I learned a valuable lesson today about myself. I should never give blood in the morning.
I got up around 9 a.m., ate at 9:30 and went to give blood around 10. I didn't think about the possibility of not having digested that food yet. After donating I was really lightheaded and stayed on the bloodmobile until nearly 11. The staff took great care of me and a friend of one of my roommates made sure I made it back to the village without passing out.
On top of being lightheaded (which eventually went away with more fluids and food) the whole experience wasn't as great as the last two times I've given. My biggest problem? Arm hair. Their tourniquet really hurts when it pulls arm hair, and since I'm a slow giver for some reason (they always have to tell me to do something different or tighten the tourniquet to get my blood flowing faster) I always end up with a sore arm. This was compounded today because I ended up with a bruised arm from the needle. That's nice and sore now.
So the moral of the story is to give blood in the afternoon. And possibly go to bloodmobile #4, because I ended up with a bruise from the staff on #3. Maybe that's just a coincidence.
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6 comments:
More genetics. I was a slow giver, too, and eventually quit giving blood. I know, "Boo for me," but with my medications and heart condition, I probably don't need to give anyway. Glad you're feeling better.
I really hate giving blood because I'm on the small-ish side but I've learned a few tricks. The most important is to drink lots of water before you give. It ups your blood pressure and helps you give faster. Allowing your sugar-heavy breakfast digest before you give helps too :)
I've never given blood, but I know that the people at Jack's office love me because I'm a fast bleeder. But the down side of that is, once I start, I bleed and bleed and bleed...
And your mom is VERY proud of you for being brave and giving blood! Especially since she can't give any longer...Don't give up! Love you, Mom
My tip to prevent bruising...when they remove the needle and ask you to hold the cotton ball, gauze or whatever over the puncture, apply LOTS of pressure and raise your arm ABOVE your head. Keep applying pressure and keep your arm up until they are ready to wrap it. I've done this for years and it works like a charm!
@ Russell: Yeah, they ask you on their patient history "test" if you have a heart condition. It's probably good that you don't give. Any more warnings about genetic stuff you'd like to mention before I go and try them with bad results?
@Linds, @Anita: Thanks for the advice.
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