Donated blood today - it's my fourth time.
Unlike the other times, this time the appointment for it is booked way in the morning around 9:30AM. Surprisingly enough, I see more donors today than other times, when I booked for near noon/afternoon appointments.
Wasn't feeling spectacular due to the early hours and lack of food/drinks----woke up around 8:30 so barely had time for a quick shower before going; sleeping nearly 3AM in the morning the day before didn't help, either.
Pleasant surprise: the cute nurse I saw at my first/second donations was here
Unpleasant surprise: the last 2 times I used my right arm as it's easier for the nurse to find that arm's veins. This time, though, the nurse had trouble finding the elusive vein. When she put the needle in, blood did not come out----the fact that I did not take any fluids in the morning did not help matters. So she had to call for help and try again with the left arm, which took another 10 minutes but fortunately worked. Both arms hurt when I moved my arms, overall still a rewarding experience. Was a bit dizzy afterwards; rather it's the effect of the blood loss or good old-fashion hunger induced dizziness I didn't know, maybe just the fact that I didn't sleep well and was tired; but intake of food and fluids certainly helped.
Pity, though: the last 2 times I saw a gentleman who donates blood regularly and schedules his appointments on the same days as mine. However since I went for early morning this time, I did not see the gentleman and could not say "hello" to him.
Looking forward: there's a minimum 56 days between donations: and the next appointment had already been booked for 16th Nov.08.
Edit: added picture - although this was taken when I first donated blood over a year ago, the photo was not uploaded till recently.
Unlike the other times, this time the appointment for it is booked way in the morning around 9:30AM. Surprisingly enough, I see more donors today than other times, when I booked for near noon/afternoon appointments.
Wasn't feeling spectacular due to the early hours and lack of food/drinks----woke up around 8:30 so barely had time for a quick shower before going; sleeping nearly 3AM in the morning the day before didn't help, either.
Pleasant surprise: the cute nurse I saw at my first/second donations was here
Unpleasant surprise: the last 2 times I used my right arm as it's easier for the nurse to find that arm's veins. This time, though, the nurse had trouble finding the elusive vein. When she put the needle in, blood did not come out----the fact that I did not take any fluids in the morning did not help matters. So she had to call for help and try again with the left arm, which took another 10 minutes but fortunately worked. Both arms hurt when I moved my arms, overall still a rewarding experience. Was a bit dizzy afterwards; rather it's the effect of the blood loss or good old-fashion hunger induced dizziness I didn't know, maybe just the fact that I didn't sleep well and was tired; but intake of food and fluids certainly helped.
Pity, though: the last 2 times I saw a gentleman who donates blood regularly and schedules his appointments on the same days as mine. However since I went for early morning this time, I did not see the gentleman and could not say "hello" to him.
Looking forward: there's a minimum 56 days between donations: and the next appointment had already been booked for 16th Nov.08.
Edit: added picture - although this was taken when I first donated blood over a year ago, the photo was not uploaded till recently.
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