Blood!

Just for the record, this is my 100th entry... I am so bored at work now. But Thank God It's Friday!

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Last Tuesday, there was a blood donation drive from 10-4pm at my workplace.

Since I have never donated blood before, a part of me wanted to try it out but another part decided not to mainly because of fear. I really cannot imagine the needle being stuck to my arm for 10 minutes and it’s extracting my blood.

Furthermore, my colleague Evey, was saying that we could feel the blood oozing out into the tube and that it will feel like someone “sucking” it. That made it scarier.

Nevertheless, at 3.30pm, I gathered my courage and went down with another colleague, Nora, to donate our blood. It was the first time for both of us. I got so scared on the way down to the lobby.

We were asked to fill up a form first, and tears were just brimming at my eyes while I was filling up the form. Upon completion, we have some screening where our weight, temperature and blood pressure was taken.

Me: If I’m too scared, can I back out last minute?

Doc: This is the 2nd time you asked me that question…

(Yup, I kind of yelled that question when I was filling up the form)

Me: Yeah, but I can’t help it…

Doc: Well, it all boils down to voluntary. If you are too scared, you can back out and come again next time when you are better…

In my mind I was like, if I’m too scared now, I don’t think I will never be scared next time. There won't be a next time...

So then he checked my weight, temperature and BP.

The minimum weight to qualify is 45 kg. And I’m standing at 47.5kg.
Weight checked!

Our normal body temperature is 37.5. But mine was 37.8. The doctor kept asking if I had fever or any sickness. I claimed that I am well and fine, and that we both concluded that the small rise in temperature is due to my stress and nervousness in trying to donate my blood.

My blood pressure was normal.

Doc: You will need to go for an iron check at the next station to see if you can donate your blood. If your iron check is good, I would suggest that you do donate your blood since you are in a very healthy condition…

Me: Ok, I’ll try!

At the next station where they need to staple your finger to extract some blood sample…

Me: Can you please be gentle? This is my first time…

Nurse: Don’t worry… It’s like an ant’s bite. Anyway, you look very pretty (ehem) as a malay girl.

Me: No, I’m not pretty at all… I’m just so scared… (At the back of my mind, I knew that praise was just to flatter you & make you relax, but that trick didn’t work on me at all!)

So the nurse rubbed some alcohol, I think, on my finger and took the stapler. But when she poked it, I screamed my heart out! The doctor, Evey and another nurse ran to see what happened. Of course nothing happened, it was just painful!

After that test, apparently I was in a very good condition and I was kinda lured into the blood donation seats.

Evey was with me the whole time, giving me encouragement and support. (Though she herself was scared of needles, she did claim that it wouldn’t hurt) haha

So anyways, the entire blood donation wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be. During the actual process, I really didn’t feel anything. The nurse, Candy Galang, was very gentle to me even when she was poking that needle into my vein.


During the procedure

At the end of the procedure,

Nurse: Since you have been a good-girl today, I am going to give you a hot pink bandage with love motifs.

Me: Oh, okay!

Hahaha… The things I do though I’m at 22 years of age now…

Oppsie, this entry is going to be longer than I expect…

After that, I went back to my office and did work as per normal. I was feeling fine, except for the numbness at my arm.

When it was going home time, I packed my bag and proceeded to my usual bus stop. I reached the bus stop but because there were no seats left, I have to stand.

In less than 3 minutes, I started feeling weird. I was perspiring like crazy (I really can feel sweat dripping at my scalp) and felt like fainting. Not only that, I really felt like throwing up. So I squeezed myself in between seats, took out a plastic bag that I always have in my bag and tried to calm myself down.
I was freaking out, thinking that if I were to faint, would people help me? Would I be robbed? Will I just die if no one helped me?

Those scary thoughts made me force myself to stay composed as I really don’t want to faint at the bus stop. I can’t even call anyone for help as I felt like puking whenever I opened my mouth.

In the end, I made my way home in one piece. I still took the bus, managed to get a seat and slept throughout the entire journey. Apparently I just felt so sleepy after that scary encounter.

Phew, a day when my emotions ran wild and crazy!

Till then people, Have a great upcoming weekend!

I know I will! Will blog about it soon! *winks*

Love!