Give Me Blood

Today's highlight was my trip to the blood donation centre.

there was a secret battle in my head: fear vs saving someone's life

of course i wanted to save someone's life, so it didn't take long for that fight to be over.
I kept trying to blot out the image of a fat needle in me my whole way there.
even while waiting, i tried to sing 'bout happy songs.

"yes your blood isn't short of Iron so whatever you're eating, keep it goin'..."

i smiled to myself, knowing my efforts to eat good have paid off.
Waiting wasn't as bad as it could have been, but before i knew it...

"Jemima Wei?"

Since it was my first time, my nurse had to finish with her other patient instead of watching us both at the same time.
More waiting, that could have possibly turned into me freakin' outt.
Finally, she turned and attended to me.
An indian lady called Bob. (that's what her name tag said man!)

Pressing my left arm, looking into the air, she tried looking for a vein.
There was no sign of any, apparently they were too deep.
I figured that was ultimately a good thing, because i had less chance of huge blood loss if i was ever in an accident that cut me somewhere on my left arm.
Swapping to the right arm, a vein was found!
She cleaned the area and kept telling me every move she was making.

"ok the needle is coming...
...don't worry it'll only feel like a deep scratch
...ok scratch coming now."
when all i could think was "just get on with it woman!"

the few seconds before insertion were the most scary because i was waiting to cringe.
then when i felt it, it wasn't so bad.
and she kept asking me how it felt.
In the few minutes the needle was in me, i...

felt a strange warmth
felt an ache
looked at the needle and exclaimed "woh thats big!"
felt pain while she fiddled with it
got smiled at
laughed
made a pumping action with my hand
got apologised to.

Sadly, my blood was "too slow" and they couldn't take it.
when i asked "is it because my heart is weak?"
she laughed and said "nooo no."
Apparently, it was none of my fault and nothing i could do about it.
I only managed to supply enough blood to save a hamster, they said.
Possible reasons: Too petite and feeling too cold.
I was told they had more trouble during the winter.

My effort ended in vain, but i told myself "at least you tried."
excitedly ringing my parents to tell them of my first blood donation experience, i get a good telling off from my mum not to donate blood in UK, only Singapore because it's completely safe.

*blank face