8.3.07
5:01 PM
of blood and needles
So right...
Remember how i was very excited about donating blood? I was truly excited about the fact that i could save someone's life and eventually become a frequent blood donor...and then over due time, become an organ donor...haha.. okay.. some will beg to differ that comment.. i was excited because it was something i had never done!!
HOWEVER, this dream shattered within 15 minutes of being at the Red Cross Blood Donation Centre on Currie Street.
This is my tragic predicament...
WOke up this morning, had a pretty full on day before, but woke up with a significant excitement that today, i could possible save someone's life. The nagging thought behind my head was of course saying the negative. "you will not be able to donate blood"...etc... I did have a history of low iron level in my blood.
Went through the first three lessons of the day, excitedly awaiting for the clock to read 11.30am..I willingly downed 2.45 litres of water this morning, it was said to be very much needed when donating blood.. Finally it was 11.30am.. excitedly packed my bags.. met 10 other students at the front office.. caught the bus into the city.. the whole time, i played all the possibilities in my head.. Clearly, i was the weird one. Only one excited about having a needle jammed up your arm!!
As soon as we arrived, we had plenty of forms to fill out.. As usual.. Then.. we all had to have an 'interview'.. Get our finger pricked and sort out the details that come along with saving someone's life. Why i don't know, but i was 'interviewed' LAST!! Out of the 10 of us...
Walked into the room, then the nurse asked me a few questions. The usual. Name, age, d.o.b, if i had been out of the country in the past 2 years...rah..rah..rah..
She then pricked my finger to test my blood and that.. (which cained by the way) And she said, your blood looks pale today .. I just smiled, fearing the worst. My negative thoughts coming to pass. She said, your iron level is really low. It has to be a minimum of 120g but your's is only 62g. I smiled and nodded my head. She asked me if i had a problem with this before .. i said yes.. She smiled at me.. The kinda smile that says "my dear girl, i don't think you're gonna be a savior any time soon".
She then attempted drawing blood from my left arm.. she stabbed and stabbed for about 4-5 times, and failed, then stabbed my right arm and managed to draw two tubes of blood. (which then started bleeding. there was like a fountain of blood flowing down my arm.) FREAKY!!! My blood was tested again and my iron level was.........65g!! GREAT!!!
So then, she rang the doctor, who immediately made an appointment for me to see my local doctor. She then rang my mum and explained to her why i needed to urgently get this checked.
*deep sigh*
To cut my long story short, i now have to go for a thorough blood test tomorrow morning, (more needles being stabbed into my arm) to see if i have thalassemia, to do some Fe studies and Vitamin B12 and folate... (whatever all those stuff are)...
I am not sure if i should have gone for this EXCITING expedition to the blood bank. I need to dream small !!!! : )
That was my exciting day!!!! : )
niCcima
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