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Monday, October 05, 2009
Blood donation drive

I was at Douby train station with my friend, taking the escalator up the gantry. I somehow had this hinge that blood donation drive was around the corner. This trigger my memory back to two years ago when I was rejected as a blood donor at the same location. As the platform above is within my sight, I peered towards the left, only to be disappointed. It was the usual booth that persuade commuters to apply for a credit card. When I reached the platform, I turned my head towards the right, it was indeed the blood donation drive. It must be fate.

Since I have spare time to kill before my next movie screening with my friend, I decided to give it a shot. This time round it was a chemical test instead of a meter to determine the iron level. I have no idea whether is it the lack of sensitivity of the good old chemical test or the healthier blood count in me, I passed the final test. Soon, I was ushered to this reclined chair and the nurse help me to laid the blanket over my legs. I felt so uncomfortable for his nice gesture as I am not paying for his services. He brief me on what I should do if i encounter any problems thereafter and double check my particulars ending with 'O minus?'. 'No! O pos, isn't it?' I exclaimed. 'I don't know, hang on.' he smiled. Whilst my blood group was being questioned, I wondered if rehesis antigen could really be changed. I began having flash back of my previous laboratory session in tertiary school where we had to do four chemical test to determine our blood group. The results clearly shown that I was rehesis positive. After being check, I was surrounded by nurses while they were being brief that the markings on my paper stands for low iron count and not O negative.

The time had finally came. Firstly, the nurse injected me with a 2mL syringe of painkiller. Ironically, it was the injection of painkiller that was the most painful. It was within the tolerable range, just a little bit more painful than normal injections. Next, I was injected with the real thing. Surprisingly, it does not even feel a tinge. Three 5mL tube were then drawn from my blood bags. Comparing to others, my blood seems to flow much slower . The nurse say it was due to lack of water. At the end when my blood slows down, I began to feel a little bit discomfort from the needles in my arm as I squeeze the stress ball. After dressing up with pink bandage, I had a small refreshment before taking photo to keep memories.

The nurse there are really very professional. Always smiling and always on high alert. There was this nurse that spotted this agitated guy and stop his blood donation process prematurely although he claim he was fine. Another nurse quickly to dress him up, while another recline his chair further. The whole process was light hearted as I know that I am doing a good deed. The small bit of suffering was very worthwhile. I will donate again.

Evidence! I know you can't believe.

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12:30 AM