Donating blood

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:11 pm

Anyone donates blood on a regular basis?

I just got a call from the blood donating institution (we call it the bloodbank over here) if I was willing to donate blood next week on 2nd Chritmas Day.

Now I have only ever donated once and that did not go very well, two times I almost fainted. So I am pretty nervous already, even though I have not decided if I should do it.

One part in me says that I should do it because it's one of those 'good deeds'

but another part of me is a bit scared. And another very small part of me suggests to lose 2 kg (4-5 lb) so I will be automatically disqualified for donating blood because you have to weigh at least 50 kg (approx 110 lb).

So I would really like to hear some of your experiences in this.

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:43 pm

I've donated blood twice.
I just laid down in the chair, closed my eyes and let the blood do its thing.
The only problem I had was that I had to "pump" with my hand sometimes,
'cause the blood stopped flowing or something.

I feel that I don't have the time to donate blood.
It's kind of selfish I know

I'll try and do better.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 2:54 pm

I know I should, since it's an easy way to give, but every time I've done it I've been stuck with a needle in one arm three or four times, then they move to the other arm and stick me again. Apparently my veins are shy. I don't like getting stuck with needles over and over again. So I never do it.

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:03 pm

Obfleur wrote:I feel that I don't have the time to donate blood.

I have exactly the same thing. Because I work full-time, I am usually tired in the evening. So letting them take half a litre of my blood and making me feel even worse is not very appealing.

But now they really need it, and it's on a holiday day so I don't really have any excuses.

Sprunkner, that doesn't sound very nice.

My veins are luckily very visible, neve had that problem before.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:48 pm

I used to donate blood every chance I got. I love the thought of helping people (and cookies and oj rock) but for some stupid reason I am no longer allowed to donate because I lived in Greece from 83-85. Apparently this means I have mad-cow disease.

Oh well, more blood for me!

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:50 pm

i'm anemic, by blood isn't worth a lot to most people...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:20 pm

Only donated once, and that was a sort of forced drive back when I was in the service.

And then I kept forgetting to take those iron pills later, resulting in blackouts at the most embarassing moments.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:20 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:I lived in Greece from 83-85.

What were you doing there? Eating pitas in the nude, I hope.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:03 pm

I'm not allowed to give blood.

Being gay means that I must have aids or something and by sharing my gay blood I will give lots of other people aids.

Ignorant ****s. My blood is as good as anyone elses.

IronHide · Post by **IronHide** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:28 pm

..........I hate needles.

They seriously freak me out, especially if I half to watch them comin at my veins.

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:45 am

Hound wrote:I'm not allowed to give blood.

Being gay means that I must have aids or something and by sharing my gay blood I will give lots of other people aids.

Is that still the case?

Legion, a friend of mine had the same: she went to give blood, and after a little test they told her that she NEEDED blood instead, and rushed her of to the hospital.

I might just give it a go, do my good stuff for society and hope I do not faint or something.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:33 am

Eline wrote:Legion, a friend of mine had the same: she went to give blood, and after a little test they told her that she NEEDED blood instead, and rushed her of to the hospital.

woah!
mind you, this morning, i think i need new blood... or someway of removing the alcohol from my current lot...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:33 pm

Legion wrote:
Eline wrote:Legion, a friend of mine had the same: she went to give blood, and after a little test they told her that she NEEDED blood instead, and rushed her of to the hospital.
woah!
mind you, this morning, i think i need new blood... or someway of removing the alcohol from my current lot...

Consuming a mixture of alcohol and vinegar will remove the alcohol from your blood quickly and painlessly.

The lost alcohol will be replaced with vinegar, however, which is not the desired result in 100% of cases.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:46 pm

Rebis wrote:
Legion wrote:
Eline wrote:Legion, a friend of mine had the same: she went to give blood, and after a little test they told her that she NEEDED blood instead, and rushed her of to the hospital.
woah!
mind you, this morning, i think i need new blood... or someway of removing the alcohol from my current lot...
Consuming a mixture of alcohol and vinegar will remove the alcohol from your blood quickly and painlessly.

The lost alcohol will be replaced with vinegar, however, which is not the desired result in 100% of cases.

um... thanks Rebis... do you reckon i should give it a go?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:41 pm

Legion wrote:
Rebis wrote:
Legion wrote: woah!
mind you, this morning, i think i need new blood... or someway of removing the alcohol from my current lot...
Consuming a mixture of alcohol and vinegar will remove the alcohol from your blood quickly and painlessly.

The lost alcohol will be replaced with vinegar, however, which is not the desired result in 100% of cases.
um... thanks Rebis... do you reckon i should give it a go?

Probably not.

You'd smell like a pickle for a few days.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:41 am

Rebis wrote:
Legion wrote:
Rebis wrote: Consuming a mixture of alcohol and vinegar will remove the alcohol from your blood quickly and painlessly.

The lost alcohol will be replaced with vinegar, however, which is not the desired result in 100% of cases.
um... thanks Rebis... do you reckon i should give it a go?
Probably not.

You'd smell like a pickle for a few days.

I think i might be already...

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:49 pm

Update: I gave blood! Yay for me!

Not on boxing day, but on 2nd January. They checked and approved me, and then attached me to the blood-sucking machine where you could see a sack slowly being filled with your blood. Which I tried not too look at as to avoid fainting.

Everything went well, and I was resting and being very proud of myself, when a familiar faint feeling started to creep up, slowly taking my consciousness... Luckily the nurses prevented me from actually fainting by talking to me and telling me how to breathe and all. Leaving me feeling very weak and miserable.

So, my sweet boyfriend picked me up and after much resting and drinking at the donation centre I managed to slowly cycle home without fainting, collapsed on the couch, and stayed there for the rest of the day.

Needless to say, the donation centre banned me from ever giving blood again.

Still, I am proud and happy that I actually did it.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 1:41 pm

I would donate but my biggest fear is needles...

sidestreaker · Post by **sidestreaker** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:41 pm

Bravo! I'm such a wussy when it comes to needles

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:47 pm

The trick is to look away when they are putting a needle in you.

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:23 pm

Eline wrote:The trick is to look away when they are putting a needle in you.

You are grownups. Getting a needle prick is no worse than stubbing your toe or getting a paper cut. Yeah it sucks but think of the good that comes from a brief moment of discomfort.