Sometime, about two weeks ago, I decided to give blood for the first time. This is one of those things that I have wanted to do for a long time, but for some reason never got around to making an appointment.
After making the appointment, I was anticipating the donation. I figure I am a pretty healthy guy, and went in to my appointment about an hour after eating a hearty meal of veggie nuggets and heaps of pasta. I haven’t been drinking coffee lately, but I figured I drank as much water as I normally would (which really isn’t all that much). After being hooked up to the passive blood-sucking machine, I enjoyed watching my body’s red-oil drain out. After all, it is for a good cause; unlike fossil fuels, it is renewable.
The donation tech had mentioned to let her know if I started to feel strange. Sure enough, somewhere halfway in, I started to feel strange. I waited just long enough so that I could barely express this feeling to the tech, and within seconds they had me propped up in the seat with moist towelettes on my forehead. I was within seconds of passing out; the transfusion was stopped. I had never felt this before, and remained in a state of half awareness while contemplating what had just happened. Slightly embarrassed that I wasn’t able to donate blood properly. Naturally, I started to question if there was something that I could have done differently.
I could have drank more water. And maybe it didn’t help that the day before, I had done my first brick workout with my girlfriend, who was training for a triathlon (the workout was a 20km bike followed by a 5km run). I haven’t run in a long time, and maybe I didn’t hydrate properly after. Whatever the case, the nurse assured me not to feel negatively about my experience. I didn’t. She also questioned me on what I ate, and gave some tips for next time (like coming in after 3 squares). But I was already thinking about the next time. Unlike many other things, I am determined to complete this. Until it is ruled out that I cannot donate blood (the nurse mentioned some people just can’t), I will fault myself for my own failure. I consider my experience a positive one, as I was able to feel something I hadn’t felt before, and I learned something about myself. I encourage you to donate blood as well.
Later in the day, I went to visit my parents. I just wanted to just relax. The TV was on in the kitchen, tuned in to the Simpsons. Ironically, it was an episode where Homer donated blood (although Google doesn’t seem to be giving me any hits for this episode). I found this amusing.
In a little over a month I will be able to donate again.
