Tuesday, Bloody Tuesday

[anarchist_nomad]

Went to donate blood this afternoon, my ninth donation since moving to England three years ago. One more and I upgrade from a blue card to a bronze one. You see, dear friends, the National Blood Service has an "award scheme" based on how many times you have donated.

Of course, my rate of donation has slowed since moving across the pond, as the NHS will only take my blood once per sixteen weeks -- in the States, eight weeks is the norm. I have been giving blood since 1997 and I estimate that I have donated about five or six gallons in that time! That's about seven times the amount of blood that I actually have in my body right now! Not too shabby.

Today, I reached a personal milestone. I have been donating blood regularly for over twelve years. Today, for the first time, I actually looked at the needle. Indeed, I looked at it whilst it was in my arm. I have never so much as seen the thing that punctures me before, let alone see it inserted into my flesh. Usually, I ask the nurse to cover it up with a paper towel. I know that, in the grand scheme of things, this counts for nothing. Still, I am proud of myself for making this personal step forward.

Speaking of the nurse, today I had a very chatty nurse from the Philippines. He was also rather clever. Looking at my name, he asked if I was Arabic. I didn't both to correct him and say that I was Coptic. Close enough. He then surmised what my father's name was. I was duly impressed. Alas, I had to come clean when he asked me if I spoke Arabic. I do not... but apparently he does! When I was finished being drained, he made me a rather tasty strawberry milkshake to start replenishing my bodily fluid.

Comments

[cjtremlett.livejournal.com]

Arabic speaking Philippino? I wonder if he's spent time in Dubai? Or another one of the Gulf countries, for that matter. Lots of Philippinos work in the Gulf.

And I realized I do not know your surname! I only know your first name because I've heard Amy use it. I only think of you as Nomad!

[pogodragon.livejournal.com]

I spent 3 years taking blood from people but have NEVER managed to watch the needle go into my own arm. I can watch just before and just after, but the actual 'through the skin' bit, never managed to see that on my own arm.

[blaisepascal]

I've donated blood thrice. After the third time, I got a letter stating that they had to throw out my previous two donations because of elevated levels of a blood protein associated with Hep-B (and obesity, and half a dozen other things not an issue with blood donation). I was asked to not donate anymore.

Since my last donation, I have found out that the particular test which deferred me is no longer being used to to an unacceptable level of false positives. If I wished, I could petition to have the deferral expunged.

Of course, there are now other issues that they consider dispositive which prevent me from donating, despite independent testing verifying that those issues do not make my blood unsafe. A change on one controversial question in the questionnaire would allow me to donate again. If the change is made, I would donate. Until then, there's no reason for me to try.

I've been phlebotomized several times over the years, and I have no problem watching the puncture and draw. I believe I watched the puncture and draw at least once during my three donations.

[salexa.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the personal milestone. It is a significant step forward if you have not done it before.

[tawneypup.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* I am so proud of you, sweetheart!!!! I know what a big step that is and you deserve a ton of hugs and congratulations.

[robertrabbits.livejournal.com]

You're Coptic? I was under the impression that Coptic = Christian.

They don't like it when I try to donate blood. "Hmm. After 1979, huh? You must have the AIDS!"

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

I have never donated blood, although I feel guilty that I haven't. But I am completely squicked by needles puncturing my tender flesh. In fact, I gave birth to Alex completely without medication, not because I'm Mrs. Crunchy Granola Natural, but because I was more afraid of IVs and epidurals than I was of labor pains. (On the other hand, my problem with needles probably did keep me out of serious trouble during the Sixties.)

[nitoda]

I used to donate blood but then when I started to fall into a demographic they don't trust I gave up as I wasn't prepared to lie or declare that I didn't fall into that demographic. :-( I have had sex with a man who has had sex with a man ... that demographic!)

[sfred]

:)
The vampire nurses think I'm very odd for actually watching as the needle goes in.

I get to give blood even less frequently than you, on average: the National Blood Service bars women from giving blood for a year after they've had sex with a man who's EVER had sex with a man, so I've had a few significant gaps in my donations.

[bunnypip.livejournal.com]

Well done again, Sweetie. Prizes as promised on Friday x

[perspicacious.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! I say it's a milestone if you say so. Plus, congrats on moving up to the "bronze" card! That's serious dedication, and quite admirable.

Thanks for the phone call today... as always, lovely to hear your voice. :)

xoxoxo