Donated Blood for the First Time!

[DanceBabe16]

Today, the doctors and nurses of the MD Anderson Cancer Center came to our high school for our last blood drive of the year. I just turned 17 in December, so this was the first time I was eligible to donate. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - although I should have eaten a bigger breakfast because afterwards I felt nauseous and was literally ATTACKED with cold compresses and washclothes because they thought I was going to pass out.
Nevertheless, everything turned out fine and I'm proud to say that I'll be a donor again in the future and I was just wondering - are there any other blood donors here on the DIS? Any unusual stories of the first time you ever donated blood?

 

[phillybeth]

Congratulations and welcome! I don't have any horror stories, but I can tell you every donation is different- you probably won't get nauseous the next time.

 

[sarah_carter]

I am a blood donor. I first gave my blood when i was 18 i was a junior in high school. The last time i gave i got light headed but that was all. Where i live the blood center always are low on my blood type, so i tried to give alot.

sarah

 

[jfulcer]

Great! The nation needs more blood donors. Don't be afraid of the 'nausea' part of it - you already know the most important thing about giving blood - eat a GOOD meal. I heard the ladies at the last blood drive explaining to someone that even if you don't normally eat a breakfast, you should force yourself to eat a healthy breakfast the day you donate.

I even was managed to donate when I was on a business trip in Tampa a few years ago.

It wasn't really my 'first' donation, but a few visits back I did some called Apherisis (sp?) which is called a 'double red cell donation'. They take two pints of blood out, the machine spins out the red blood cells and puts the plasma back into you. It's a great way to extend your donation and is pretty cool technology.

I know they also do something similar where you just do a 'plasma' donation. It's valuable for you to donate a plasma unit this way because if normally they have to use like 6 donations to make one single plasma donation.

Ok, I've gone OT.

Congrats!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's great, Lisa, keep it up!!!! Good for you.

I have donated many times over the years, and also donated Apheresis for a friend of ours who had a tough bout with cancer and we were a match.

PS: Lisa, I just came across your picture again the other night on the picture thread at the top here, while I was looking for someone else. It was nice seeing a lot of those I had seen in the past, yours among them. Pretty picture, the Lunar Rover Queen if I recall.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Good for you! You are a hero for giving blood..I donated for the first time in high school too! The trick is to have a snack about an hour or so before you donate and also about 12-16 oz. of fluid beforehand. About a year ago, a felt a little queasy after donating but it was because I went right after work, didn't eat or drink and had a wait over an hour to donate.

Now I bring a big water bottle with me and sip on it while I'm waiting. Haven't had a problem since.

 

[goofy4tink]

I was always very squeamish about donating but succumbed to peer pressure in my 20's!!! The drive was thru work, so down we all went. About 6 of us total. Well, when push came to shove, I was the only one allowed to give blood for various reasons...one had dental work being done, another had a cold coming, another one was early pregnancy etc. So, I do fine until the needle comes out. THen I get white as a sheet, start shaking all over and get really nauseous. The nurses all came running over, flipped my 'table' waaay back so that my head was hanging almost off it, put some space age material blanket over me and started giving me o.j.!!! Scared the living bejeebers out of me. After about 1 hr. I was just fine. ANd it has never happened again. THe best time I gave blood was when I gave to my dad for some surgery he was having done. I gave right at the hospital and they have these wonderfully comfy reclining chairs, they give you juice to drink as you are giving the blood. It was wonderful...no nausa, no shakes, no light-headedness afterwards.

 

[dumboiu]

I wish I could donate blood. Unfortunately, when I was having surgery, I could not even donate to myself (prior to the surgery). My veins are too small (for the size needle they use - #16) and collapse easily.
I only bring that to attention as sometimes people respond negatively to those of us who don't donate.

 

[Patabel]

Congratulations! So glad you decided to "give"! I'd been a steady donor since high school (for over 30 years) until I got high blood pressure a couple of years ago. Don't have any additional tips to share, other than agreeing with eating well before you go.

I agree, jfulcer, the apheresis technology is so cool. At the Red Cross in St. Paul, they pamper you to no end when you come in for that

DanceBabe, I hope you continue to give...there are so many folks that need your help!

 

[debster812]

Originally posted by jfulcer
It wasn't really my 'first' donation, but a few visits back I did some called Apherisis (sp?) which is called a 'double red cell donation'. They take two pints of blood out, the machine spins out the red blood cells and puts the plasma back into you. It's a great way to extend your donation and is pretty cool technology.

I know they also do something similar where you just do a 'plasma' donation. It's valuable for you to donate a plasma unit this way because if normally they have to use like 6 donations to make one single plasma donation.

Ok, I've gone OT.

Congrats!

Apherisis and Platelets are what my DH does. He has a standing appointment once a month for platelets, and if the stores are low on red blood, or if his hemoglobin is too high, they will do a double red donation instead of platelets.

To the OP--great for you! Congratulations. I cannot donate, but I do like to volunteer at blood drives to be a 'cookie and juice' person.

 

[autochick]

well I try to donate every year. But I have to say the first time I donated blood I was pregnant and did not know it yet. I kept telling the nurse I didnt fell so well, she told me that I would be fine. Well when she was almost done I looked at her it must have been written on my face becuase she rolled me over on my side, and I was sick. It took september 11 to get me to go back and start donating blood again.

 

[WDWLVR]

I just made an appointment to donate when I get back from vacation. I usually donate a couple of times a year but had to take a year off because when we cruised in May of last year we visited the ruins in Cozumel. If you have gone out of the country be sure and have your dates with you when you go to donate. Different countries have different restrictions.

Congrats on donating. You will never know who you blood has helped but you can be sure it has helped someone.

 

[Hillbeans]

I regularly donated 3 times a year and had to stop when I was PG. I do admit i've only given twice since having DS, only because the twice I have, i've not felt good for days afterwards.

Kudos to all of you blood donators...it's a wonderful way to help out those in need.