told that if I had Hepatitis A before age 11, I could donate! Yea! I sat myself down on the couch stuch my arm out and proudly let a unit of blood flow into the bag.

I was really feeling good, I was doing something that I had never thought that I would be able to do. so when it was over and they asked me how I felt, I said "Great!". so they got me up made me sit on a bench and gave me a soda and cookie. Iwas talking to a freind that had also just finished, when it started getting black arround the edges, rapidly closeing to the center of my vision. (just like the end of "loony tunes"). The next thing that I know, I'm sitting on the floor and this pretty blonde nurse is yelling my name from about 3 inches in front of my face. So much for the macho image.

They walked me back to a couch, elevated my feet, got me another soda, started taking my blood presure every 10 minutes or so. It took another 30 minutes before they would let me go.

 

[Jim_Henson]

Good to see a donation... thats the first thing I should do when I get back home... I'm overdue for a good vampirism.

 

[Cheyenne]

Typical! I can't tell you how many times I've donated blood at a blood drive in an office and the MEN are the ones who faint from it.

 

[Silverlily]

Poor Sam.


A pretty blonde nurse has you on the floor and all you got was a soda?

 

[Jim_Henson]

He didnt have enough blood left to pump up the other!

 

[SimGuy]

Drink a lot of fluids an hour or two before next time....

And go a little slower.... Trust me, this won't happen again.

 

[Samuari]

Typical! I can't tell you how many times I've donated blood at a blood drive in an office and the MEN are the ones who faint from it.

Maybe its a family thing. When my daughter, Shutter Bug, gave her first donation, she fianted not once but twice, and it took her an hour and a half to to get stableized so that she could leave.

Jim, what is "vampirism" ? Is this an Aussie thing, or are you having an orintation problem in the northern hemispere?

 

[Cibo]

Don't forget to eat a full breakfest before you give blood also.

 

[Mad_Jack_Rabbit]

Don't forget to eat a full breakfest before you give blood also.

It's supposed to be a light meal a few hours before, and low in fat. Black coffee.

It's been a few years since I donated blood. I used to be on the 'baby panel' providing blood for premature and sick newborns.
I really should get back to it.

 

[superlittlegirl]

I'm scared to death to donate blood. Dunno if they'd have me, either, considering that I have a piercing that is under 2 years old and a fairly colorful sexual history.

 

[Georgia Girl]

For those of you who can find the time, donate platelets. It takes somewhere close to 1.5 hours to do but is worth it in so many ways. You can donate platelets more often (most prefer about every 2 to 3 weeks) as well.

Check into it please, the need is pretty great since platelets are not viable as long as whole blood but it takes 7 pints of blood to get a pint of platelets.

Anyone with questions, send me a messsge or contact the Red Cross.

Thanks and I'll stop hijacking now.

Dawn

PS...Samuari, they are right it may not happen again or it may, the fact that you did it is the important thing. Next time do try and drink bunches the whole day and eat something before you go.

 

[Cheyenne]

I'm scared to death to donate blood. Dunno if they'd have me, either, considering that I have a piercing that is under 2 years old and a fairly colorful sexual history.

One of the questions is "have you had sex with a man who has had sex with another man, even once, in the last six months?"

There are a lot of questions like that. They try to screen out risky behavior people to keep the blood supply as safe as possible.

I think the piercing question is also if you have been pierced or tattoed in the last six months.

 

[huskie]

reminds me of when I was in the army. at the end of the month we would be out of money and would go give blood just to make some cash to buy cheap beer

 

[patient1]

Then there's the old "ever exchanged sex for drugs or money?"

 

[Jim_Henson]

Jim, what is "vampirism" ? Is this an Aussie thing, or are you having an orientation problem in the northern hemispere?

Naah I just call it vampirism, cause its just a nice bloodsucking.

Last time I did it I hadnt eaten in a day, and wandered in, got bled, and kept going around with the day.

I wish I could do it in the US... getting paid sounds like a good thing. All we get is a cup of tea and maybe a biscuit.

 

[Cerberus666]

I always get faintish when I give blood. Fainted once, now I know better. Just happens when I loose blood, get all dizzy and stuff.

 

[Pyper]

I've always wanted to give blood, but I only weigh 105 pounds, and all the posters that advertise for it say you must be at least 115.