My Experience Donating Blood

Hello it’s me again! I haven’t written in so long because I’ve been so tied up lately with school work among other things, but I have an incredibly funny story to tell. For the first time ever I decided to donate blood on March 25, 2017 and I was super nervous. It was a splur of the moment decision that was introduced to me by my wonderful science-loving sister. Of course she was head over heels excited to donate blood and so she encouraged me to do the same. I look up to my sister and I wanted to show her that I was brave enough to donate especially considering the fact that my biggest fear is blood, doctor’s appointments and really anything in relation to the hospital. But hey, we all have to face our fears and do something crazy once in a while right? Anyways I hope this story can make you laugh as much as it makes me laugh to this day. Please, make a cup of tea and get ready to read the craziest blood donation experience you’ll probably ever hear of!

Before my sister picked me up from school, I had actually told a lot of my friends and teachers that I was going to donate blood so there was no backing down from going through with it. I was pacing the halls and literally went pee multiple times because I was so scared. Finally, my sister picked me up and then we went to one of the universities in my city to donate blood. We got all set up at the desk and the lady who greeted me asked for my ID and then once she found out that I was just shy of turning 18 years old, she suddenly was so happy because I was the youngest person who had come to donate that day. I thought this was super cool and it immediately made me feel so proud of myself for having the courage to face my fear and also help others in need of a blood transfusion. The lady sounded genuine but I also have a feeling I looked super nervous and she was trying to bring forth some comforting words to my freakishly scared expression.

Next I talked to a man named Michael and I got all set up for a blood donor card which means the next time I can donate will be in July and hopefully my card will be in soon, that way I can figure out my blood type! Following this chat there was a questionnaire. It turned out to be very funny because one of the questions asked if I had come in contact with any blood or needles recently and I answered unsure. Then when I went for my screening with another lady, she had to bring up why I was unsure about this particular question. Turns out the question was directed to whether you were a heroin addict and not if you had come in contact with any blood near or on you etc. To be clear, I do not do heroine and I never have, but then the lady asked me to pull out both of my arms to prove that I had no evidence of needle use. At this time I had to remain serious to keep that composed “I don’t do heroin” face, but inside I wanted to laugh really hard at the absurdity of my mistake.

Following this, the screening lady pricked my middle finger on my right hand and my hemoglobin was only 117 and it needed to be at 125 to donate. Then she pricked my left hand twice and it was 134. Thankfully I was able to donate because at this point I had already invested myself to donating and I was actually getting really hyped.  The lady went over the procedures and then I was all set to start prepping.

I had to wait a little while before they could begin the actual blood donation process. In the meantime I watched the others who sat in the open room giving their blood. It was a little awkward, yet bearable. Finally, Micaela (my sister) and I both had needles inserted into our arms and the blood was transferring slowly to the bag. Normally this procedure takes 6-10 minutes so the majority of people were done quickly. However, Micaela and I were told we have small veins and so our transfer took 20 minutes to fill over a unit of blood. We also did not eat or drink much before we left which doesn’t help the flow of oxygen in the veins to move the blood faster. Accordingly, my nurse Mandi and a different nurse had to keep re-positioning the needle allowing the blood to flow and not clot in the tube. Before I had filled over a unit of blood, Mandi didn’t think my blood was going to continue flowing and that it would have all been for nothing. This is why they made sure I kept squeezing a stress ball and turning my arm from side to side to prevent clots.

Once I was finished, my nurse gave me a juice box and then as soon as I felt ready to get up I went and ate a complementary cookie. I remember cracking some jokes to the people who were waiting to donate because I wanted to make them feel comfortable knowing that it really isn’t all that bad. Bottom line, people were laughing at my jokes and I started to re-think a career in journalism and focus on dropping these mad comedic lines… JK I could never keep a crowd entertained long enough to save my life. Anyways, when Micaela finished she too sat down and had a cookie or two with me as we drank more juice. About 20 minutes later, we decided it was time to leave and began putting our coats on and suddenly I felt really hot and dizzy. Micaela got up to talk to the ladies for some water. This is when things really escalated! After seeing black dots clouding my vision, I was sitting on the floor with several nurses crowding around me holding cold cloths to my forehead and neck. People were yelling for ice, fans, to open a door, get more cloths, etc. Micaela was laughing and I felt so embarrassed, like what a dramatic scene! I was so immobile and then the nurses moved me onto a stretcher. Because the room was open for all to see, everyone saw making it quite hilarious.

Following my dramatic episode, one of the girls I was joking about fainting with also fainted. I swear I jinxed her and me both and it was even funnier because we made eye contact and sort of just smiled. After another 15 minutes Micaela and I were ready to go. Overall I would do it all over again and donate tomorrow. Each blood bag can be used for three different things meaning that three different people can be saved. In conclusion, my blood donation experience was rough and downright embarrassing, but that does not mean I won’t donate again! I am a healthy human being and very capable of helping others so I would like to continue giving to the world in the ways that I can. The importance of helping those in need of blood transfusions means so much more to me, even if it takes 20 minutes to donate or the fact that I could faint again. Even so, I highly encourage anyone over the age of 17 to donate. It is totally worth it and I doubt your experience could be any worse than mine.

Until next time,

Tessa Adamski