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Here's to Your Health:  Giving blood...I survived!  |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 10:38:05 AM
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And I have a strong phobia of needles. Haven't had 'needle' ANYTHING in YEARS--no vaccines, no blood tests, nothing. And now a friend has talked me into donating blood with her Thursday.
I already feel faint... tell me I should do this!!! Eeeeeee..... 
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
Edited by - Prairie Princess on May 01 2008 2:31:00 PM |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 11:13:13 AM
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You can do it Jodi!! I used to do it (for years) every two months. Last time I went (about 6 months ago) my blood pressure was too high. Now that it is okay again (cuz of medication) I hope to do it again soon..if they take blood with high blood pressure medicine in it...
It isn't bad at all ...really!!! Make sure you try to eat things with lots of iron to make sure your blood "passes"..like broccoli! Years ago when I was a waitress and had worked all day and drank iced tea all day and hadn't eaten much my blood was too low in iron and I got refused..every other time it was fine..they told me about broccoli..which I love anyhow.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 11:26:26 AM
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Does chocolate (my comfort food!!!) have iron in it????  LOL Thanks for the encouragement and advice, Jenny... I'm going to try it. :)
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Catydid
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Caitlin
Arizona
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 12:42:42 PM
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| I give blood all the time, mainly because my blood type is 0- and it is the universal donor, which means that anybody can receive it, and the blood bank is always calling to set up an appointment with me. I just have to be sure to drink tons of water, and eat a really good, high protein meal the morning that I go in, otherwise I have less than pleasant reactions after donating. |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 12:50:32 PM
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One of the best things about donating is the conversations that you can get into with people. I need to be better about going. Actually, next Monday there is a blood drive at the local community center. Jodi, if you go Thursday, I'll go Monday, and we can both eat chocolate as a prize!
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS
P.S. Think chocolate and don't look at the needle!!!! |
Edited by - Forrester Farm on Apr 29 2008 12:51:14 PM |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 1:04:53 PM
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Sounds like a plan, Ann! I shall envision truffles and strawberry creams in dark chocolate while they pin cushion me, and then we can share details about our decadent chocolate spree and talk about how proud we are of going after you do it on Monday! 
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2008 : 1:21:27 PM
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Jodi, you'll be fine--my mother gets an invite every year to a cocktail hour and dinner in her (and other "red mile" donors) through our Hoxworth Blood center--I forget how many gallons she's donated. Last year she got to tour the new high tech Plateletts and Plasma Center by special invitation (she was REALLY psyched!!). I don't mind giving blood at all, but Jenny is right about eating things to boost your iron.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 03:49:35 AM
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Be sure to drink lots of water that morning and eat a good substantial breakfast
Donating is one of the better humanitarian things you can do
I am AB pos and have been donating since 1991.
The zoo where I work makes it easy, as the blood mobile coems here twice a year.
Make it a fun event by going out for a lunch or dinner afterward. And when the nurse tells you to take a breath as she sticks you, DO IT!
The worst part for me is actually the needle stick they do on your finger to test for iron levels. That little thing makes the tip of my finger ache all day! |
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Catydid
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Caitlin
Arizona
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 10:02:43 AM
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OH man! I totally agree about the finger prick! I think it is completely worse than getting the needle in the arm!
I've found that I actually do better donating plasma, rather than whole blood. Even though they take out two pints, they give back a saline solution and some of the other stuff in the blood, so you are actually better hydrated when you leave than when you came in.
quote:
Originally posted by Annab
The worst part for me is actually the needle stick they do on your finger to test for iron levels. That little thing makes the tip of my finger ache all day!
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 07:50:47 AM
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Today is THE day. *shudders*
If I could get past the needle factor I would be fine. The idea itself doesn't bother me in the least. *sigh* Oh well, here's to stepping out of my comfort rut...
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 2:29:51 PM
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Welll..... I suvived!!!
Barely, however. Had a reaction and starting hyperventilating and nearly blacked out about three times. WEEEIIIRD feeling your blood drain out of your body...
But now I get those chocolates, lol. 
I'm surprised y'all are saying that the finger prick is the worst part--I didn't even feel it when they did mine. I didn't believe she'd actually poked me until I saw my finger start to bleed.
The actual needle, though?!?! Whooooooa... that thing was larger than the needle I use to vaccinate my mare!!!!
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Catydid
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Caitlin
Arizona
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 09:28:23 AM
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| It is a pretty large needle. I have a few small scars on my left arm, they are just tiny circles that kind of indent when I bend my arm. I find that if I don't look at the needle when they put it in I am fine. I am glad that I don't have any problems while actually giving the blood. They always say that I am a good "bleeder", though I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing. |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 10:41:28 AM
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Jodi,
I was thinking about you on Thursday. This is the first time that I've had to hop on the computer. What kind of chocolate did you enjoy afterwards?
Ok, confession time.....I can't keep my side of the bargain and give blood on Monday. I've had chills, a fever, and overall yuckiness since Tuesday. Finally went to the doctor, and I have an ear infection of all things. My ears didn't hurt - just everything did. I'm on antibiotics, and can't give blood until I'm done with the meds. I'm so sorry to renig - but I plan on giving blood as soon as this is all cleared up. To top it off, my husband was out of town, and I've been on jury duty.
Sometimes I don't realize what a blessing it is to "feel good", until I "feel bad"!!!
Ann
Forrester Farm
http://picasaweb.google.com/FORRESTERFARM/FORRESTERFARMWEDDINGS |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - May 06 2008 : 08:43:31 AM
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Ann, I'm so sorry to hear you're not feeling well! Hopefully you'll get well soon, no fun being ill, especially on top of jury duty!!
I have a confession of my own to make... I kinda sorta ate an entire box of chocolates the day before I went in... I was so nervous, I couldn't help myself!! Chocolate is my comfort food BIG time! LOL 
But to make matters worse, I ate nearly an entire cheesecake in the day after I gave blood, since I was out of chocolate...............
I earned it, though, right?? Haha...
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2008 : 07:04:03 AM
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YEA Jodi!
Happy to know you survived! YEA!!
I donated last Tuesady.
They changed up the finger prick thingy. They said this time the needle goes deeper, so you don't feel it as much. Good thing, cause my iron levels were kind of on the edge and they had to do another stick on the other hand. I was able to take those bandaids off just after lunch. No sore fingers!
I also have tiny scars from many, many years of donations.
Keep up the good deed! It may not get any easier, but now you know what to expect
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2008 : 11:46:37 AM
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Well, if they changed the finger prick part of it all, I'm glad it got changed before I went in!! Lol...
And glad you're doing better, Ann! 
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - May 14 2008 : 5:09:50 PM
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I am SOOOO GLAD that you donated, (and especiallly glad you survived!)
Four years ago I had the rare experience of having my daughter and my grandmother in the same hospital on two different floors - and they both needed transfusions the same night. It saved both their lives on that occasion. My daughter had a C-section and my grandmother had a bleeding stomach ulcer. They are both A- which is not the most common type so I was really glad for the Red Cross and the people who give blood.
Last year my dad had heart surgery and we were sitting with him after the surgery and he just never really came out of recovery when he was supposed to - he was awake but he couldn't really open his eyes very long or make intelligible conversation. After several hours they FINALLY gave him a transfusion and the difference was SO dramatic - as soon as they got the first unit in him he opened his eyes and started talking to us just like normal.
Everyone should give if they can. It's not hard (if you can overcome your needle fear) and it saves so many lives.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 18 2008 : 03:33:11 AM
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I saw yesterday one of the local churches will be having a blood drive.
I thought "cool, I'll donate again!" but you have to wait 6 weeks I think
Have only come close to passing out really badly once. I ran through a parking lot to get out of the rain about an hour after donating and ended up feeling so poorly I had to elevate my legs in the middle of the book store! Made me feel queazy too. Kind of weird |
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Here's to Your Health: Giving blood...I survived! |
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Giving blood...I survived!
