Wednesday

Did you know you save 3 lives for every pint of blood you give?

For me, giving blood is an utterly terrifying and time-consuming experience.  And I’ve still done it 3 times.  Before I give, I’m nervous about the needle and passing out and all that.  While I give, I’m really worried that they’re taking all my blood away and I’m going to pass out or I’m going to stand up and pass out.  It’s hard to explain well but it’s really a scary feeling .. while I’m lying there with nothing to do, I just psych myself out.  So then I tell someone I’m feeling bad (because I am) and get a cold washcloth and a drink.  Then I lie there awhile more until I finallly feel ok to go eat cookies.  Then I inhale about 4 of those and 2 things of juice, and continue to worry about how weak I’m feeling and that I’ll faint.  So I sit there for a long-ass time as well.  Then I finally leave but still feel weird and wonky so take only elevators.  And finally in an hour or so feel ok to climb stairs.  Now, 5 or 6 hours later, I’m still really tired and feel a bit nauseaus.  But I have an hour and a half of dance practice (groan) so I’ll try to suffer through that and then go to bed.

Did you know you lose a pound when you give blood?  Isn’t that a lot of blood?

Even though I am talking about all the personally negative aspects of giving blood, it’s still a really great thing to do and many people have an easier time with it than I do.  You can save lives just by giving away something you have extra of anyway.  And if I was in an accident I would definitely hope someone had donated blood.  So give blood if you can!

Em