Thursday, August 16, 2007

saving a life.....again

yesterday afternoon i made my second donation to the blood service. it was a bit easier (and faster) than the first time. i think the worst part of the whole thing is getting my finger pricked to test my hemoglobin levels before i can donate-- that finger is still sore but my arm is fine. i'm glad i worked the morning yesterday instead of the afternoon (the bourke st. donation centre started opening late on tues and wed so i could make an afternoon appointment). when i asked people how yesterday afternoon went they just kept talking about kids running everywhere and getting picked up at 6pm on the dot (technically they're supposed to be gone by 5:55 but we've got a couple parents that come in at 6--or later--or come at 5:50 but wanna stay and talk about their lives for 10 min while their children mess up everything we've just packed up for the nite). i guess that's a small benefit of donating blood-- its an excuse to not have to deal with that for an afternoon. the donating is easy-- hop on a tram for 15 min (i could bike but i'm a little scared to bike home after just cuz i do have a tendency to pass out for no reason and lacking blood/fluids would probably make it more likely), fill out a questionnaire at the donation centre, have a quick interview with a nurse about my answers on the questionnaire (to make sure i'm eligible and it's safe for me to donate) and have my blood pressure and hemoglobin tested, hop in a chair, pull out a book, sit back and relax while they poke a needle in and turn on the machine. when its finished (about 10-15 min i guess) i get down, go to the snack bar and relax with a couple glasses of juice and a muffin before heading off.


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