FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Hi Kristi:

I have been giving blood on a regular basis for many years (3-4 times a year) and have never experienced any problems. In our blood banks, you can have a soda, a beer or a small bottle of wine while you rest for 5-10 minutes!

I am first to comment. Oh. I used to love donating blood. So easy, just rest, others do all the work. No pain, just an easy gift to others. Then free cookies and advice to drink water afterward. To me it was effortless charity. When my work place had the donation site, a short break from work.

I miss it now, but a long term illness bars this satisfying donation. Doctors say not good for me, but more to the point, not good for the recipients.

I hope you find it easy and are not barred on account of visiting your mother. Good luck!

Don once was on the 10th floor of an acupuncturist's office, full of needles, when a large earthquake hit LA. He did not know whether to run outdoors in his underwear looking like a porcupine, or die. He chose the latter. Hope this makes you chuckle. It doesn't take long and you will have visited the Ladies' before, right? I'm glad other women think of these possible problems!!!

Hi Kristi,

Be like my husband and pass out as soon as you see the needle. You won't feel a thing :-)

I am sure you are not having the wine, but treat yourself in another way! Focus on the great gift! You are strong!

Drink plenty of water first!!! Should be well hydrated to give blood or have blood taken. If you are quite dehydrated, there might be problems finding a good vein to use. This may result in repeated attempts using the needle to find a "good" vein. This can become quite uncomfortable for the "stickee." I speak from experience. Please remember for the next time! 😁

"What are our fears in comparison?" You said it perfectly. Meanwhile, a distraction: Why do the Christmas lights go out to the bar together? Because when one goes out, they all go out. (Only joke I've been able to remember for more than a few days.) Hang in there!

Hi Kristi,

My husband and I can never give blood in the US because we lived in Europe during the years of Mad Cow and he also served in Iraq so he can never give blood. My son who is in the military can only give blood to other military members.

Maybe this will make your laugh...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBG2Tfx68V0

I have given blood numerous times here in Connecticut and used to work at the blood bank when I was in High School. At that time we had thermometers with mercury in them. I had a hand full of them and was shaking them down when one flew out of my hand and the mercury went rolling along the floor. I scooped it up and threw it away. We didn't know how dangerous it was.
I gave blood in Germany back in 1979. We was visiting a friend and she was going to give blood and I said that I would also. Well you have to go visit a doctor first and he would ask you questions. (Now realize that I don't speak German except for a few words). I thought that we were suppose to take our shirts and bras off and then go see the doctor. Well, I sat there holding my blouse in front of me answering questions. Very embarrassed. He asked many questions in English, one of which was how many beers have you had today. Well wanting to show off my ability to say a few words in German, I said "nine " meaning none. He looked at me in shock and I blurted out...no I mean none...none.
Well I finally got dressed, put on my little booties over my shoes, the net over my hair and got in line to donate. I was lucky and had a nurse who spoke English and it was a goood time. Afterwards we got these bags of all sorts of goodies, cheese crackers, processed meat and other food. I took an extra because we were leaving Germany and it would be food for the train. Afterwards we weknt out and I had a beer or two.
So it isn't so bad. The nurses are usually fun to talk with . Now at blood drives in Connecticut, depending on were you give, depends on what you get to eat....cookies or bags of pretzels or little sandwiches.
Bon chance.
Kathleen

It is important to drink water. It can prevent any feelings of dizziness plus your body needs extra fluid so it can quickly replenish the blood that you will donate!

This is not to alarm you, just to caution you. DO NOT EXERCISE soon after giving blood! The last time I gave blood I walked 7 blocks afterward to have lunch with a friend. All went well until coffee after lunch and I ended up on the floor of the cafe with firemen hovering over me. I had passed out!!! Off to the emergency room I was taken. It must have been a slow day as they gave me every test imaginable to make sure I was okay. My story of walking 7 blocks after giving blood was not good enough. Needless to say I was perfectly fine! Remember, do not exercise after giving blood. Treat yourself to rest and relaxation!!

Kristen

I had a needle phobia for many years. As a child, when I had to give blood for a test, I tended to pass out about half the time. I was able to handle blood tests as an adult without that...but I was very uncomfortable. I wanted to want to give blood...and there was no way I was going to do it.

I talked to a friend and he recommended I see an NLP Practitioner for a cure to the needle phobia. I did. A few days later, I went with my friend to give blood for the first time in my life. It wasn't my idea of a fun Friday afternoon , and I did it and I was OK. Since then (about 25 years ago), I've not had a problem.

FWIW, I always knew exactly what I was afraid of as well as that what I feared couldn't happen...but "knowing" that made no difference.

All the best with your blood test. I hope you get to do it. It's quite something to be able to do.

One of my all time favorite songs just happens to be a little ditty from 1947 about giving blood. It's from a children's album entitiled "Big Songs on Little Subjects". Link is below. Enjoy! and have fun donating. I used to donate, but now I live in a place where Lyme disease is so prevalent we're not allowed to!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twZKFn4_6N0

I am biggest chicken in the world when it comes to needles but when I think about those needing blood I am happy to donate. You will be too. It is easy to give needing it is the most difficult situation. You set an excellent example.

One of the things I'm most proud of is donating blood a minimum of three times a year. If you are able (travel, iron, etc. - I do drink a lot of water prior, helps body with recovery from the loss of your own blood), I'm certain you'll also be proud! And, I want my next donation to be in Copenhagen... soda, beer, wine... three things I've never been offered here in Phoenix!

I hope you get to donate, Kristi! I've been a blood donor for about 20 years and find it an easy way to do something worthwhile that doesn't even cost me anything. I started donating on a regular basis when I was told I'm a baby donor, which means my blood is suitable for transfusion to babies because I have O neg blood and am CMV (cytomegalo virus) negative. My iron is low, so I take iron pills for a couple of weeks before giving and eat liver and spinach the night before. My husband, Tom, can always tell when I have an appointment at the blood bank by our dinner fare! Another plus--I've had issues on occasion with feeling like I might black out several hours after donating, so now I play the lady of leisure, recline on the sofa and have Tom pick up a pizza. Works for me! They don't give me wine, though. I'll have to mention that next time I'm at the blood bank.

I just learned after so many years on this earth and just giving blood for an annual check up that one needs to drink water so your veins are plump and ready to go!!! I wish Dr.'s office would let people know this beforehand!!!
XX Mary Murray...a Sun Valley pal of your Dad and Marsha's!!!

It's a wonderful thing to do. Blood is Life! (and it's a beautiful color) So honor that amazing merlot liquid that courses through our veins, and gift it to another who needs it. Then eat cookies and celebrate. I'm working on my 20th gallon.... Deep breaths. And thanks for us all.

I donate blood regularly and I'm on the bone marrow donor list as well. If my kids ever needed a blood transfusion or a bone marrow transplant, I would just take it for granted that there would be one out there for them. What right to I have to assume that if I'm not donating?

Drink plenty of water for 24 hours beforehand. As Mary says, it plumps up your veins. Otherwise the flow is sluggish and sometimes the donation cannot be finished. Avoid medications such as aspirin for a day or two before, although vitamins are OK.

The first time I donated blood was in college. I was nervous so I deliberately looked away while the nurse was inserting the needle. Once I was done I was relieved to see that I came through with flying colors. No fainting no whimpering...BUT the nurse told me that some of the burly football players were not as tough! I was so surprised.
Thanks again for your wonderful, entertaining, thoughtful blog.

Bonjour, Kristi, Here in Monterey, California, they give certificates and pretty little donor pins which have a white circle with a Red Cross in the center when you donate blood. I got one in 2014 when I had donated 3 gallons. They also advise resting for 24 hours after donating, increasing fluid intake, no heights, caution when consuming alcohol, and California law requires a donor to remain in the donor area for 15 minutes after giving blood. I have not donated recently, but I recall being offered juice and a large piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting after donating. Hmm, maybe it is time to return, although, like you, I've traveled a lot in 2016 os we'll have to see. Bon chance!

Our dear Kristi,
Remember that David Bowie song about being a hero if just for one day?
Well,you are our hero every day,(!)but today you both are especially so!
Thank you for wanting to give such a precious gift!
Love
Natalia. Xo

I go to give blood every time they call but I have only been successful once. Something always seems to go wrong.The last time my blood count was too low. But I will keep trying. Good luck to you.

Years ago our church used to give blood regularly on Good Friday. So one year, I was lying next to a friend and we each commented to the nurses that once the successfully found a vein, our blood would come pretty fast. After that, were having a 'race' to see who would fill their blood bag first. I won!

I used to give blood regularly, but then became too marginally anemic to do so. I should try again now that the anemia is gone.

I have given gallons of blood over the last 40 years in the US so I was eager to make a contribution to the French blood bank after arriving in Saint Malo four years ago. Giving blood is way more fun in France and here they are always looking for donors, after completing the initial questionnaire which was more inclusive than the screening in the US, they give everyone a bottle of water while waiting for a free table. The process is efficient and fast and he wonderful nurses monitor your progress through- out.
Afterwards it's like a huge party, des sandwichs jambon fromage, galettes, chocolat, jus du fruit, coke, et un grand choix de buissons du café et du thé. Et comme d'habitude everyone sits around and visits.
In the US I was in and out in 1/2 hour with juice and a cookie. Here, I budget and hour or more simply for the ambiance.

I tried to give blood in France a few years ago, when my wife and I were staying in a small town in Provence. I didn’t speak French very well at the time.

The blood center was in a large hall near the mayor’s office. First, all the donors sat around a big table and filled out a long form (how the French love their paperwork!) Then one by one we were called into a small room in the back. I watched my fellow donors go into the room, spend a few minutes there, and then go to the donor station. Hm, I wondered, what’s going on in that room?

When my turn came I found a doctor in the room, looking at my paperwork. He gestured for me to sit down and started asking questions. I learned later that this private interview is required by law, to make sure you have not been participating in risky behavior (sharing needles, unprotected sex, etc.) During the AIDS crisis, tainted blood had gotten into the French blood supply and people had died. Now the French are extra careful.

The doctor spoke quickly and had a thick Provençal accent so I couldn’t understand his questions. After a few minutes he shook his head, wrote a note on my file and said I could leave. I knew enough French to ask, “I’m not going to be able to give blood, am I?” “No,” he said, “your French isn’t good enough for the interview.”

My blood was rejected due to insufficient command of the French language! That’s got to be a first.

And as I walked out of the hall without giving blood, I could tell that everyone was looking at me, thinking “I wonder that the heck that guy’s been up to.”

We (my husband myself and two children) are not allowed to give blood here in Australia, because we lived in England in the 1980s when 'Mad Cow Disease' was around and they are worried we will pass on CJD (Creuzfeldt Jacob Disease). I am sure if we had it, it would have manifest by now! I used to give blood before then (and just after I returned to live in Australia before they banned me! I would love to donate and help others.

Drink plenty of water so it's easier for them to find a good vein.
Run around the block beforehand, or do something to get your body pumping blood so that it is a quicker process.
Good luck!

Since we lived in Germany between 1984 and 1987, no one in my immediate family has been able to donate blood. This has upset me as I have an O negative blood type, often referred to as the universal blood type. A lost opportunity to help others...

P.S. It was because of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April of 1986. We were told not to eat beef raised in Europe at that time...

Lisa, Yes, it is because of the Mad Cow thing. Me too! I ate smuggled English beef at a house party in Greece in the late 90's. Also if you were ill in any third worl countries they will turn you away as well.

Bonjour Kristi, Thank you for sharing your life with us and now your "sang". You will see that it only takes 15 minutes to donate and save lives.I am old, 4'11"and have donated about every 8 weeks for decades. I have to stay healthy and in shape. I cannot donate for a year after visiting certain countries and if I don't make an appointment I get called by La Croix Rouge because I have O+ universal donor blood. Do yoga breathing and think of the children you can help. C'est le meilleur cadeau de Noël!

I gave blood a few times a year for over 40 years. In spring 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and radiation, though no chemo. So no donations during that period. I've now passed the five-year mark, which is often considered the "survival" marker. I am planning to get in touch with the Red Cross, which used to call me all the time, to see if I am eligible to give again. If not blood, maybe platelets. There is a crying need for blood, especially around holidays when people travel and there are more accidents. We'll see if they'll take me. If they can't use my donation for people, maybe the occasional pint could be used for research.

I have a couple of words of advice.

Re "exercising" beforehand: I recommend not getting too active. My temperature was always taken before a donation, and if it was even slightly above 98.6, it would be taken again. If it couldn't get below, say, 99, I would be unable to donate - and particularly in warm weather, one can be healthy but still have a temperature a tad above normal.

Also, I highly recommend not rushing the donation. I gave quickly a few times, and nearly fainted afterwards. So I started squeezing the ball (which helps squirt the blood into the collection bag) more slowly, and deliberately stayed prone for a few minutes after the bag was full. I made my way slowly to the snack table afterwards, and took my time eating a cookie with juice. Everyone's body is unique, but there is nothing to be gained by dashing through the experience, and you will be in better shape if you don't hurry.

Yes, give blood. Think of the person who will benefit from the blood and how important it will be to them. Yes, drink the water and visit the Ladies just before donating. Your blood will be quickly be replaced by your own body. I know you will do just fine.
Jane, RN