Surprise at the Red Cross

Bugsy · Post by **Bugsy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:45 pm

So I gave blood just a couple of hours ago. I was afraid I'd get deferred for low iron (it's happened before plenty), because it's TOM. Not only did I pass, but the drop of blood actually fell to the bottom of the copper sulfate solution! That hasn't happened in about 3 years. They ALWAYS have to centrifuge it...but not this time! I guess eating spinach for breakfast, lunch, and dinner yesterday and doubling up on my iron pills for the last few days worked!

Now my arm is sore, though, because the nurse missed my vein a couple of times before finding it.

Wyrd_sister · Post by **Wyrd_sister** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:11 pm

Way to go on the iron, there.

I really like donating blood. A tremendously easy way to do something good and the ladies with the needles are always so sweet.

Once I fainted right after I donated and they kept calling me for the next couple of days just to see if I was ok. Nice.

Lady Bug · Post by **Lady Bug** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:28 pm

I've never had them test my blood iron levels when donating before. Of course, it's been a few years since I've given blood (can't do it anymore because of my annie) . . . .

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:40 pm

LB, they didn't prick your finger first? That's weird. There's not much point in drawing two pints that they can't use.

I stopped giving blood because I always faint. Yes, I suck.

Lady Bug · Post by **Lady Bug** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:41 pm

Crystal Meth wrote:LB, they didn't prick your finger first?

Not that I remember

I stopped giving blood because I always faint. Yes, I suck.

You faint from loss of blood or because you get sick at the sight of blood?

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:43 pm

Loss. I even tried eating TWO breakfasts once before giving, and I still almost fell over after I stood up...

Bugsy · Post by **Bugsy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:55 pm

LB, if it was the Red Cross, they checked your iron before you could donate. They're major sticklers on that one, and their minimum requirement is higher than even the low end of the normal range. I think their minimum is 38%, and normal for women is something like 36-45%.

That's crazy about almost fainting even after eating twice. I've never felt even slightly lightheaded after donating. It's cool that you've tried, though!

kayley · Post by **kayley** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:26 pm

WTG on the iron!

they took it from a friend's ear one time, because it wasn't good enough from her finger. Come to think of it, maybe it was me.

I can't give blood since I was in Central America and on anti-malarials for a long time. Now having lived out of the country for a long time, they don't want me, either.

But the next time I see a blood drive here in Chile, I'll see if they'll let me. Unless having lived in the states will disqualify me!

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:38 pm

I thought the surprise was going to be that you're pregnant!

(Oops, I mean

for you that you're not. But we are due for another pregnancy here. looking around)

Congrats on the iron levels! Can you feel a difference in your energy?

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:44 pm

We're due?? It's been like 90 days since Aimie had hers, Annie. There's nothing wrong with a pregnancy-free board.

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:06 pm

Well, we are a group of 20/30 something women. It seems like we don't go very long without someone being pregnant. The last gap was between Beverly/Aly and Marie. That was about 3 months or less.

So yeah. We're due.

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:10 pm

Annie wrote:Well, we are a group of 20/30 something women.

That doesn't *really* mean anything. April, help me out here, LOL.

But if you'd like, I shall send fertility vibes to the sex-having people...

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:13 pm

Only send them to the people who want babies though. I don't think Anna would be happy if she got knocked up because of you.

kayley · Post by **kayley** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:16 pm

not all of the sex havers want fertility, I'm pretty sure. Spoken by a nonsex haver. for the moment....

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:18 pm

*vibes to people who want babies in the near future, whoever they may be as they have not necessarily shared this news, and may or may not exist*

That's a lot of work for one little vibe

Annie · Post by **Annie** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:19 pm

Yeah, it is.

Anyway, back to April's blood. Yeehaw!

Bugsy · Post by **Bugsy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:31 pm

Yeah no kidding! I want as many anti-pregnancy vibes as I can get! Jeesh, you guys!

(and actually, I finally called Planned Parenthood today and set up an appointment for an IUD consultation. It's Dec. 6th.

)

curvyred · Post by **curvyred** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:43 am

Keep those pregnancy vibes away from me too!

Baby vibes yes--pregnancy vibes, no.

Good for you for giving blood--that's great! I should go in--it's been a while.

Beverly · Post by **Beverly** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:50 am

Good work on upping your iron levels, April! I can never get mine up, so I'm really impressed!

I always want to give blood, but even if the MS didn't disqualify me, I'm sure my low iron levels would.

About pregnancy vibes, I'm in a so-so place about that right now. I mean, I absolutely do NOT want to get pregnant now, but maybe in a year or so ... lately, though, I've been re-thinking that. Three might be enough for me.

Jax · Post by **Jax** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:38 am

Congratulations on being a Popeye Girl!

(and keep the pregnancy vibes away from me, please. thank you.)