Slightly off-topic (blood donation fears)

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• January 6, 2005 at 3:01 pm #2794
  Carrie

  Member

  Okay, I feel prompted to donate blood because of dad and the tsunami tragedy. So, I signed up for my company’s blood drive tomorrow. I’m O+ so I know that my blood is in high demand. However, I’m a HUGE wimp and I’ve only donated 3 times:

  1st time: I passed out
  2nd time: I knew I might pass out and told them. They kept me laying down the whole time but I was still woozy.
  3rd time: I was woozy and panicky but a wonderful lady who was donating platelets kept me talking the whole time and distracted me.

  This time I’m scared and my heart races just thinking about it. What suggestions do you have to help me get past this fear? I don’t want to completely wimp out!!!

  I know you guys can give me motivation and that will help but does anyone have any other ideas??

  What should I eat for dinner? I’m taking iron supplements and ate cream of wheat for breakfast .

  Thanks for listening….
  Carrie

  January 6, 2005 at 4:00 pm #2795
  paml

  Member

  Carrie,
  Everyone has their own way of calming themselves. I think that if you have a plan before the dreaded event (whatever it maybe) that it makes the event easier to work through.

  Here are a few suggestions,
  ·Practice any relaxation breathing techniques.
  ·Sounds corny, but if you can relax into a place or location, i.e., the beach, this may lower your anxiety.
  ·Listen to your favorite music.
  ·Think of all the people that you’re assisting by your very generous gift. Many of us on this Forum have had to rely on people like you who have stepped up to share.

  I applaud your bravery and thank you for your gifts of time and blood.

  Best Regards,
  Pam L.
  (Transfused 9 total units since 1987)
  p.s. As a precaution, make sure they lay you down this time as well.

  January 6, 2005 at 4:16 pm #2796
  shirlsgirl

  Member

  Hi Carrie,

  Pam has some great advice, I can’t think of anything to add…except you’re awesome! “You go girl!”

  January 6, 2005 at 4:30 pm #2797
  Carrie

  Member

  Thanks, guys (no offense to the women, I’m from New York, ya know)!

  I’ll breathe deep and find a quiet place in my head. I’ll think of it as a nice little nap during work . Maybe I should bring a rug. I know I’ll get cookies after!

  January 6, 2005 at 4:39 pm #2798
  shirlsgirl

  Member

  definately get the cookies, you’ll deserve a sweet treat! Good luck!

  January 6, 2005 at 8:15 pm #2799
  czaring

  Member

  Good luck! You’re not alone …. I just did it a couple of weeks ago …. same motivation. I’d been turned away for a few years due to my own anemia!! But mine was solved by a hysterectomy (sorry “guys”) Now my blood is healthy and strong and I’d meant to be giving again. Mom’s dx made me follow through. Want to get on BM donor registry next! CARRIE!! YOU CAN DO IT! BE STRONG …. BREATH SLOW & SURE. SPEAK OF YOUR INNER STRENGTH IN YOUR HEAD. You’re not alone & YOU CAN DO IT!

  January 6, 2005 at 9:24 pm #2800
  Terri

  Member

  Don;t Look while they are sticking you, and just keep your looking forward. And think of all the good you are doing. I try to donate as much as possible. the Blood mobile stops at our church rather frequently.

  Make sure you eat before you go

  January 6, 2005 at 10:19 pm #2801
  Carrie

  Member

  Thanks, Terri! I won’t look at all. The sticking and the blood filling the bag is the worst part.

  I’ll let you all know how it goes. I’m going for a steak meal tonight. I hope it’s what I need .

  January 6, 2005 at 10:34 pm #2802
  eve

  Member

  carrie i am so proud of you and anyone else who can donate blood – i have a needle phobia -even tried hypnosis – didn’t work

  i am offering a generous reward to anyone who can make me get over the fear (it is not the pain of the needle – it is just the thought – makes me crazy) – it almost sounds insane for a well educated, otherwise rational adult who has given birth to 2 children to get so terribly worked up about getting a shot – but i guess that’s what phobias are all about – there is really no rational reason for the fear

  eve

  January 6, 2005 at 11:53 pm #2803
  Naomi

  Member

  Hi Carrie:
  I am donating 400cc of blood every two weeks. It is then being thrown away. Sort of sad when the need is so great.
  I had 50 txs (2 units each) prior to revlimid, but now my crit is high enough to take the blood from me. The doc is trying to get my ferritin level down. It was at 3609 a week ago. It is coming down slowly.
  Keep the good thoughts in your head and you will come through it fine. Good Luck
  Naomi
  

  January 7, 2005 at 12:11 am #2804
  Neil

  Member

  Hi Carrie,
  That is great. It can be difficult.
  When ever I learn some one is a blood donor I thank them and make sure they know how much their efforts are appreciated. Have urged all of my family to donate blood and register as marrow donors. A couple of years ago when asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told them the best gift they could give was to become a bone marrow donor. There may be some one out there they could match up with.
  As an aside, my mom (93 yrs old) went into the hospital yesterday. HGB was 5.7. She had 3 units of packed red cells. Today HGB is 11.9. Not sure why her counts are low. She does not have MDS.
  Thanks very much Carrie.

  January 7, 2005 at 3:34 am #2805
  shirlsgirl

  Member

  Neil, I’m sorry about your mom! She must have felt awfully tired with a HGB so low. How is her appetite? I hope she feels better soon! Jody

  January 7, 2005 at 3:38 am #2806
  eve

  Member

  neil

  hope your mom is feeling better and home real soon – did they check for any internal bleeding

  eve

  January 7, 2005 at 3:59 am #2807
  PAG2005

  Member

  Hi Carrie,

  I have the same problem. I passed out the first time I gave blood. I was very anxious and thought I was fine and then I felt woozy and next thing I know they were waking me up.. I can’t look at the blood or needles. I always tell the technician that I have fainted before so they are aware. They usually have me lay down too.. just in case.. Since then I haven’t been as anxious and I have never fainted again. I do get a little light headed. Let them know you can’t look at the needle or blood and they will keep them out of sight.. I just had to get HLA typed for my mom and I did fine.. I’m sure you will do fine too.. Try to focus on something in the room to keep your mind off what is actually going on.. Count backwards.. do anything to keep your mind off what’s going on. Good luck and I’m sure you will do fine. Pat

  January 7, 2005 at 4:09 am #2808
  sarah

  Member

  Carrie, Best of luck tomorrow, you will do just fine. We will all be thinking of you!
  Sarah

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