It’s summertime and at my job I’ve gotten several press releases stressing the importance of donating blood now because of a decline in donations due to family vacations and busier schedules. I thought, “Now is the time I’m going to try that, and while I’m at it I’ll make it into a positive, uplifting story for the readers of my newspaper.”
I was super excited about this. I told everyone I was going to donate blood for the first time. I even had the opening line for this blog written and knew exactly what I was going to say about my experience. I was pumped.
And then I was pumped literally and the experience deflated to far less than excitement. I didn’t anticipate that my donation wouldn’t be acceptable, that they would have to discard it.
Here’s what happened:
I got to the blood donation site, a Catholic church in Benton. I told the proper authorities at the site what my mission was: first time blood donation and publicity. They were thrilled. I checked in, read the lengthy packet on the risks, reasons why a donation won’t be accepted and what to expect throughout the process. I read the whole thing. Well, maybe only 90 percent of the words (it’s weird having someone watch you read a document). Then I moved to a new seating area to alert the phlebotomists that I was ready for my health history and physical.
I didn’t have to wait long and pretty soon I was answering questions and getting my finger pricked to test for iron. Everything was going smoothly. I was in great shape for making a donation, and my O- blood type meant my donation was extra special (universal blood donor, so my blood could be given to anyone in need).
It was finally my turn. I told them which arm I’d like used, mainly so I could still hold my camera and document the entire process. My veins disagreed. I guess I had better veins in the other arm, so they wanted to use that one. Okay. I’ll do what I have to.
They took a test tube, maybe more, I really don’t remember since I wasn’t looking. If I don’t look at the needle, I don’t feel it as much. Then the bag was hooked up and I was off, squeezing the little ball to keep the blood pumping.
Unfortunately, when I was stuck with the needle, my vein bruised and it started clotting before my full donation was accomplished. I was told that since I only donated 420 of the 470 ml of blood, my donation would be too thin with the amount of blood thinner already in the bag. Another phlebotomist wiggled the needle around for a while to see if it would start flowing again, but that, of course, was painful and didn’t work.
My heart sank and my emotions went out of control. I started to feel nauseous and dizzy, which only made things worse. Before I knew it I was lying on my side with a cold cloth over my forehead and people running to grab me a bucket. I assured them it was nothing that bad. But, the pampering meant I was the center of attention, which was exactly what I didn’t want. I’m a journalist, I’m used to being the observer, not the one everyone is watching.
I took my bandaged arm over to the recovery area and couldn’t even enjoy the cookies and strawberry sundae. At this point I was the only donor left in the place and all eyes were on me. I couldn’t control my crying, especially with all of the comforting words from the volunteers. I kept telling them I didn’t know why I was crying. I just needed to be left alone, but after my symptoms following the needle removal, that wasn’t going to happen.
My arm had quite the bruise. And it got bigger and more colorful every day. After a week it stopped growing and started disappearing. It was a long week of explaining my situation, though.
Looking back, I was just upset from having my donation refused, and for reasons out of my control. I thought it was going to be a positive experience, that I’d want to be a regular donor, but now I’m unsure that I want to try again. I know, I know, it’ll be better next time, don’t give up. Still… It took me this long to decide to donate and then the pain and bruising was all for nothing.
While this isn’t a travel topic, I wanted to include it here because you can donate blood from almost anywhere. And, I found out that if you have traveled to certain countries in the last few years they may not want you to donate because of possible exposure to certain things.