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.
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