I have talked before about what it takes for me to be a regular blood donor. How I have been turned away for low iron, how not eating at the right time can make me nauseous, and how dehydration has made me fail even after the stick. I have created a pre-draw plan to make sure I can have a successful donation.
Before the Blood Draw
It starts a week before with lots of spinach in my diet so I can avoid the side effects of iron supplements which make me sick to my stomach. Then mindful drinking of water two days before and timing my first meal of the day one and a half hours before arriving at the blood center. I pretty much have that part down to a science.
For the Babies
And as a Baby Quad donor, I no longer worry about trying to do apheresis, which I have never had success with. Instead of worrying about what I will donate; plasma, red blood cells, or double reds, I have concluded with the help of blood center staff, I am a valued whole blood donor. An easy-peasy fifteen minute draw and fifteen minute cool down with snacks, preferably Zebra Cakes. Done. Save a life. Repeat in 56 days.
After the Blood Draw Care
I always thought the “don’t do anything for twelve hours” advice was just for wimps. I feel fine after my fifteen minute carb refuel. I didn’t plan a hike after. We hiked before. But we did plan to do a little shopping while we were in town. And I felt fine, great, until I didn’t.
Not Really Super Woman
We were almost done shopping. I was complaining about the lack of options in the Atkins aisle and was feeling ready to check out and take on the world when it hit. I felt light-headed and my chest began to pulsate. I felt as if my legs were about to wobble out from underneath me. I staggered to a stack of boxed protein shakes and took a seat.
No Big Deal
My son yelled down the aisle, “What are you doing?” I motioned for him to come near me and I whispered. “I think I am going to pass out.” I put my head between my knees and held my chest. The last thing I wanted was to be sprawled out on the floor in the health food aisle with a bunch of total strangers crowding around, making a big deal out of it. Authorities would be called in, it could get ugly and uncomfortable.
Preventing a Panic Attack
I reassured my son I just needed a minute and when I got my breath we found a chair and I rested while he scanned our basket of goods. I avoided a panic attack by taking cleansing breaths I had learned in yoga. I was fine and happy we were done shopping. I made it to the car and ate a few bites of sushi and drank a bunch more water. My head cleared and my heart slowed down.
One Pint Down
My son reminded me, “Don’t forget you’re a pint low.” To put it in perspective our bodies only store about 10 pints of bloood. It takes 24 hours for the body to replace the plasma lost in a pint of blood, it takes 4-8 weeks (the crimson 56 days) to replace a pint of red cells.
The Critical 12 Hours
Blood loss during a donation is a real thing. It’s why we got 4 hours administrative leave in the military to donate. Today I learned to respect that a little more. And no more shopping after blood donations. Next time I will commit to General TSO and Netflix for at least 12 hours after a blood draw!!
The Most Critical Two Pints of My Life
I feel privileged to be able to donate my blood. I appreciate that I am healthy enough to replace my iron after a donation and produce an additional pint every 56 days. I may not contribute much to society but one thing I can do is give a pint that might help save someone’s life like it did for me. I am grateful that several people took the time to donate the two pints of blood that saved my life in 1984. Without it I wouldn’t have been able to see my baby boy grow up into the fine man he is today. I am pretty sure the rest of my kids and my grandkids are pretty grateful for those two pints of blood, too. Blood is the gift that just keeps on giving.
The Nation’s Blood Supply
I realize that life will go on if I am unable to donate. I am fully aware of how replaceable I am. There are tons of crimson bags being hung on iv poles every day that didn’t come from me. But if you know a blood donor, give them a shout out for me. It takes a lot of donors who regularly take the time to make a successful donation to keep our blood supply ready for your next emergency. It is something I will never take for granted.