07/13/2009 I'll spare you the bloody details

I chuckled ominously today reading not one, but two company-wide work emails that came through about an upcoming blood drive. You see, I approach the decision to donate rather delicately based on my last experience. And- if you're squeamish, please do not read on. Seriously. To briefly summarize this incredible encounter in November, 2008- the nurse tied the tourniquet too tight on my arm, so much so that when she pierced the vein. . well, you all know what happens when a volcano erupts due to the mounting pressure underneath, right? Suddenly a stream of my blood squirted out, hitting my face, sweater (which, of course, was yellow), and work badge. The nurse squealed "THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE! " and tried frantically adjusting the needle while I laid there and waited an oddly long time for someone to help dab the blood off my face. I have to say if I ever was a trooper in my life it was in those minutes as I continued to provide my donation, despite the elongated time that this took after my body's control center screamed, "OH MY GOD WE'RE BLEEDING OUT! " and instructed my blood cells to put on their brakes and clot. Needless to say, I look ahead to my next blood donor experience with slight trepidation. Someone close to me has needed blood and stem cell donations, and I have always kept this in mind as I marched to the chair and rolled up my shirt sleeve. When it came time to donate again this past winter, I got freaked out about what happened previously and passed. Perhaps I was thinking about how much it hurt to bend my arm in the days afterward, or the alarmed look on my husband's face when he saw my blood stained sweater that evening. I feel a little ashamed that I stepped away from something that can truly benefit someone so directly. So, with a deep breath and calm thoughts of all the previous times I've donated with no problems, I think I will give this another whirl. But this time, I'll make sure to wear black.