Handle with care...

Mar 12, 2009 10:56


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mapon March 12 2009, 19:03:49 UTC
I wish I could donate but all I could do is drug up everyone who ever gets in touch with my blood. Hell, I'm so drugged that when a musquito bites me, he's dead a few meters away :P

But about that quizzy thing, I've had that too. One time a supervisor walked in, all suprised "Oh, I see you already started?" Yeah duh, it was a cute guy and someone has to make him feel comfortable sticking up needles in arms. Geesh.

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singe_id March 12 2009, 19:32:22 UTC
That mosquito thing would be a fun experiment - I expect to see your final research paper on that sometime this summer. :)

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mapon March 12 2009, 19:45:50 UTC
Haha. I think it could get big considering I'm going to Sweden again. :) It's really good that you donated.

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_regje_ March 12 2009, 19:27:44 UTC
doesn't sound like a nice experience :S But you seem to be ok with it.

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singe_id March 12 2009, 19:36:34 UTC
I wouldn't exactly call it pleasant but it's definitely something I'll be doing again. According to the Red Cross, a blood transfusion is needed every 2 seconds in America and what I donated today (a pint) could theoretically save the lives of 3 people. I think 10-15 minutes of being uncomfortable is worth it. :)

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cohkka March 12 2009, 22:00:50 UTC
Good for you! I haven't been able to donate in over a year because of my job and the Red Cross's hours to accept donations. They aren't open on weekends and "no lifting heavy objects for XX hours" does not work well with "I lift up to 100lbs boxes and drive 450 miles five days a week". :(

I used to donate regularly. I have arms that look like road maps and veins that take less time to fill the bag than it does for me to go through their pre-donation testing.

Anyway, kudos to you! I'm glad to hear you donated. I wish more people did.

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old_nehamkin March 12 2009, 22:03:28 UTC
It was a little dicey at the end, when my machine started screaming for attention because it either hit or was about to hit the max
Sorry but being British I’m contractedly obliged to say this. “That’s very nearly an armful!” Explanation here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blood_Donor

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katariina March 13 2009, 00:59:57 UTC
Good for you! I wish I could (no, really, I do!) Especially since I'm not freaked out by needles any more...

Do you know your blood type? Would you believe that in our family (mom, dad, my two sisters, my brother and me) that we have five different blood types?

Glad it worked out so wsell. It's weird that that have machines do most of it now. It's definitely a good thing to be contributing.

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singe_id March 13 2009, 15:01:28 UTC
How come you can't?

And nope, I have no idea but apparently they'll type it and send me my card. I'm kind of hoping I have a type that's needed...well, it's all needed - but Snowcat has some type that's used for premature babies. They actually call him in when there's an urgent need.

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katariina March 13 2009, 18:22:26 UTC
I've tried several times, and apparently between my low blood pressure (USED to be low, it's now closer to normal/high) and veins that tend to collapse when you stick 'em, they told me not to bother. The first time I tried, I was 21, and I lay on that gurney for almost half an hour and the bag was only half full.
When I was in the hospital to have Johnny, they tried to get blood before I went in for the C-section, and they couldn't get a sample - my veins kept flattening, and nothing would happen. They stuck me over 20 times - arms, hands, ankles - nothing. They sent a nurse from the neo-natal instensive care nursery who was used to those teeny-tiny thread-like veins, and she couldn't get it. They sent a guy with an ultrasound machine ("which never fails") and HE couldn't get it. They finally took blood from an artery, which they don't like to do. Setting up the IV took just as long. I had tiny little scars (& bruises) for a while! But I keep hoping I can try again, because it's so vital.

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singe_id March 19 2009, 21:54:56 UTC
Yikes. I'd imagine being stuck 20 times - especially while pregnant - did wonders for your blood pressure.

I'll sell you partial custody of my left arm vein. Send me cookies every 8 weeks and I'll make another appointment in your name.

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