Who On Here Has Donated Blood?

[faithcecelia]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1316030430' post='2304689']

My mom is a nurse so I want to talk to her about it. She didn't even know I was going to do it because I didn't want to tell I was going to in case I backed out which is what happened. But now I want to talk to her and see if she knows a good place and see if she's willing to take me. I'm just afraid that if I couldn't face it this time, I'll never be able to. And I want to be able to. Do they let Nuns do it if they want to?
[/quote]

Thats a good idea to talk to your mum.

Its actually a question I want to ask SrMJ! I didn't ask at Q as we were in a very isolated location and it was a fair drive to the doctors, and I don't know if they even held sessions there. But NH had a big medical centre at the end of the road and I am 99% sure they hold sessions there so I would like to continue donating if I can.

[LouisvilleFan]

If you're a real trooper (and enjoy movies) you can graduate to platelet donations! They hook you up to an apherisis machine, which fiddlers platelets and plasma and sends your red/white blood cells and whatever else back into you. Since the whole process takes about two hours, you get to relax and enjoy a movie while the machine goes to work. I've seen a lot of movies at the Red Cross over the past several years

[FutureSister2009]

It's definitely something I want to attempt again before I go into the Convent. Clearly giving my hair is less complicated and less painful. I remember my hairdresser was like "Are you ready?" and I'm like "Yeah!" Not like those women on TV that haven't had a hair cut in 10 years who cry over it.

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='FutureSister2009' timestamp='1316029385' post='2304670']
I chickened out. I feel so horrible. I was thinking all day that I couldn't do it and then I thought maybe I can do it but then at the last second, I decided I just couldn't. I feel like the most selfish person in the world. I wanted this to help me overcome my selfishness and maybe grow up a little. I'm putting my own comfort before the lives of others. I really did want to do it and I was even thinking all day yesterday that I was going to do it. I still want to but my anxiety is so high that it would probably be bad if I did it. I just feel so bad. Go ahead,call me selfish, call me a coward. I know it's true
[/quote]
try again

[Luigi]

As MLKolbe said, Try again. Talk your mom into going with you as support personnel. Make her take you to lunch afterward.

[Nunsense]

You're building it way out of proportion. My nephew has leukemia - he has had needles stuck into him since he was five years old - taking things out and putting things back in.... if a five year old can do all that, you can give a little blood. what? Have you never had a blood test before or an injection? It isn't any worse than that!

You will feel a lot better about yourself if you try again and succeed... but do take a partner with you to help you get through it.

Think of all the little kids you might help with your blood!!!!

[got2luvjc]

[quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1316093981' post='2305001']

You will feel a lot better about yourself if you try again and succeed... but do take a partner with you to help you get through it.

Think of all the little kids you might help with your blood!!!!
[/quote]

It's just a little pinch. I can guarentee that almost everyone has felt worse pain at some point in their life. Papercuts hurt worse than the needle. I've given blood as often as I can ever since I was 17. I had to wait a while because I got tattoos but I went again for the first time in years just last month and it was so rewarding. Plus who can argue with free juice and cookies afterwards?! I drank a TON of water the 48 hours before my donation and ate plenty of iron and I was fine I was cracking jokes with the ARC staff the whole time!

[MissMaro]

[quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1316001288' post='2304542']

It depends on what blood giving district you live in. The NYC district allows those who live in Europe to donate--my friend's mother can donate there, but she can't donate in NJ because NJ doesn't allow it. It's really strange.
[/quote]

That's interesting. Maybe I'll try again if I ever end up going to NYC.Thanks for letting me know.