Giving Blood

Published on April 6, 2006 By Dr Guy In Blogging

With Kudos to Adventure Dude who is going through a sort of crises because he is wanted, I bring you my Phobia blog!

AD has more hangups than I about giving, but I hope he does decide to. For while I don't see blood as the Generational marker he does, I share his phobia to needles.

Not fear. Not aversion. Not disdain. Not dislike.

Phobia.

Phobias are irrational fears that are not supported by rational thought. Indeed, that is exactly what they are. I have 2. how I got them, only the maker knows! One is Heights. The other is needles.

I am not talking about big honker needles that you can drive a pickup through. I am talking about ANY needle. When I was a child, I dreamed of being a drug addict. But failed.

Just kidding! But I did dream of becoming a doctor. My family has a rich tradition of them. But my early child hood was marred by my abject fear of needles, and so that was never to be.

How do I manage to give blood, 5-6 times a year? It ain't easy. And no, I don't go on the 56 day to give again. I always find an excuse, but the VBS (Virginia Blood Service - Not Very Big Smile Trudy ) keeps after me and then traps me! No excuse and no way to back out.

it takes me about a day and a half to steel myself for the experience. I guess my aversion is as transparent as glass as I always get the inevitable question "are you OK". not once, usually 3 or 4 times. I do explain that I do not like needles, but to someone sticking you, they cannot comprehend the depth of my aversion. And I do not try to explain. They have other arms to stick and a job to do. My problem is not their problem, it is my problem.

But after subjecting myself to this awful torture, and emerging unscathed (most of the time) with just a pretty bandage to show for it (I like the Lime Green the best), I experience a mini euphoria. I beat the beast! I stared into the mouth of hell and emerged victorious!

Does that sound too poetic? Too fantasy? Then you have never beaten your phobia and won. Words are inadequate to describe the relief. it is a relief!

So what are my first thought upon finishing? That I just may have saved 7 people? That the next John Hinckley was just thwarted by my sacrifice? That the victim of the drunk driver is going to live?

No! My first thought is "I don't have to worry about this for 8 weeks"! How noble! How grand! How stupid!

But such is a phobia.

I don't give blood for pins, t-shirts, or accolades. I would rather give the homeless guy a 20 so he can buy his next day's bread.

I do it because God gave me (cursed me?) with sweet blood that anyone can take. And with a life that did not expose me to the negative markers.

And for this, he also gave me the fear of needles so that every time I did give, I would not become arrogant and smug of what I was doing. Instead, I realize what my blood will do.

I am no saint. I have horns that most devils admire. I do it because one day, the person who is saved may be close to me, or you, or our loved ones. I do it because I can. And God made sure I would never feel arrogant about it. Just fear it.

Adventure Dude, please give. Fear can be overcome. Shortages cannot be without what we do.

Comments (Page 1)

Dynosoar

on Apr 06, 2006

Slay those dragons!

Dr Guy

on Apr 06, 2006

Slay those dragons!

Woof! I wish it was so easy. But thanks. I hope AD slays his.

dynamaso

on Apr 06, 2006

I'd give if I could and working in a hospital, I know how essential giving blood is but I have a number of tattoos, which the Aussie blood service says put me in a risk category (my most recent was a month or so ago). I also have recurring bouts of glandular fever, although my last bout was a number of years ago now. But then, I do have a very common blood type, so mine is not on the list of must have.

Dr Guy

on Apr 07, 2006

But then, I do have a very common blood type, so mine is not on the list of must have.

Working in a hospital, you know that as long as the blood is red, they must have it!

Demosthenes Locke

on Apr 07, 2006

When I was a child, I dreamed of being a drug addict.

You scared me for a minute. I almost that that tv, the mother wolf, lied to me when it said "No one ever says I wanna be a junkie when I grow up."

Dr Guy

on Apr 07, 2006

You scared me for a minute. I almost that that tv, the mother wolf, lied to me when it said "No one ever says I wanna be a junkie when I grow up."

I use that line with the phlebotomists too! It sometimes gets a chuckle.

Adventure-Dude

on Apr 07, 2006

Doc,

As you and I can so closely relate just the word needle makes my heart race while pumping endorphens of the fight or flight. I know I have only given blood once but have had my blood tested many times and the memory is so VIVID I can literally feel that 'pinch' in my elbow (even now as I write). The sad thing is I feel I would be so similar after donation, woohoo they can't call me for 56 more days

. Are we two sickos or what?

AD

Dr Guy

on Apr 07, 2006

The sad thing is I feel I would be so similar after donation, woohoo they can't call me for 56 more days . Are we two sickos or what?

No, not sickos! But I am glad you understand. We just have those stupid irrational phobias that defy logic or analysis. I wish that those that did not have the phobia could give, but so many cannot (you should read ShadesofGrey's story! That is real stupid).

For now I will. Because I know one day the life I save, may be one I love. But I understand your aversion. And have only one word for you.

Baseball!

And best of luck on your marriage!

Trudygolightly

on Apr 08, 2006

geez Doc, I read this with tears in my eyes

I've had so many surgeries, and haven't been able to use my very own blood for them since 1986!

I've depended on donors to keep me alive, literally. Especially this last one, total knee replacement means major blood loss that can't be prevented.

God Bless YOu and all the other donors that mean I can have a needed surgery and live to come out of it.
well i just got goosebumps, as i wrote this, sirens went off here, and there was 3! 3
accidents at the same time. we turned the scanner on and there was a head-on involving a squad, and one roll-over with injuries. See? that's why we need heroes like you, dear man.

I too have a phobia, I"d never talk about it on the net though. It takes major league courage to overcome it, to do whatever in spite of it. And YOU did

dynamaso

on Apr 09, 2006

Working in a hospital, you know that as long as the blood is red, they must have it!

I'm very aware of the need to keep supplies up, sure, but the 'good blood guidelines' don't allow me to donate, unfortunately.

Dr Guy

on Apr 10, 2006

I too have a phobia, I"d never talk about it on the net though. It takes major league courage to overcome it, to do whatever in spite of it. And YOU did

And I get to keep practicing overcoming it as I have 18 days left until my next eligibility date.

Dr Guy

on Apr 10, 2006

I'm very aware of the need to keep supplies up, sure, but the 'good blood guidelines' don't allow me to donate, unfortunately.

I understand Maso. Just trying for a little levity. The next pint is for you.

dynamaso

on Apr 10, 2006

Oh I got the levity Doc. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. Besides, I think my blood would be part vodka anyway, so even if I did donate it, all it would do is get sick people drunk. That would definitely be bad for business.

MasonM

on Apr 10, 2006

My hat is off to you for donating blood in spite of your phobia. That takes a huge amount of fortitude.

I give blood whenever I can. Once in a while a bloodmobile is set up at a truckstop somewhere along my route and I donate when I can. Being O- I understand my blood can help a lot of folks so I try to give whenever possible.

I was refused donation a few years back because of a recent tattoo, but am long past the waiting period now.

When I was in college there was a place that collected plasma. Most of us college students went there twice a week to donate not for ultruistic reasons but because they paid us for it. It was an easy few bucks each week and was almost a social gathering for many of us as a lot of our friends would be there too.

Dr Guy

on Apr 11, 2006

Besides, I think my blood would be part vodka anyway, so even if I did donate it, all it would do is get sick people drunk. That would definitely be bad for business.

Yea, but they wouldn't care then would they?

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