AW - I gave blood!

andy71781

So in high school I gave  blood and was told that I had O- and should donate all the time.  Fast forward 10 years later and I finally have made a succesful attempt.  I've been turned away for being underweight, anemic, tattooed & pierced (too recently) or haven't tried because I was training for a marathon or triathlon.

But today I had a great iron count and I did it....

And then I almost passed out afterwards.  And now I'm back at my desk and feel kinda out of it. 

Does this happen to any of you?

texagj

Ha! You should donate plasma..that will knock you out for sure! But yeah that happened to me my first time

FutureMrsTR

I don't know because I've never donated blood.  I'm terrified.  I had to do a lot of blood tests when I was younger (13ish) and almost passed out when they took 5 vials.  Logically, I know that I'm bigger now, wouldn't be fasting and would be fine, but I haven't gotten past it in my head yet.

But yay for you!  Have some juice

andy71781

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-gave-blood?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:aa21abaa-1be4-4fee-bc4f-f2c11017537ePost:1a0921bb-9db7-4dfc-84d0-c680f46b6b8c">Re: AW - I gave blood!</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah I used to take it easy in aerobics in high school after I gave blood.  My iron's been too low forever now, but I love giving blood.  They have all those inspirational posters around, plus the cookies (they always told us to go sit in the "canteen" for twenty minutes and eat some Oreos or something.)  Loved it.
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

Yes!  I loved the inspirational posters!  Even when I felt really crappy it was great to remember why I was doing this and how much better I feel than the really sick people.

There is currently no inspiration at my desk - maybe that is the problem. 

apple_green

I've done it once and was thisclose to passing out. I really hated it and haven't done it since... and don't plan to. I know I really should but it was scary!

georgia_bride09

[QUOTE]I almost passed out after the first time. The nurse kept telling me to drink the soda they gave me. But I don't like coca cola. I should have listened to her.
Posted by vallyhoo[/QUOTE]

Wha wha what? Why don't you like Coke? What other dirty secrets are you harboring?

WildRumpus

Andy, I got this for you: http://www.youtube.com/user/markgarza22?blend=1&ob=4

vallyhoo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-gave-blood?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:aa21abaa-1be4-4fee-bc4f-f2c11017537ePost:398e5929-d7e0-4001-b6fc-c04e157f6fa5">Re: AW - I gave blood!</a>:
[QUOTE]Wha wha what? Why don't you like Coke? <strong>What other dirty secrets are you harboring?
</strong>Posted by georgia_bride09[/QUOTE]


Well, lots, to answer your second question.

And as to your first - it is too sugary. I am a Dr. Pepper girl through and through!

andy71781

Thanks Jill - that made me laugh!

jesibel14

Good for you for giving blood!  I never have, I should.
Actually, I don't even know my blood type.  And I'm 29.  That's pretty bad, isn't it?

texagj

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_aw-gave-blood?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:aa21abaa-1be4-4fee-bc4f-f2c11017537ePost:f52f634e-8211-4514-a0b2-69c88ed1f3e7">Re: AW - I gave blood!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: AW - I gave blood! : Well, lots, to answer your second question. And as to your first - it is too sugary. <strong>I am a Dr. Pepper girl through and through!
</strong>Posted by vallyhoo[/QUOTE]

Ditto...that is my crack :)

MattsPenguin

I give from time to time.  I do have issues with my low blood pressure (they can't find veins and it takes forever for me to fill the bag), as well as low blood sugar.  I swear I eat before I go, but I still feel horrible.

I donated with a friend of mine in college, and we were just chatting away.  The next thing I knew, she had passed out and was convulsing in the chair.  They had to rush over get her legs above her head STAT!

deburnin

The first time I ever gave blood I shook like crazy afterwords, threw up, and passed out... You'd think it would have turned me off from it forever, but I started donating again last year. The Red Cross damaged a nerve in my arm last summer and I stopped donating, but I started donating again a few months ago with my right arm (my left nerve still bothers me) with UNYTS. I think most people would have stopped donating by this point, but helping people is more important to me and I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.  I'm actually donating again tomorrow.

andy71781

Yay - go you Deb!

MattsP - that's kind of what happened to me.  I was having a full on convo with my neighbor when I went out of it.  The nurses totally were all over it though - they noticed as I started feeling crappy.

elisabethb29

I've given blood regularly since I was 17, and there's just something about it that makes me feel really good. I'm a nurse and I have patients getting blood from time to time so I know how important it is.  I would encourage people if you don't think you can do it or are scared to try... try once.  Make sure you eat a good meal before and stay well hydrated before and after.  My church has blood drives every so often and is trying to get more young people to come donate... what are your reasons for donating or not donating?  And is there anything that would make you more likely to donate?  (Free cookies at the end!!   just sayin...)  Any input would be great.

LDYGTR13

WTG! The fraternity I associated myself with in college had a yearly blooddrive called "the crimson gift" - I did it the first year and one of the guys literally RAN across the lobby of the student union to catch me when he noticed I got really pale and started falling off of the bed/stretcher thing. The next 3 years they made me the official juice/cookie girl and I wasn't allowed to give blood lol.

I'm too scared to do it now, but I have donated time and I was a radio DJ for a while and did lots of promotions for the local blood banks. Hopefully it makes up for it a bit.

breezerb

Good for you for giving blood! I definitely would if they would let me (I'm under the Canadian Blood Services weight requirement) because needles don't bother me at all and I have a pretty rare blood type...

leah2b

That's awesome!

Honestly, this is the single most easy thing you can do to change someone's life - in fact  save someone's life.  I have been a regular donor since I was 16.  Though it is sometimes a little uncomfortable and yes, I do get a little lightheaded, I do it because how else are you going to make such a direct impact on humanity and the needs of others?  Literally, your blood will be used to save someone's life.  It's an amazing thing!  Its normal to feel a little nlightheaded, so don't let it worry you.

andy71781

Thanks for the kind words ladies!  I'm actually feeling better after being force fed water and pretzels.  I also failed to notice the kickass purple bandage around my elbow that kind of makes me feel like a rocker chick.

sep72fendr

I really wish that I had the opportunity to give blood. I sadly don't meet weight requirements. Eff that. I think that they should just take out less if you don't meet that requirement. And I don't like the redcross for donating blood either. They are discriminatory against certain orientations and lifestyles. I can't remember the name of the one group that I supported and told my residents to go to when they wanted to donate. It was Life something or another.