Bad Blood

Okay, I’ll admit it, I am weird. I love donating blood! I don’t know why, but I have always enjoyed it. It’s something that is generally really easy for me. I don’t faint, turn green, have problems with veins, nothing. I like to see how fast I can give (I usually clock in around 6 minutes) and after all the fun they give you food! I love feeling like I am doing something that helps people, even if I never know about it. I try and give blood as often as possible.

For a year and a half before I went on my mission I couldn’t give blood (first because I had been in China, and then because of all the shots I had to get to go to Brazil) so it has been a long time since I have donated. Yesterday the institute was having a blood drive, so I decided to donate for the first time in almost three years.

It all started out like normal. I filled out the paper, read the book, and waited in line for the little interview. It took forever to figure out if I had been in the part of Brazil that makes it so you can’t give blood for a year (which I hadn’t), then they did the worst part- the finger prick. OUCH! They had to test my iron twice, but in the end it was fine.

Then the last, and simplest, procedure: Checking blood pressure. The lady checked it once and got a funny look on her face and said she wanted to check it again. I told her that my blood pressure is usually pretty low, and the second time confirmed it. My blood pressure was a whopping 88/64 (though she wasn’t sure on the 64, she couldn’t really find it well). For me, this is pretty normal and does not cause problems, however she told me that to give blood you have to have the top number at least above 90. GRRRR. All that for nothing. Even the finger prick. So, so sad.

She was kind, however, and told me to make sure I took a snack before I left. Which I did.

My dad told me that next time I need to do jumping jacks before I go in. I think I will try it!