Nope, never have, Mel. I used to donate blood regularly - until I had so many meds in me that they didn't want it anymore. Guess I'm damaged goods.

Oh well - if they can't use my blood, I certainly can.

deltadarlin wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2009 at 8:42am:

I have a Soft Cell song going through my head right now.

Or diseases you may have had (i.e., tuberculosis, etc.). I'm just guessing, though.

Well, I printed off their page with hours and the phone number.  If I get up the courage, I'll make an appt. for next week when Jesse is home (maybe I can get him to come with me since I'm a little scared). 

A couple of good things about it, is they have a supervised childrens playroom AND wifi.

It's a pretty neat process, actually... They run your blood through a little centrifuge while you are having it pumped out to take out just what they need... the rest you get back.  You lose less this way.
I was giving blood before CH - when I was feeling well on a regular basis.  I have a pretty rare type.  Damn it all.  HA I would do it again in a heartbeat!  Plasma donation takes a few more minutes to give than a regular whole blood donation, but is well worth it in my opinion!    Not enough people out there who Can give DO!    

Val

I'm not allowed to donate because I am a mad cow.

At least, that's what they think since I lived in the UK during the offending time period. 

Maybe they are right.

Moo, damnit.  <== mad cow

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

More of a too happy cow here........

Charlie

deltadarlin wrote on Apr 23^rd, 2009 at 8:42am:

I'm totally petrified of needles, but being the kind of person I am, I decided to stop being such a chicken and go give blood (I'm all for facing fears!).

The first time I went, I'd explained my extreme fear (sweaty plams sitting here talking about it) so they said that a nurse would sit and talk to me all through it to keep my mind off it. About 5 mins in, the nurse looks at the bag and calls another nurse over. They start asking me how I feel - I'm fine thanks, I reply. 'Ok' says the nurse 'if you start to feel funny at all, tell us straight away'. About 5 mins later, my elbow starts to tingle. Before I could even ask if that was normal, they'd whipped the needle out and bandaged me up. I had to lay there for 45 mins before I'd got up. They collected enough blood for a kitten. I was so disappointed. The next day, I wake up and my arm is black from my wrist to past my elbow. The nurse had gone through my vein and blood had leaked into my elbow. I had to wear a sling for 3 days.

BUT, I wasn't going to let that put me off. A year later, I went back, determined to have another go. I explained what happened last year, so they are extra careful with me. I get through it and a whole bag is collected! Hooray!! I have my 2 biscuits and cup of tea after and start heading back for work. As I walk up the stairs to my 2nd floor desk, I start to feel really out of breath. Man, I need to get back to the gym, I think to myself. I get to my desk, have a drink and start to feel a bit funny. At this time, Stephen and I didn't work together, but his desk was very near mine. He came over to say I didn't look so well. All of a sudden, I had the overwhelming urge to be sick, so I ran out of the office. As I reached to doors out to the corridor, it all went black.

When I came round, there were about 10 people all standing over me. I had passed out in the lift lobby outside my company's reception desk. My boss was there with visitors I was due to be meeting in 5 mins and introduced them to me whilst I was lying on the floor! Thank god Stephen had run after me because he caught me as I fainted, so I'd probably have had a nice bump on the head as well.

After a check up from the blood people, they told me maybe I shouldn't give blood anymore. 

Melly,

If you'd be more comfortable to have someone with you, I'd be happy to meet up with you and we can "do lunch" after. 

and here comes the reply from Chuck...