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| Interesting week |
| Sunday, February 01, 2009 |
It was a happening week last week to my standards. When weeks are just a blur of work, workouts, cooking, making one wish that they were back in college when life was sooo happening, even a single tiny small incident is enough to make one feel that life is happening.
Anyway to cut to the story, I was browsing the intranet to look for Community activities that I can do, last weekend. The Blood Drive that happens every two months, that I have never paid much attention to, caught my eye. Only because DH mentioned it and said he might go for it, and ultimately ended up missing it. But I like a good girl, had it blocked in my calendar. 11:45 to 11:50 on Wednesday afternoon. 5mins, ya right. I did read Archana's account on Reverse Dracula, and DH said he has given once in college. Since both were alive and well, I figured I would be okay too. Else I generally read up a lot before doing something.
Wednesday morning turned out to be hectic, but still 11:30 saw me walking down to the parking lot where the bus was, inside which they had beds and nurses and all the paraphernalia needed for the blood drive. I say I have a 11:45 appointment, and they shoo me back saying, if its my first time, I should have lunch, rest for 30 mins and then come. So I go to lunch with colleagues, have salad from the cafeteria. I go back upstairs, talk to Boss about some things and then walk back down at around 1.
I am asked to fill a bunch of forms with really weird questions. I thought having been to Israel last year might disqualify me, but it didnt. A friend from my team also came at the same time, we did the formalities back to back. The nurse drew some blood to see if I had enough blood cell count to give blood. I did.
Then myself and friend lay down on opposite beds ended up talking about various things. They start her off first. I saw blood been drawn from her hand and going through the tubes into the little pounch on the weighing scale. I didnt feel anything, I was just a little scared. Having watched House for so long, and being a fan of the series, it is only imperative that all kinds of medical fiascos come to my head seeing the blood.
As I have said earlier, it is difficult to find veins in my inner elbow. I am fat that way. The nurse was able to find something on the left instead of the right, which meant I had to wait for the friend to get done, so I can shift to her bed. She was done, and left, it was about 1:45 already. I switched beds. Closed my eyes while the nurse put the needle in me. I did see the blood, my blood, through the tubes, and craned my neck to see the little pouch. I looked out the window. It was getting later than I had thought. I browse on my iPhone. Nothing interesting. I am finally done around 2:15 I think. The nurse kept asking me if I was feeling okay. I am like, pfftt what ever could happen? I have generally been a tough kid, healthy in all respects. Touchwood, till date I dont know how fever feels like. I have never taken days off at school or work, because of fever.
I drink a bottle of water, and take an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie packet. I sat for 5 mins instead of 10. I walked back eating the cookie and didnt feel a thing. Seriously what was the big deal? I go to my cube and I thought I should read up on how to get back to being healthy after blood donation. I read, you might feel faint or dizzy after giving blood. Pffft. Thats for losers. I have never fainted ever in my life. Fainting is for the faint, literally. I also read that I should drink lot of fluids. I see my water bottle, it is empty. So I get up to fill my water bottle at the fountain.
I stand there at the fountain, with my head bent down, when things started happening. I was feeling dizzy. I realized it was from giving blood. I keep the bottle down and hold the fountain with both hands, and wait for the dizziness to pass. The next thing I know, a colleagues is yelling 'SK wake up!'. I am on the floor, with my bottle also with the water spilled. I feel terribly weak. I mumble something about giving blood. But I have NO strength. I wanted to lean on something. I gather energy to lean on the walls. Thats not it. I felt like puking. By now another girl had come, and she helped me into the restroom. I stand at the sink and all my salad comes out. Then I dont remember, if I sat down or fell down, on the restroom floor. I see a blur of people coming in, talking something, going back. I just wanted to lie down there. I actually did, on the restroom floor. I just wanted to sleep. Then my friend comes in. I get some Orange Juice. I felt a little better. Sugar does wonders doesnt it. I gather my energy and get up. Friends talk about taking me back home, and I nod. Boss comes and asks me to go home, take rest. Two of them come with me, friend drives my car. I have energy from the juice and the left over cookie. Wednesday evening was a blur, of eating sugary stuff, drinking water and sleeping.
So yes, it was a happening week, with everyone on the floor asking me how I was doing the next couple of days, and trying to get work done while having a light head.
And this weekend I am in the middle of enjoying all the pampering DH is subjecting me to. He even forced me to eat Cold Stone icecream, under the pretext that I am weak and I need sugar. I do feel dizzy at times, when I make sudden movements. But it could be because I started working out before the said 72hrs was up after donating blood.
Its a gorgeous weekend here, we went biking along the river, it was cold, and it was warm, it was a perfect 65F. We saw so many bikers and hikers, we must have biked about 12-15miles roundtrip. DH said my stamina has increased considerably. I am happy.
Have a great rest of the weekend and a great week friends! |
posted by SK @ 7:31 AM  |
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| 7 Comments: |
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Iduku daan. You shouldnt go around being nice and noble.
And fainting is happening by ALL standards:)
I also tried giving blood. They shooed me away saying I had visited India < 5 years.
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Have always wanted to, but never have done it yet..
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Ayyo, you should take care! And I dunno I have never fainted after giving blood. I did not know about this 72 hour rule :O
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Ram
lol! :--)
Yes, you cant give if u have been to India, I havent in more than 3 yrs :--((
Lonestar,
Heheh it said in these tough times, this is a charity we can afford ;--)
Nandini,
I am doing good now! Ya, the 72hr thing, the nurse only said, illana how would I know? Btw how is prep coming along?
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Enna SK, world record vittuta!
No fever ever :O Touchwood only!
I have also donated in college. Don't they thrust you with a tropicana and biscuit packet here? They did in my college. I am sure nothing would have happened in that case!
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Interesting account!Glad you are ok now!I have never tried to donate blood coz I don't believe I am healthy or strong enough for that. U r brave!
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Adi,
We are not kids here you see, ;--D, they just had all the stuff, we were allowed to pick what we wanted. Me being diet conscious did what I did. ;--)
Anamika,
This was my first time too! I want to do it again, but DH says he will not let me. It is a good thing to do, for others and for ourselves too. I guess you have to be of a certain weight to be able to give, and have certain blood platelet count.
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Iduku daan. You shouldnt go around being nice and noble.
And fainting is happening by ALL standards:)
I also tried giving blood. They shooed me away saying I had visited India < 5 years.