I've always wanted to donate blood. This "want" started way back in my uni days but my fear of injections (and procrastination) set me back from doing it. However... I finally called up the Blood Donor Centre about two weeks ago and booked an appointment.
It was nerve wrecking! As soon as I saw the little gadget that was going to poke a needle in my finger to check my blood, I freaked!
What a prick! Literally! I was so glad when it was over but it had only just begun!
The girl decided to switch from my right arm to my left. Wha... what was happening? Then, I saw the needle! It was MASSIVE! I thought that I'd be clever and watch the needle get injected into my skin but as soon as I saw how thick it was, I had to turn my head away.
At one point, the blood flow was low and the machine started to beep. Waa, I swear, I was so afraid that they'd have to pull the needle out and find another vein to poke it in. But thankfully, all I had to do was squeeze the stress ball.
It was such a bizarre experience. I could feel the warmth of my blood flowing through the tube that was resting against my wrist and I swear, if I were a fainting type of person, I would have probably fainted from seeing the blood slowly building up in the bags.
I found out later that it was because the lady had poked the needle in at a high angle which caused added pressure against my skin. I was so close to pulling the needle out because it was giving me such discomfort but I pictured this very ugly bloody scene similar that of Quentin Terentino's movies and resisted.
By the end of it, I was so nervous that I could barely breathe properly. I went to get some food and when I finally sat down and my breathing slowly stabilised, I saw this...
That made me feel better. It placed everything back in perspective. It reminded me that donating blood was for a good cause. And I did my part however minimal it might have been. As to whether I will donate blood again? I believe that I will... when I am ready.
Or maybe I'm just paranoid.
