Apparently, I'm a bleeder. 7-8 minutes and I was done!
To be honest, this whole giving blood thing wasn't that bad (yes, I listened to you, Judy!). The only thing that hurt was when the needle came out and I'm a little sore now, but it doesn't hurt any worse than a sore muscle.
I have to admit to being extremely nervous about giving blood. I have no problem seeing blood, and have routinely watched blood being taken from my arm during my viral syndrome debacle. But, I was nervous because this was going to be A LOT more blood.
Once I finally got through the interview (I was right on the edge of being anemic, so I should probably start taking my Flintstone's again. I stopped a couple days ago thinking that maybe I'd be too low to give--I told you I was nervous!) they sat me in a chair and started prepping my right arm. I was just staring at the ceiling in the gymnasium deciding if I should blot.
I wasn't scared of the pain, I wasn't scared of looking stupid...no, I was most afraid of passing out or getting sick.
They finally trap me in the chair by actually putting the needle in my right arm. I felt a slight prick and a little burn. It was a little uncomfortable, but in all truthfulness, it didn't even hurt as bad as a wasp sting. I should know, I get stung at least once a summer.
Anyway, about 1-2 minutes into my session and I started to freak out. Before I got to the chair one student had felt a little faint after her donation and was lying down on a mat. Well, by the time I was strapped into the chair she apparently thought she was ok to go and eat a little. She was not. I heard a ker-plunk and the nurses started running over to her.
I freaked out because I was like... I SO DON'T WANT THAT TO BE ME. She's ok, more embarrassed than anything else.
The nurse I had was doing double duty and had 2 of us to tend to, so she wasn't really talking to me, but she was like, you're a glider! Right around the 3 minute mark I was almost 1/2 done. YEEHAW! I started counting my 5 seconds (for the squishy ball) even faster.
As soon as I was done I was set upright and given a few seconds to make sure I was ok. They walked me over to the food table (way across the gym, by the way) and I drank a ton of water and ate crackers. After 20 minutes of talking with the students (and laying the law down so the nice Red Cr0ss guy didn't have to a couple times) I was able to go back to my classroom.
I waited around school for another 20 minutes then drove home. I feel fine. A little tired, a little sore...and a little thirsty (could be due to PMS).
Will I do it again?
Probably. My brother did receive blood a couple years ago and I know a couple others who have as well, so I kind of see it as my way of saying 'thank you' for other people who donated.
And, if my blood helps to save someone else's life, then this little pain is all worth it.
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