I had wanted to donate blood for years. I saw churches and other local organizations host drives where a bus parked in the parking lot and droves of people lined up to give. I wanted to be part of those droves of givers, but I was partially talked out of it and partially wondered if my blood was good enough. I have been blessed with much wellness overall, but there are a billion people with more wellness, energy, and overall life force than I have felt I had. I am more of a workout and nap kind of person than a Hanz and Franz, “We are not here to talk – we are here to PUMP YOU UP” kind of person.
But one day I drove by a donation event, really wanted to be a part of it, and decided to attempt it. And it was rather uneventful in the best of ways! Nothing hurt much, I felt a little tired but not in a noteworthy sort of way, and it was nice to make my life useful to someone else’s.
Then I was contacted about donating platelets. My first attempt did not go well. I only lasted 30 minutes of what should routinely go on for 2 hours. I did some Googling of various topics that could have made it so terrible, but at the end of the day I think it was just me. I was well informed of how the procedure would go, but to experience it for the first time was a bit much.
I am lying in a position where I cannot move my arms because they both have needles in them and need to stay put just so, there is a large machine next to me that reminds me of the heater monster from the movie Elf, and I just feel overall funny in a way that makes me wonder if funny is going to turn into very bad. Also, I had read something online that said drinking lots of water was more important than eating and I fasted for most of the morning in favor of becoming a camel, but what I read was not in agreement with the donation center’s advice and probably contributed greatly to feeling uncomfortable.
“It’s something I can do. It’s one of my talents, probably my only talent, is that I can be a blood donor.” – James Harrison, Australia
For over a year, I stick to a 20 minute or so whole blood donation and determine not to ever do that platelet thing again. But then I feel a pull to use my life to try to make someone else’s better in this manner and decide to try again. And thankfully it was nothing like my first experience! I do get antsy at having to lie so still for so long. I like to incorporate meditative/contemplative/quiet times in my life, but two hours of lying still takes some internal doing on my part. I start to get a little chilly and achy and it is one of those times where not being allowed to move just makes me want to move all the more. But I tell myself that this is nothing compared to what someone else who needs these platelets is going through and when the staff members administering the donation start talking Canadian comedians with me it is a joy. The thought of John Candy’s work instantly lifts my spirits and it is fun to connect with others about the impact of comedy.
“As long as you can savor the humorous aspect of misery and misfortune, you can overcome anything.” – John Candy
In summary, I learned that it was worth it to make an attempt at doing something I was drawn to do and that even if a first experience is not exactly the best, it does not condemn future experiences from being far better. If you are scared and something does not go well the first time, you can still get this.
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