A feel good feeling

29 Mar 2004

A few years ago, I decided to give blood.... rolleyes

I hate needles !!!! But I decided that it was worth it . Then a couple of years ago I had a dilema..... Tattoo or give blood. :roll: :roll: I had a tattoo as I havn't had one before and it was a birthday present. Loved the tattoo but felt guilty . sad

So this year went back forgetting what I went through previously.
There I am waiting for the first blood sample,got called, no that wasn't any good!! Back in the queue .
"Sorry but we need to so a blood test to see if you are anemic," the nurse says... (not again I think) "Ok "I replied.
Up on the bed needle back in .wont't take long the nurse asured me.
A little later he comes back " No your fine" we'll take your blood now.
Thankgod I thought.
I now have a plaster on my finger, bandage on my right arm, and I still havn't given blood yet!!!
Back on the bed once again, nurse strolls over " Thats a very good vein.....would
you mind if Paula takes your blood as she hasn't had much
practice" :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
"Ahh ok"
Ten minutes later all done and another bandage now on my left arm.
A cuppa and biscuit and I stroll out of the familar building with two bandages and a plaster... I look as if I've been in a war zone . Did I get some funny looks going back to the car.
But I will be back in six months because I felt that one day I could help save a life,
and that makes me feel good.

29 Mar 2004

I once worked for a GP who was fine sticking needles into his patients, but stick one in him and he turned green and fainted!
Mrs FC - a brilliant story with a real message that we all need to take heed of. I've been a blood donor too (got my Bronze badge for 25 pints!) but I've lapsed in recent years. You've reminded me I really need to start contributing again - and don't we all?
Sappho xxx

29 Mar 2004

I hate needles too. Just hearing other people talk about them can be enough to make me faint. (That's not an exaggeration. It has happened.)
A few years ago I was in a car crash. Apparently it's standard procedure to get blood samples so they can do an alcohol test. I told them how I react to needles, and begged for there to be another way. Any other way. No.
So I'm lying down waiting. They told me they were going to get the new person to do it. Then they stood at the other side of the room for a few minutes saying "Oh, it's one of those new needles. I haven't seen one of these before. How do they work?". Three of them, trying to figure out how to use it.
First try. She missed. I was the least happy I have ever been in my life. Second try. I was not looking. My eyes were closed. I was white. I was shaking. That one must have worked, because they left me alone after that.
Two minutes of absolute hell.

29 Mar 2004

Iâ€™ve donated blood 51 times.
I've NEVER got used to it - ie. the TWO uses of needles - one on the finger for the anaemia test (blood iron content-haemoglobin levels test) and one for the donation itself from an arm vein.
The national blood stock situation is that stocks arenâ€™t up to full levels (see link below) and now is potentially worse â€“ (1) because donations are now excluded from people who received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure since January 1st 1980 (because of new precautions concerning vCJD); and (2) because (in my view) there is an unsaid desire to stockpile because of potential terrorist attacks.
So donate if you can:
smile

:) :)

29 Mar 2004

ManAlive,
Wow!!!!! Im still in the early stages............ But while I was there this time I put my name forward for Bone Marrow donation as well. My discomfort im sure will only be short lived ,.....compared to what I can give if ever needed.

29 Mar 2004

Judging from those ruby red lips â€“ youâ€™re certainly not anaemic lol

:lol:
I never got 'round to the bone marrow donation or apheresis (a much longer donation where various blood components are removed).
Anyhoo â€“ good luck with it all.
smile

29 Mar 2004

I've also been a blood donar for many years - with breaks when I had the kids (can't give while pregnant or for a year afterwards). I know EXACTLY what you mean MrsFC that good feeling when you walk out afterwards is not one I get at anyother time. I admire you for offering to be a bone marrow donar, perhaps that is something I could consider too confused

Rachel

29 Mar 2004

Unfortunately we have had two family members in separate circumstances receive very large amounts of blood at the John Radcliffe in Oxford. On one occassion staff on duty were queuing up to donate to keep up the stocks.
To all of you who give, please know how grateful those who receive it are. Without those donations we would have lost one of these people.
Love
Wilma
x x x x

29 Mar 2004

In the days before just about all my body packed up, I used to be a Plasma and Platelet donor. Basically, they take out the bits they want via a machine and then pump you the red bits back - which means you can donate every three weeks instead of the usual four months or something.
Being an awkward cow, I just had to have these rare platelets that made the techies jump up and down with glee. Only 2 percent of the population have them, apparently. Turns out my platelets were used in treating certain kinds of Leukemia.
Several times, I was driven to the hospital in a police car to give special donations for babies. Babies need very concentrated donations and it takes two hours plus being wired to a special kind of dialysis machine - needle in each arm so you can't even scratch your nose and the nurse has to do it for you redface

Not that I minded... I'd have done anything not to be the parent of the child that needed them.
Sadly, I can't do it anymore... rolleyes

:cry:

29 Mar 2004

Quote by Heather
: Not that I minded... I'd have done anything not to be the parent of the child that needed them.
Sadly, I can't do it anymore... :cry:

aww i am deeply moved... i think you must be a very special kind of person, when you look at the attitude of most people in the world who wont put themselves out in the slightest unless it is going to directly be of benifit to themselves... have a mwah
xxxxxxx
kiss

30 Mar 2004

It's been a while since I gave blood. The transfusion service used to come round to the place I work but they don't do that any more.....maybe we're not a big enough company now. There are still a few hundred of us so I'm a bit surprised by that.
I remember being in the hospital sat beside my daughter (a few years ago now), she was only about 9 months old and she had suspected meningitis. I've never seen so many needles sticking out of a little person before.
Fortunately it was a false alarm but the things that go through your mind whilst your trying to catch some sleep in the chair next to that hospital cot are pretty mind numbing.
I need to make the effort to start again. Thanks for the reminder.
Steve

30 Mar 2004

I've done my bit - 85 donations (no, I'm not ancient!!) - firstly in Glasgow you can give every 3 months cos of the smaller population and then for about 5 years I too gave plasma (but you get two points for that!!!). I only stopped cos the half the machine malfunctioned and tried to pump the red blood cells back into me whilst the other half was still busy taking it out and the cuff was up... phew, not nice. And now plasma donations have been stopped.
If I'm driving past the big HQ on Barrack Road then I'll stop and give a pint - a whole armful I hear some of you say???

30 Mar 2004

I used to give quite regularly, but have drifted off the habit. Definitely something to take up again!
I remember once going where there was a couple of 'gungho' types. They decided they were going to race each other to see who could donate a pint the quickest. They were 'needled up' (right phrase?) at exactly the same time and both had a squash ball in their hand to pump. The two of them laid there grinning and flexing their hands to increase their blood rate as the bemused nurses looked on. When they got to the point where they had both finished and one declared the winner, they both stood up, grinning like mad.....................and both promptly collapsed!!!
Laugh, I nearly bought a round lol

!
Mal
:lol:

30 Mar 2004

In my young and foolish days me and a couple of mates used to give blood then go straight to the pub (against all the advice offered us) and chug a few pints down.
Then we'd fall over.....

30 Mar 2004

I used to donate but they seem to not be a bout anymore.I think i gave about 6 or 7 times when i was in the Army,good idea to have a bit put aside esp if theres a war going dont seem to advertise on the tele that much either anymore.

30 Mar 2004

I also regularly give blood, and because I have quite a rare type I have quite a selfish view aswell redface

one day I may need it back. I have had a case where I've needed the blood back, after a major operation I needed a top up, and you do just feel so grateful for the people that have donated. Unfortunately I was told this year that I can no longer give blood because of the medication I have to take. To be honest I felt quite gutted, because of my rare blood and the national low stock levels and everything, but like a few other people I definately won't miss those needles!!!
ccr xxx

30 Mar 2004

I am a hypocrite. Well, I used to be.
A long time ago, I underwent cancer treatment and never really gave a thought about where my blood was coming from. (I know, it does sound awful.)
Ten years on, I admit, I still didn't really give it a thought. Then a couple of months ago, a blood donation truck appeared outside our new office premises and everyone in my office decided that we were visiting that van "as a group".
I cannot stand needles and it may sound stupid but the thought of them scares me even when I felt like a pincushion once upon a time...
But I went to that van along with my colleagues, confident that once I'd told them about my past, I would never be accepted to give blood. I then received the shock of my life. Out of the 21 people I work with, only two people were accepted and I was one of them :shock:
To say I was scared was an understatement, but afterwards I felt elated and I'll do it again if I can. It was a great feeling that I was giving something back.
I appreciate that this is a personal plea, but from someone who has given blood and also someone who needed it very much, please donate blood if you can!!