Giving away my blood

[pixiecrinkle]

So I have an appointment to give blood here at work at 2:15. I'm nervous. I've only given blood twice in my life. The first time, I was 17 years old, and they came to my high school on the day of our senior picnic. I must have nearly passed out (I have only passed out once in my life, and didn't realize I'd done it until much later) because they had to put me down flat on my back. My friend Matt, a big football player who ended up in the army was behind me and he did pass out. I always thought he did it to make me feel better. I ended up at the senior picnic later with a rubber glove full of ice on my arm because I bruised so badly.

I gave blood again in college. I don't remember much about it, except that they asked so many more questions than they had in high school. Again, I nearly passed out, and bruised like crazy.

So why am I doing this today? Well, there's a critical shortage in central Ohio, and they finally changed the piercing rules, so I'm "clear" to donate. Plus, it's kind of a test to see if I still nearly pass out and bruise badly. I'll try some yoga breathing to get through this. I'm just not good with needles though, especially when they are removing something from me. Ick.

Comments

Re: obvious advice:

[pixiecrinkle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, anytime needles are involved (piercings, vaccinations, whatever) I usually tell the person vielding the needle not to let it in my line of sight if possible.

Unfortunately, my brain still likes to dwell on the facts of the situation and imagines so much that I end up looking.

Maybe I can convince them to blindfold me. :-)

Re: obvious advice:

[qe2.livejournal.com]

Hm. Could you bring a book? It's awkward reading when you're flat on your back, but I'm proof it can be done - and if the book's good enough it presents a useful distraction.

Of course, the blindfold idea could also be fun...:-)

Re: obvious advice:

[pixiecrinkle.livejournal.com]

You know, the book's a great idea and I don't know why I didn't think of that. I'm sure people here will look at me oddly (reading is not seen as especially "normal" by people I work with.) And I just happen to have The Count of Monte Cristo in my bag for a_book_am_onth, so I think I'll give it a try.

Ooops.

[pixiecrinkle.livejournal.com]

That's a_book_a_month