First Time!

from JoeUser Forums

I give blood.  I have O-, so they REALLY like me!  And it costs me nothing usually.  I estimate I have given about 150 pints between here and Dayton since I was 18.  And every 8 weeks, like clockwork, they call me and ask for another pint.  I hate needles with a passion!  I cannot look at it when they stick me, nor at the needle hanging in my arm.  And as I told Bluedev, I hate blood too!  I come from a family of doctors, and I was a failure at it!  Could not disect a frog even! (nope, never did).

And in all those givings I have never had problems.  Oh sure!  I have seen grown men (and some women - but it seems to be men mostly) keel over!  Just turn white and boop!  They are out.  I remember one time talking my best friend into giving.  He was a BIG guy.  About 6'2" 220lbs.  So we went to the blood drive, and there I was draining, and boop!  Out he goes!  (He was still my best friend after that too, altho he never gave again).

But today.  I gave another.  I felt ok.  Gave it early as I like to get it over with.  Did I mention I hate blood and needles?  So I gave at 8am.  But this one, boy was it a drag.  Maybe it is just the jet lag catching up with me, but I felt tired all day.

So just after lunch, I am standing at a new server configuring it when a wave of nausea hits me, and I start to sway and sweat!  Wow!  Never felt that way (except when I had the flu real bad!), so I raced out of the server room, and to my desk to sit down.  I dont know why it hit me after all this time.  But today, for the first time, I felt like I was going to pass out.  My vision started getting dark.  I made it to my desk and was fine in about 10 minutes.

It must have been the jet lag.  I mean it was 5 hours after I gave!  But I hope I dont go through that again!  Oogey!

But will they stop calling me?  They rejected me for anemia at one point.  The Doc found a Polyp on my colon.  They rejected me for high Blood Pressure several times.  I am on medication and it is fine.  But even after they rejected me, they still called me!  Fortunately with a little snip surgery for the polyp (the doctor asked me why I was doing a Full GI as they do not usually recommend that until you get 50 - I told him of the anemia, and no more questions), and some medication and both problems are under control.

So 8 weeks from today, on April 28, they will call me again, if I dont beat them to it and donate that day.

It is nice to feel needed.  I just wish they could use them Star Trek Hypo thingies to take my blood!

Hi, I am Doc Guy, and I am a failed Heroine addict!

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4,893 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Are you sure you weren't anemic this time? Anemia will certainly make you pass out when you give blood. I had a delayed drop out once too. I had given lots of times prior, felt fine and then went shopping with my mom and sister. I was in the middle of a clothing store and felt really woozy. I sat right down in the middle of the store and like you said, boop! Out.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Are you sure you weren't anemic this time?

that is one thing they test for (and how I found out about the polyp).  I tested fine, although I dont know what the numbers mean (I was a 15.5???).

That is the thing about Anemia.  For women it is normal (the once a month thing), but men it is very abnormal so when I turned up anemic, I went to my doc and did the HMO referral dance.  So yea, they have caught 2 problems now, and I will keep giving.  They are keeping me healthy with this blood letting!

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Heh, try giving and then go out for a night of drinking. It'll sure cheapen your drunk!
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I would give blood, but.. the hep c thing prevents me from doing so.

good job doc, your blood might have saved a life.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

Heh, try giving and then go out for a night of drinking. It'll sure cheapen your drunk!

Actually, I did do that in college!  But us old farts cant hold it any longer!

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

would give blood, but.. the hep c thing prevents me from doing so.

good job doc, your blood might have saved a life.

I know.  The stupid things is shades cant give because she lived in England!  I know the mad cow, but comeon!  If she has not gotten it by now, she is clean!

There are so many that cannot give, and so many afraid to.  I am just lucky I can, and am not too afraid of doing it.