I returned to the Valley from a hospital in the city this afternoon, a bit dizzy (after getting up from the long drive), but otherwise happy.
When a friend from the city told me we could give blood together and then go out for lunch, I told him that would be just fine.
It was good I left an hour and a half before our 10 a.m. appointment. We arrived at almost the same time, filled out our forms, got our blood tested, and then reclined for the phlebotomist to draw our blood. Of course, my first question was, “How long will it take to fill up my pint bag?” “About 10 minutes,” he said. It was true. While “recuperating,” I glanced over at the next recliner and saw my friend still attached to his tubing.
Thirty minutes later, after I had asked the nurse six more questions, and consumed 17 cookies and 4 cups of grape-cranberry juice, he still was attached. My next question was, “Why is he still attached?” The nurse explained about his giving only red blood cells, and about the time it takes for the other parts of the blood to be separated and go back into his veins (arteries?).
In another fifteen minutes, my friend came strolling over to the food room and announced he was ready to go. No cookies, thank you.
What a trooper he was, I thought. Then I realized I was not only a bit “sensitive,” I also suffered from low blood pressure. I usually have to get out of my car very slowly to give my oxygen-filled blood time to reach my brain. I figured that with a pint less blood, it took even longer for that oxygen I need to get to my head.
We went out to lunch. Following some dizziness after leaving the car, I seemed fine. I drove home, VERY slowly got out of my car, rested and drank.
I hadn’t given blood for a few years. I forgot I am not a kid these days. Certainly I need to think about my body’s limitations. I can behave like a kid in many other ways, though. I enjoy talking to others and asking lots of questions.
My pint-sized lesson today is: I am a trooper – but an older and, hopefully, wiser one.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com.
