Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Monday, January 29, 2007

So Embarrassing

I donated blood for the first time last week ... and passed out. (Not as prettily as the gal in the drawing, though. I wish!) As a kid I never did well with blood tests. It wasn't unusual for me to faint or throw up. As an adult, I didn't have any trouble so long as I was lying down when the event occurred.

The last time I braved sitting up for a blood test was when Greg & I went to get our marriage license. I didn't want to look like a wimp in front of my finance. He did his test lickety-split. Then the lady couldn't hit the vein in my right arm, so after several tries moved to my left arm--no luck. Went back to my right arm and by the time we were done, Greg was about to pass out, too! Ha!

Anyhoo, for the longest time I didn't weigh enough to donate blood. But I don't have that excuse anymore. Determined to do my part, I went to the blood bank, told them I hadn't fainted in years and was ready to give it a try.

They have these awesome recliners that lean way back and elevate your feet. The fella who took my donation got a vein with his first try and we were off. I did pretty well for about the first four or five minutes. Then I noticed how difficult it was becoming to squeeze the little ball they gave me. My arm was growing weaker and weaker. My fingers were tingling. My head was beginning to feel light.

I didn't want to stop squeezing the ball because I wanted the blood flow to be good (so I'd be done soon). I resorted to squeezing only with my thumb. Very shortly after that, the technician said I was done. He removed the needle, released the turnicate and ... all the blood whooshed away from my brain.

If you've never fainted, it is an incredibly helpless feeling. You know you are fixing to lose it. You tell your blood to go right back up there where it belongs--but it doesn't listen. You get really, really clammy, then really, really hot. The last thing to go is your hearing.

I looked up at the tech and said, "I'm so, so sorry." Then passed out.

Just before I lost all consciousness, I heard him holler, "Get some ice packs!"

When I came to, it was like you see on TV where all those heads are looking down on you. My recliner was completely surrounded by techs. I had a bazillion ice packs one me--one on each shoulder, behind my neck, on my chest, on my tummy, and I can't remember where all.

In a loud piercing voice, the tech on my left sternly commanded me to "cough!"

Cough? Right. I was too weak to move. To weak to keep my eyes open. No way did I have the strength to cough. Still, I gave it a try, pathetic though it was.

"Open your eyes," she said.

A pause. "Both eyes, Mrs. Gist."

And so it went. They brought me some soda, but I was too weak to hold the cup, so they got a straw and held it for me. (It was warm--yuk. Fortunately, I was too weak to ask for ice. That would have been a little much, even for me.)

Over the course of an hour, I gradually returned to normal--normal enough to sit up and then walk and then drive. But it took a while. They gave me strict instructions to go across the street to Sonic and get me a big ol' burger with tater-tots covered in cheese and to drink lots of fluids.

I did just as the doctor ordered, then came home, collapsed into bed and slept for over an hour.

So ... that was my big adventure last week. I wonder what it is in my genetic make-up that triggers this kind of reaction in me? I don't faint at the sight of blood. I don't have any great fear of needles. I'm not quivering with fear when blood needs to be drawn. Nor do I have any control over my response. Kinda strange, isn't it?

What about you? Are you like the gal in the recliner next to me who sashayed in, gave a couple dozen pumps of the little rubber ball, then jumped up and waltzed out without even blinking? I was soooo envious of her. Imagine being able to give blood that easily. What kind of donor are you?

posted by Deeanne at 8:26 AM

13 Comments:

Barb said...: Oh great--my daughter gives blood regularly and I was thinking of doing it here soon--first time since high school--but now you've got me wondering if I should?! BTW, your 3rd grade picture is so CUTE!!! You coulda been a child model!
daisy4given said...: I have tried to give blood so many times, & have never been sucessful! My normal resing body temperature is always at least 99 degrees, so living in Arizona & trying to donate is a challenge for me, since they won't let you give blood when you are "running a fever". Whenever i have tried to give blood, & have walked the 10 feet from my air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned building or bus (in the 115 degree heat), my temperature usually jumps a point or two, & I am thus determined to be unable to donate! It's so frusterating! But your blog has inspired me to try & donate again, because it's only 65 today, so maybe I can make it into a donation center without getting a fever! haha!
angela said...: I gave blood in high school, but they only let me fill the bag 1/2 full because I'm pretty little. I have fainted, though. The first time was in the bathroom when I had the flu. The second time was when I was seven months pregnant, driving down I205 in Portland Oregon.

I rolled my car and got hit by a semi. My car was completely totaled except for my seat. I had glass down my shirt, but not a scratch on me. Everyone knew they had experienced a miracle when I climbed out of the car by myself. I did go to the hospital to get an ultrasound and make sure my baby was alright. That's when I found out the little girl I was expecting was actually a boy. We joke that my accident scared the penis out of him.
Deeanne said...: LOL, Angela!! But, ohmygosh--how *scary*! Praise the Lord you and the baby were all right.

I'm sure you'll be fine, Barb. I just seem to have trouble with this kind of thing.

Good luck, Daisy. Let us know how it goes!
Katybug said...: I have never dontated blood, but I've been stuck for blood tests so many times I've felt like a pin cushion. And I've fainted too...once in college I got dehydrated & fainted, felt like such an idiot. Then when I was pregnant and going to the doctor for my diabetes test (I think), I passed out there too (good place to pass out). I had been given a specific menu to eat for breakfast, and it didn't have enough protein in it for both me & baby. All was well, however, but we all require a high protein breakfast every day!!!
Jenster said...: I used to give blood regularly, but they won't take my blood anymore. I'm proud to say I'm really good with needles and that sort of thing. Good thing after going through chemo and having labs drawn every week for several months. lol

I DID nearly pass out, however, when my husband had injured his knee and the doctor was telling us all the things that were wrong with it. We were very young and foolish and he blew his knee out during a two week period we had no health insurance. I don't really think I was being squeemish. But as the doctor was talking about rebuilding his knee and all the rehab he would go through, all I could think of was, "We can't afford this." So I started getting that dizzy, clammy feeling and thought I'd just excuse myself quietly. But the doctor looked at me - apparently I was the same color as my white sweater - and he had a nurse take me to my own room and get a cool cloth for my head. I felt so foolish! So when we were walking out I told the doctor since we had no money OR insurance he could have our firstborn. He laughed and said he had enough children. $50.00 a month for the next 50 years would be fine.

On a side note, Todd had been wearing a brace he'd been prescribed for a previous minor injury (we were playing volleyball for my company when he blew it out). His doctor wanted him back in the brace after the swelling from the major surgery had gone down, but when the caster looked at it he said it was the wrong brace for his injury. Todd called the brace company and told them what happened and the president of the company told him to send all his medical bills to him. We ended up not paying a dime.

God is so good!! I worked in a very sedate, prestigious law firm in Little Rock at the time and it was all I could do to keep from running and jumping down the halls yelling, "Hallalulia!! Praise God!!" In fact, I think I did a little. :o)

And on yet another side note (and then I'll shut up) - you're so lucky to have a local Sonic! The lovely state of Pennsylvania only has one Sonic - and you can bet we found it! It's about an hour's drive and we find all manner of excuses to mosey over that way and while we're there, well, we may as well stop in for a double cherry coke and Cheddar Peppers!

Oh wait. I'm not done. I agree with Barb. Your 3rd grade picture is adorable!

Angela - What a horrifying experience! But what a funny story you got from it. I love hearing about miracles!!

Okay. NOW I'm done. (Was that a sigh of relief I heard???) :o)
Barb said...: Did you say a prestigious law firm in Little Rock? :o0
I looked like a chipmunk in 3rd grade. A chipmunk with cat eye glasses.
Jezreel said...: I can't stand needles so that was on hilarious story to read, Dee!! Hope all is well!!
Marci said...: Hi Dee - your post reminded me that I need to check to see if we're 'safe' to give blood again. Had to wait a while because we lived in a malaria zone. I'm one of those who waltz in and out. :)
Also, the link to my trailer is working now. Go to www.vinemarc.com
and scroll down to the book cover of One Smooth Stone.
Blessings, :)Marci
Shauna said...: I just want to say a big "THANK YOU" to all of you who have given blood. I'm tearing up just reading about this. Giving blood was never anything that really crossed my mind. I'd seen the ads on t.v., heard about the blood banks needing donations, but just never gave much thought to actually going down and giving.

Almost a year ago, after a difficult labour that ended in a C-section, there were some complications that demanded I have blood STAT. (Like the medical term?) I had to be put out for the operation because the epidural (sp?) hadn't worked and I could feel the cutting on my left side. They put me under and I came to in the ICU hooked up to so many monitors and machines, one that was pumping blood into my arm. They told me that I had lost a LOT of blood during the surgery. My blood pressure was 60/40 and my heart rate was 180, which caused me to be in serious risk of cardiac arrest and I needed blood immediately. What a blessing to live in a country where there is a supply of healthy blood available!

I can't begin to tell you how incredibly grateful and thankful I am to all of you who give! It's this kind of selflessness that saves lives and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! It does make a difference. I get to watch my three boys grow up and there is no greater blessing than that!!

May God bless you!!
Jenster said...: Shauna - what a nice testiment. :o)

And yes, Barb - there were a few prestigious law firms in Little Rock. About three. LOL
Deeanne said...: I'm with ya, Katybug. I felt like an idiot, too.

LOL, Barb.

Jen - I absolutely *love it* when God does stuff like that. He is so precious.

I forget that there are parts of the country without Sonic Burgers. Ohmygosh. We have three of them within a 10 mile radius of my home. And we visit all three!

Wow, Shauna. Thanks for sharing that.

Glad to see Jezreel & Marcia de-lurked! We've missed you.
Bettsi said...: Hi Deanne, I know this post is old. I came here via Sandy Coughlin's blog. I look forward to reading your books! Anyway, you asked "What kind of donor are you?" and I had to share. I am a reject donor! I've tried to give so many times, but apparently my blood is iron poor. Even with vitamins and Grape Nuts for breakfast, I just don't have the "mojo" for it! I'm enjoying the blog!