no longer a virgin

yesterday, i gave blood for the very first time.
my original vision for this experience involved a gaggle of my friends all walking into the mobile clinic together after a fun brunch, where we could save lives and support each other. unfortunately, i ended up attending the clinic on my own because i have ridiculously well-travelled friends who’ve all gone to places on the malaria zone list in the last year — *jealous*.
after frittering away my day in anxious anticipation, it was finally time for me to head out to the clinic. i don’t quite know what i was expecting, but walking through the doors dispelled any preconceptions i’d created.
everyone there (with few exceptions), from staff to volunteers were so delight- and helpful. i was crazy nervous and fumbling around like a total dork. the first worker took my name and gave me a pamphlet to read (there was a LOT of emphasis on having read that pamphlet). the next worker told me to flip her off so she could poke my middle finger to test the iron level of my blood by dripping it in a vial of vile-looking liquid — if it sinks to the bottom, you’re good to go. next, you have to answer a lot of questions about things or people you’ve done or been to since 1977.
after filling out the little boxes, i found myself in the wrong waiting area — oops! thankfully, a helpful (and very, very young) volunteer rescued me and put me in the right place. then i waited to see a nurse for more personal questions of a sexual nature and a blood-pressure/heart rate check. my blood pressure was crazy high and my pulse came in at just one beat shy of being too fast. just one little beat of my heart saved me from being declined, which was one of my biggest fears about the whole experience. close call!
the nurse gave me a basket with a bunch of blood-gathering supplies and directed me to the area i’d mistakenly put myself in previously. then the only male nurse there called my name and it was time to lay down on the cot for the poking. heh, poking. as i approached the cot, i noticed it was set up for right-hand poking. as i sat, i mentioned to the nurse that my left arm was usually better for getting at a vein, but he didn’t seem to concerned.
after poking at my arm for a while looking for a vein, he told me to take a deep breath and then stuck the needle in — it really didn’t hurt at all! then, almost immediately, he made one of those sounds you never want to hear when someone’s been sticking needles in your arm. he said he’d have to take the needle out because it wasn’t in quite right. so, i sat there for about twenty minutes holding gauze and ice on the puncture and getting a lot of attention from a lot of different nurses. next thing i know i had the charge nurse by my side informing me that i don’t have to continue, but because no blood actually got in the bag, they could try my other arm. i immediately told her there was no question of my continuing. hell, it took this long to get me there and, really, the worst had already happened, so why not keep going?
after waiting for a cot set up for lefties, i got comfy and settled in. within a couple minutes, the needle was in and, after a little adjustment to eliminate a tiny pinching sensation, my blood was filling the tube you see running down my arm in the photo above. nine minutes and four seconds later, i was finished!
that was it! other than the small snafu and the copious amount of waiting around, the actual donating part is a piece of cake! i didn’t get dizzy or pass out, as i was afraid i might. everyone was so crazy nice and friendly. and, after your bag is full… there is juice and cookies!
now, as you know, i gave up sugar (and artificial sweeteners) for Lent. but, i had two cups of peach juice and two packages of cookies after i donated. there’s a reason why they give you sugary things to eat and drink, so i followed procedure. if it helps, i’ve had a killer headache ever since because of that consumption of sugar. blargh.
so, now i wait to get my blood donor card with my blood type on it (eee!) and then i’ll be making an appointment to go back to give again on May 2nd!
saving lives is awesome!