Today, I gave blood. Yes I finally got round to signing up and booking myself an appointment with the donor center in Stoke on Trent. I’ve been meaning to donate for a long time but there’s been a couple of problems to say the least.
(Me before giving le blood: Panic!)
1) I avoided going at university by making the excuses of lectures, rehearsals and meetings but really was being a terrible wuss.
2) Having my rook pierced and then having to wait five months and then at the end of that getting my tragus pierced. Idiot.
3) I didn’t realise how much time waiting times were for an appointment so yep has taken foreverr.
4) The last reason is a bit personal but I wanted to check I was all okay so I was tested for everything under the sun to make sure I wasn’t donating blood that was unfit for use. (Alllll clear readers, just to clarify)
(Where I donated the bloooooood)
But, the reasons for donating are more than that. I’ve always tried to help people, volunteering and the like and with something my body does naturally I thought it would be a shame not to give something that is replaced so easily.
The process was super simple; a lazy twenty minutes walk to the centre and a quick iron test; just a prick of blood which when dropped into a solution dropped to the bottom saying it was good to go. Then I was taken into the room where several people were already giving blood.
Unfortunately a lot like Mumma B and my Grandfather it was a struggle to find a vein. Apparently small veins run in the family and the nurses were quick to pass me over to one another before one declared finding a suitable one on me left arm.
(My welcome brochure – Thank you NHS)
A cleaning of the area and a prick of the arm and it was all go. Due to my tiny veins I had to keep opening and closing my hand to keep the blood moving. I was a bit grossed out by how warm the tube was (I actually really detest blood) but it was easy and the general giggling of the nurses in the room really kept me at ease. It was wonderful.
A quick glass of water and a double checking I was all okay, I was sent on my way with an appointment for the 19th of January. Overall I had a wonderful time, oddly enough and I feel like I did something really worthwhile today. I really would recommend, if out can deal with the needle/blood/doctors then I really would recommend going and donating. It really is worth it and if I can do it (blood phobia and all) you could save a life or two.
(Bless you Mumma B)
mylittlebookblog 
Excellent!! Well done I’m really impressed. I did this years ago, went twice, but because of my low blood pressure despite going in my lunch hour I would still be there at closing time, 6pm, unable to stand without passing out and someone would have to come and collect me. I’m not squeamish so it could only be the low blood pressure and they asked me not to come back. I’m thinking of trying again though, but stuck out in the sticks it’s such a pain if I can’t get myself back home again.
Thank you! I’ve been meaning to go for years but have just been putting it off!
Oh bless you, that sounds like such a struggle. No you definitely don’t want to get stuck with no way of gettting back safely!
My mum used to go and give blood but once it took them over twenty minutes and then I think it was no good for use so she was sent away. After that she’s just never gone back which is a bit of a shame.
It turns our I’m A+ which is the same as my Dad which is nice to know! I am a bit squemish, oddly not with needles but just the idea of blood!
Thank you for commenting hope you’re well!
I have tried twice to give blood and both times I have been refused. What’s been so frustrating is that I get to sitting on the chair and they try to get the needle in but the vein just wriggles around! I am going back again and going to try and relax – well done on giving blood! Xx
gah the spacing on this driving me nuts… I swear wordpress hates me sometimes!!
Oh bless you, I nearly had a panic that I couldn’t but it was okay in the end. Everyone was so nice too! 🙂 Hopefully you can next time!
Proud of you! And fingers crossed x
Good for you! Cancer history, they won’t take my blood so I’m grateful when those that can do.
Oh I see, hope you’re all clear now?
It was really lovely to donate definitely will be going again!”
yes, I’m doing well thank you. Good to hear you’re going back!
Good job donating! And I’m glad you didn’t faint; my uncle donates blood as often as he humanly can (he’s some super rare blood type like AB- or maybe just AB+. I can’t remember), and he says that it’d be uncommon for him to go and NOT see someone faint. Or at least get dizzy and tip over.
Thanks for stopping by Writing on a Vintage Typewriter!
Thank you! I did feel a bit wobbly afterwards but I don’t really like blood so just seeing other people donating was enough to make me feel a bit sick! Thank you for commenting!
I donate every time they have a blood drive. You donate a kidney and you miss it, but you donate a little blood and you keep on living as though nothing happened. They ALWAYS bitch that they can’t find a vein (for some reason trained medical professionals have difficulty locating a vein in fat people’s arms, and I’m always like, “bitch my vision is nearly shot to shit and I can fucking SEE the veins in my inner left wrist and forearm, are you saying you can’t, and if you are, why do you have a needle?!”) and so I come away feeling like a pin cushion, but yeah, I donate blood.
This is comment was just brilliant!! They searched for ages in my arm and then kept saying oh do you want to do it, to each other like c’mon stick it in. But bless it is lovely to donate :O)
I don’t think I’m the only fat person these trained medical professionals have had to draw blood from & yet EVERY TIME they “can’t see” a vein in my arm. I’d hate for them to have to place an IV in me in an emergency.
I jealous. I was anemic most of my life and was only just recently approved to donate. Unfortunately, the nurse blew the one good vein I had so I was unable to donate.
oh no really?! They did do the iron test on me but thank goodness I was all good to go; is the vein damaged completely?
At the time I would have said no. They just blew the vein and I a large hematoma (blood pocket under the skin). But I just had to have blood drawn and the nurse couldn’t get anything from the vein which was a first so I’m not sure.