Yesterday afternoon I had big plans. Give blood at 3:15 and then take the kids to the "big city" 1/2 hour away. Look for costumes and really good sales.
I got to the church to give blood. I read the booklet about requirements. I got a mini-interview, and I filled out the questions on the computer. Then the nice young man took me over and hooked me up to take my blood. I read a book while my blood was going out. It took 5 1/2 minutes. Pretty impressive! It usually takes 6 minutes at least.
And that is when things started to get ugly.
After taking my bag of blood away, the man needed to get two small viles of blood. I suppose this is for testing. When he was getting the first vile, my vein actually started vibrating. As if a machine was hooked up making it vibrate.
I started feeling really bad. "Crappy" would even be a word I would use to describe how I was feeling. I could tell things were about to get worse.
And then I remember nothing. Blackness.
Followed by voices calling my name. Telling me I had to wake up and open my eyes. Very loudly.
I was so tired. Why wouldn't they just let me sleep? I didn't want to wake up. Where was I, anyway?
But I'm the obedient type- right, Nobody?
So I opened my eyes. I noticed quite the stir around me. But then I realized I needed to throw up. Which I did. Thankfully in a bag.
I had been out for 45 seconds. I thought that to be a short amount of time. The American Red Cross did not think this was a short time. I stayed on the regular lay-down chair for about 1/2 hour. With someone asking if I was feeling better every 30 seconds or so. I finally told them I could tell it was going to be a while before I was going to recover enough to move. At least an hour or two.
That's when they set up the "big bed". Two bigger men
Where I laid for an hour and a half. Not getting any better. My body in shock. Shaking most of the time, followed by brief moments of calm.
And then I threw up again.
That's when they started getting worried. The guy in charge called the doctor overseeing the operation. Paperwork got brought out. One of the ladies was assigned to stay with me and not leave my side. She did blood pressure and pulse at least every 10 minutes. Both were pretty low and if they got lower. Hmm. I don't know what they would have done. But I know she was to make sure they didn't go lower.
I could just feel that I wasn't recovering. I tried to call BA. 14 times. I left two messages. He was with patients, so he didn't get the messages until just after 6:00. By the time he got over to see what was going on, he didn't want to play around. He wanted to take me home and let me sleep. I told him they absolutely wouldn't let me go unless I was feeling better. I couldn't even sit up without blacking out!
The next half hour I did start to improve. The American Red Cross doctor decided I could be released to my husband, since he is a doctor. I slowly started sitting up. And a few minutes after that I started the process of standing and sitting until I felt well enough to stay standing and walk. Two people helped walk me out to the van. I almost threw up on the way out. And on the way home.
I got home a little before 7:00. I went right to my bed. Around 8:00 the shaking stopped. I was so thankful for that! I was in and out of sleeping the rest of the evening and slept the whole night.
Right now I'm in my pajamas. I have no plans of getting out of them the whole day. It's a strange thing to experience something like that. I don't mean any disrespect to my body, but somehow, I trust it less now. I am not invincible, as most teenagers mistakenly believe. I knew this already, but something has happened. I can't describe it. I got nervous when BA was going to take all the kids to get dinner after I got home last night. I asked him to leave one of the kids in case something happened.
I had no control over my physical body. My mind wanted to be strong and well. But my body wouldn't allow it.
Several times throughout the ordeal, especially after the second round of throwing up, it was said to me that I have saved three lives and my life has been saved. But please don't try to give blood again. I don't think I will. Ever again.
5 comments:
Becky, you're not alone. First time I gave blood I was on base and in uniform. When I came to I was mostly undressed (boots off, feet elevated, blousing straps gone, belt and bdu pants undone, t-shirt untucked) and only knew I felt like dirt. I'm another very fast bleeder. Needless to say, I didn't make it to work. I tried again a few times and was essentially banned....'till 9/11. Since I wasn't driving home until after I had recovered there, they figured I'd be okay. Still passed out, still threw up a bunch of times, but only had to be helped back to my rack and sit on my butt until close to midnight.
Biggest thing that helped me with it all: water. LOTS and lots of water.
Sorry you found this out like this, too....but it's still a noble thing and you were still able to help someone. FEEL BETTER!!!! And welcome to the "I can't give blood because my body goes into shock" club ((hugs))
Yeah I think you are exempt from giving blood after that ordeal. Glad your okay!~Liz
Every time I've tried to give blood, I've been denied for some reason or another. Maybe someday I'll actually get to try (and hopefully I'll have better luck).
Oh.my.gosh! I laughed out loud about you being obedient. What a CRAZY experience! I'm like Charlotte, I've always been denied for one reason or another, so I just quit trying. One time I had just gotten back from England and there was the whole mad cow bidness going on.
I also laughed at "no disrespect to my body."
"No disrespect body, and imma let you finish in a second, but Beyonce gave some of the BEST BLOOD IN THE WORLD this year..."
p.s. I'm glad you got home safely and are better. I just realized all I commented was how I laughed. But in real life, I was concerned. I laugh when I'm nervous...
Post a Comment