HI everyone, it's been a long time since I posted on here(other than commenting on exsisting posts) and wanted to share something with all of you.
Yesterday I donated blood for the first time. Lightning did not strike me, I did not have a car accident on the way home and the blood committee was not waiting outside for me.
I have been researching blood donation for a couple of years, but never worked up the nerve to actually do it. The Canadian Blood Services website is very informative and the woman I talked to when booking the appointment was very nice as well.
So, as I am driving to the appointment, I can feel my heart racing and my blood pressure going up. I can't believe I am actually doing this, it feels so surreal to me. Part of me feels like such a fraud because I actively worked against blood donation for soo long.
Needless to say, when they check my blood pressure, it is sky high. I inform the nurse that my blood pressure is normally on the high side and it gets worse if I am excited or emotional. She says she can tell I am kind of wound up and asks what made me decide to start donating. She listens very intently to my story and asks lots of questions. She suggests that I sit for a bit and try to relax. It works and I am off to the next step.
I should mention that first time donors are given a sticker to wear so everyone you come in contact with takes few extra minutes to explain what is going on.
Afterwards I am sitting having my cookies and juice and another donor sees my sticker and asks me why I am there. I kind of laugh and say he'll find it funny, he promises not to laugh and I proceed to tell him that it is on my bucket list. I explain my history and he says "nope, that was totally not what he was expecting".
I feel really good about myself in general and actually going thru with something that has alot of emotional baggage attached to it has taken a huge weight off me.
Thanks for listening!
Bobbi