Giving blood

[filkferengi]

Ever since high school, when I gave blood for the first time on a forged permission slip, giving blood has been important to me. After becoming diabetic a couple of years ago, I waited a year to stabilize, before giving blood again. I gave blood 3 times in the last year, each time with a bad reaction. The last time was especially bad, in spite of all my precautions [hitting Waffle House several hours before the appointment, etc.]. On the up side, my hemoglobin that day was 14.5!

Yet, just two months later [November], when I went to donate again, my number was only 12.1. I exclaimed, "Hormones!" [in the same tone in which Cordelia imprecates, "Barrayarans!"] Early this afternoon, during lunch, I got an email about a blood drive today. In spite of the short notice, I was able to get a good lunch, make an appointment, and go give blood. In spite of previous experience, this time things went well. My blood pressure was low, 112/68 with a pulse of 78. Best of all, the hemoglobin was 13.5, much more the thing.

So now, after 3 bad reactions, I've had one donation with no problems. Hopefully, this trend will continue.

Comments

[ndrosen]

Good for you, and I’m glad someone could assure the December blood supply. I’ll try agin next month, I guess.

[filkferengi]

I was able to donate this month, after not being able to donate last month. I know vegetarians can have issues keeping the hemoglobin up. I take iron supplements & have bran flakes most mornings [the brand with 100% daily iron in each coffee cup]. What do you do?

[ndrosen]

These days, I take iron supplements. I used to live my life, and donate blood, without taking iron supplements, figuring that I was okay so long as my iron levels were high enough to let me donate, and that donating would assure that I did not suffer from hematochromatosis in my old age. However, my doctor was worried about my falling iron levels, so I started taking supplements, and that brought my blood iron levels back up.

Except on December 14, for some reason.

[filkferengi]

I'm glad you take care of yourself.

[alatefeline]

Hooray!

[filkferengi]

:)

Even better, the t-shirt fits. I plan to wear it today & see how long it takes spouse to notice.