Blood donation

I did it!!

I finally was able to donate blood. After being deferred many times as a high school kid, I gave up for years. Then I tried again in the fall and was deferred again because I didn’t have enough iron in my blood.

But deferred no more, I am officially a blood donor. It was easy, relatively painless, and I got a cookie and juice box at the end.

The staff treated me so well, and because it was my first time, they were really patient with me explaining what happened next and answering any questions.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to donate as often as the system allows, but I will try again!

This helps me to complete another of my 101 in 1001 – one of the goals that is for someone else. 🙂

In case it wasn’t clear I am super excited and happy about this!

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Blood Donor attempt 1: Fail

I psyched myself up for giving blood today. Ate well, hydrated properly, swallowed all my nervousness and made it to my appointment early.

Didn’t get much past this step

Got up to the first screening session, wearing my ‘I’m a first time donor’ sticker, had my finger poked and waited to see the number 130 pop up on the machine that tests for iron.

I would have been okay with 126, as 125 is a pass, but my bet was 130 – I was at 132 a month ago when I had my blood taken.

121.

I failed.

I didn’t even make it past the first screening point – it’s like failing a test you didn’t know was coming, so you couldn’t study for…

With a number that low, I’m on my way to anemic, which I guess explains why I’m tired all the time.

So, in 56 days I am eligible once again to try to donate blood.

In the meantime I’ll be eating liver, wrapped in spinach cooked in a cast iron frying pan with a side of raisins (or maybe I’ll head to my doctor to get supplements).

Anybody have suggestions for food (preferably vegetarian food) that’s high in iron?

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