don't want your broken parts

[pensnest]

Turns out, I can't give blood.

Beast and I went along to donate yesterday. I was in effect doing this for the first time - I did attempt to donate blood many years ago, when they weren't able to get a proper bag out of me, and I went to the clinic earlier this year but found that because there had been a recent switch in my medication, I wasn't yet eligible.

Well, I went through my medical history with the nurse checking through the form, and was cleared to go. Sat in the chair and the guy who came to stick the needle in had a look at my left arm, which is as white and pallid and unveiny as a fish's belly. I wasn't surprised, and told him that the diabetes nurse generally takes the blood samples from my right arm. Well, it turned out that the visible vein in the right arm was too small. Not a drop to be got. In the circumstances, it seems like a waste of everybody's time for me to try again.

Sadly, Beast's donation did not work either - probably the needle was not well positioned, because after half a bagful, it stopped.

It's disappointing. I was quite looking forward to doing a good and useful thing that cost me no more than time, and to be unable to donate was a real shame.

Comments

[twistedchick]

I can't give blood either; I have too many allergies to meds.

[pensnest]

I wouldn't have been surprised if I had medical reasons for being unable to donate - I take several regular medications - but to jump through all the hoops and then not be able to donate because they couldn't find a decent vein somehow annoys me!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I understand. I can't give blood either because my mother died of CJD. It's frustrating when those campaigns come round and the blood mobiles and you have to walk by.

[pensnest]

That sounds very horrible indeed for you, and I'm so sorry.

[frausorge]

Oh, how frustrating!

[pensnest]

It was! It took *ages* to get through the forms....

[yarnofariadne]

I can't give blood either; I'm sorry, I know how frustrating that is. ♥

[pensnest]

It *is* frustrating! I have been deprived of an opportunity to do good!

[corvidology]

I can't give blood in the US cos Mad Cow Disease in the UK, blah, blah, blah... it's bloody ridiculous.

Particularly ridiculous as they also 'court' me for blood donations all the time as I have a rare(r) blood group in the US based on when I used to be able to give blood here.

[pensnest]

Argh. One good thing about the process was that the system here is being revised so that some previously blanket-banned people can now donate, provided they meet various more specific criteria.

[turps]

That's such a shame you can't give.

What happened to Beast is what happened to me last time, and they've been hounding me these last few weeks to make a new appointment. Which I will do, I just don't know when yet.

[pensnest]

He said it happens once in a while, if they don't get the needle in a good position. Given that he looks like a road map, I don't see why they can't get a nice vein! But you have a lot going on in your life right now, take your time!