Debate, and discuss, just dont Bore me.
Published on March 2, 2006 By Dr Guy In Misc

I give blood.  I have O-, so they REALLY like me!  And it costs me nothing usually.  I estimate I have given about 150 pints between here and Dayton since I was 18.  And every 8 weeks, like clockwork, they call me and ask for another pint.  I hate needles with a passion!  I cannot look at it when they stick me, nor at the needle hanging in my arm.  And as I told Bluedev, I hate blood too!  I come from a family of doctors, and I was a failure at it!  Could not disect a frog even! (nope, never did).

And in all those givings I have never had problems.  Oh sure!  I have seen grown men (and some women - but it seems to be men mostly) keel over!  Just turn white and boop!  They are out.  I remember one time talking my best friend into giving.  He was a BIG guy.  About 6'2" 220lbs.  So we went to the blood drive, and there I was draining, and boop!  Out he goes!  (He was still my best friend after that too, altho he never gave again).

But today.  I gave another.  I felt ok.  Gave it early as I like to get it over with.  Did I mention I hate blood and needles?  So I gave at 8am.  But this one, boy was it a drag.  Maybe it is just the jet lag catching up with me, but I felt tired all day.

So just after lunch, I am standing at a new server configuring it when a wave of nausea hits me, and I start to sway and sweat!  Wow!  Never felt that way (except when I had the flu real bad!), so I raced out of the server room, and to my desk to sit down.  I dont know why it hit me after all this time.  But today, for the first time, I felt like I was going to pass out.  My vision started getting dark.  I made it to my desk and was fine in about 10 minutes.

It must have been the jet lag.  I mean it was 5 hours after I gave!  But I hope I dont go through that again!  Oogey!

But will they stop calling me?  They rejected me for anemia at one point.  The Doc found a Polyp on my colon.  They rejected me for high Blood Pressure several times.  I am on medication and it is fine.  But even after they rejected me, they still called me!  Fortunately with a little snip surgery for the polyp (the doctor asked me why I was doing a Full GI as they do not usually recommend that until you get 50 - I told him of the anemia, and no more questions), and some medication and both problems are under control.

So 8 weeks from today, on April 28, they will call me again, if I dont beat them to it and donate that day.

It is nice to feel needed.  I just wish they could use them Star Trek Hypo thingies to take my blood!

Hi, I am Doc Guy, and I am a failed Heroine addict!

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Comments
on Mar 02, 2006
Are you sure you weren't anemic this time? Anemia will certainly make you pass out when you give blood. I had a delayed drop out once too. I had given lots of times prior, felt fine and then went shopping with my mom and sister. I was in the middle of a clothing store and felt really woozy. I sat right down in the middle of the store and like you said, boop! Out.
on Mar 02, 2006

Are you sure you weren't anemic this time?

that is one thing they test for (and how I found out about the polyp).  I tested fine, although I dont know what the numbers mean (I was a 15.5???).

That is the thing about Anemia.  For women it is normal (the once a month thing), but men it is very abnormal so when I turned up anemic, I went to my doc and did the HMO referral dance.  So yea, they have caught 2 problems now, and I will keep giving.  They are keeping me healthy with this blood letting!

on Mar 02, 2006
Heh, try giving and then go out for a night of drinking. It'll sure cheapen your drunk!
on Mar 02, 2006
I would give blood, but.. the hep c thing prevents me from doing so.

good job doc, your blood might have saved a life.
on Mar 02, 2006

Heh, try giving and then go out for a night of drinking. It'll sure cheapen your drunk!

Actually, I did do that in college!  But us old farts cant hold it any longer!

on Mar 02, 2006

would give blood, but.. the hep c thing prevents me from doing so.

good job doc, your blood might have saved a life.

I know.  The stupid things is shades cant give because she lived in England!  I know the mad cow, but comeon!  If she has not gotten it by now, she is clean!

There are so many that cannot give, and so many afraid to.  I am just lucky I can, and am not too afraid of doing it.