Meditrina

All these years, I have never donated blood because I hate the sight of my own blood. But I made a promise to my father, one that intend on keeping. My father donated blood on a regular basis until the day he found out he had lung cancer. Now he cannot donate any more. So, on his behalf, I will begin to donate on, what I hope, is a regular basis.

I just found out that the campus will be having a blood drive tomorrow. so I am a little nervous. What is the best way to prepare myself for this? Should I eat certain foods? Not eat certain foods? What should I drink, or not drink? How can I prevent myself from passing out?

---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:50 PM ----------

I just thought of another question. Should I eat before I go or wait until after?

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"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

Baraka_Guru

Check this out if you haven't already:
Tips for a Successful Donation | American Red Cross

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

Meditrina

Thank you Baraka! I never thought of looking at their website for tips.

__________________
"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

Hektore

I donate blood just about as often as I can.

It's no sweat, really. Just do what you normally do. Unless your eligibility is questionable you needn't worry. I believe you're required to eat something (that day) before you're allowed to donate. They will also have snacks/food/juice for you after. Drink/eat them. You are under no obligation to watch your own bag, feel free to look away if it will help you. They will also do fun stuff like type your blood as well as test for a few diseases to ensure your blood is safe to use.

There will be a questionnaire with all sorts of questions about your sexual and travel history. Just answer them honestly, they're going to test for diseases and tell you the results anyway. Donating potentially unsafe blood is not something you want to 'get away with'. If anyone asks why you weren't allowed to donate just say you had low iron - no questions, no (potential) embarrassment.

Fun story: I went to an area in Mexico that prohibited me from donating for a year. About 9 months after I was allowed to donate again they changed the rule to 3 years, barring me from donating blood for another 15 months, even though I had multiple accepted donations in between.

Generally the tips they give go above and beyond what you really need to do - so if you follow them you shouldn't have any trouble. I have been known to leave a double red donation and go straight from the table to rugby practice with no ill effects. Your mileage may vary.

PS: Good for you for doing this. Donating blood is something really important that everyone should do.

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The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.

CinnamonGirl

Awesome, medi. Just be sure to eat something beforehand...and don't look at your own bag! The first time I gave blood, I was going into nursing school, so I was all about watching everything they did. I watched when they took the needle out of my friend's arm, sealed the bag, gave him a bandaid, and all was good. Then I looked down at my own arm, and saw the blood coming out of my body, and immediately passed out. Don't do that

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"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

inBOIL

If you feel a little hot/sick/queasy during the donation, don't hesitate to tell the nurse. It usually passes quickly, and they'll help make you comfortable.

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girldetective

Look at the guy next to you and ask him if he thinks theyll be lunching on his blood or yours in the cafeteria later.

Then, eat the cookies and drink the juice after you give. Or, eat them while you give and after.

Youll be fine. Its a good thing to do.

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As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons...be cheerful; strive for happiness - Desiderata

Meditrina

Thank you all for the tips. I ate a much bigger breakfast than I usually do and I brought a bottle of water with me to drink instead of that 2nd cup of coffee. The blood drive is located in the same building as the food court, so I can get something to eat right after. I woke up a bit nervous, but I *really* feel I need to do this. For my dad. I will let you know how it goes.

__________________
"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

GreyWolf

Congratulations... as a life-long donor, I support you 100%. There is nothing to worry about... it's a simple, everyday routine. Literally. The questionnaire and interview is the most annoying part of the whole thing (especially for those of us old enough to remember walking in, lying down, bleeding, and then running off to the pub for a cheap drunk ). There is no pain associated with it beyond what you feel if you pinch yourself on the inside of your elbow. Honest. If it were any worse, do you really think you'd see so many people lining up to repeat? And it is such a great cause. You will justifiably proud of yourself, and I'll bet will do it again in the future.

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seamaiden

Good for you girl. It is a very noble cause and your personal reason for donating is admirable as well. It's something I've never done...having any kind of needle usually makes me pass out. Vasovegal syncope...not fun!

Lucifer

I wish I was still able to give blood, but they won't accept mine anymore. It always made me feel great to give something away that my body will replenish naturally!

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I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
- Job 30:29

1123, 6536, 5321

snowy

Hahaha, some of us can take it. I like watching them put the needle in my arm and watching the bag fill up with blood. I am a fast donor, and so I like to make sure my bag is filling quickly.

Hope it goes well, Medi!

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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Meditrina

Well, I didn't do it. and it's not because I chickened out. I walked all the way to where it was supposed to be, saw signs. But that was all. They were not there. Maybe the signs should be taken down? ugh. I got myself all ready for it and my mind was set. I will not give up though. I will do it next time.

__________________
"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras

Hektore

__________________
The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game.

Cimarron29414

You are already making a bigger deal out of this than it deserves. Giving blood is such a "That's it?" event. It's easier than peeing in a cup and deserves about that much anxiety. The stupid questionaire is the worst part. Just don't pop up out of the bed. Sit up and take stock first. Plus, you get free cookies and doughnuts. Who doesn't like doughnuts?!?!

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MSD

I used to be terrified of needles, but donating blood for the first time ended that fear. The nurse told me to take a deep breath and look away, and I came back with a semi-witty comment like "you're about to stab me in the arm and you don't want me looking? I don't think so." I'm fascinated by all the tubes, bags, and machines, and watching my blood flow out. It makes me wonder how much trial and error it took to get everything exactly where it is today, or if they just said "make that tube 30 inches long" and left it at that.

I have been donating regularly since high school, and one thing I know for sure is that they can never have too much O- on hand. I always joked that at my size, they could probably take two pints without me noticing, and it stayed a joke until one day the nurse said "actually, since you're O negative and have donated in the past with no problems, would you like to donate a double unit of red cells?" I've been doing a double unit every time I can since then.