2010-Jun.13 Donating Sunday

***pic on right - - That bag has plasma with the platelets in it. Platelets won't stick together in the plasma and they are "cloudy" to look at.

I drove into town to the Blood Bank this morning to donate platelets again. You know you can give platelets very often (like every 3 days), but blood only every 8 weeks. But giving platelets takes about 3 hours - start to finish - signing up, the stick and your finished - 3 hours. Today, it was 8:30 am when I got there and we were leaving at 11 am. - about 2 1/2 hours.

Today while I was giving - the machine locked up and I wasn't able to get my red blood cells back. The nurse said I can't give blood now for 8 weeks. The Health Dept. is having their blood drive next week and now I can't donate for that. Now I guess I will wait and see when the blood bank calls again to know exactly when I am good to go again.

John Thomas worked today, so Johnny hitched a ride in with him and came up to the Blood Bank so that he could drive me home. I felt okay and I could've drove home, but I am glad Johnny came in to get me. My arm was really sore today for some reason and I left with an ice pack on my arm. She also gave Johnny a bag filled with extra ice packs in case I needed them. That was so nice of her. I brought the movie "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin to watch. No one else was there so she put it on the big screen. When it got to the really "good part" you know, when Alec Baldwin undresses on the computer is on and Steve Martin is on his computer (him & Meryl were video talking) and Steve gets an eye full - if you know what I mean. Well, right before that part, another donor came in, we were all "cackling" with laughter. Too Funny. When we got home and Johnny and I watched it. Now time to return it to Red Box.

2010-May 30 After Party "party"

NOT!

I went to give platelets. This is when they stick you only one time - the blood goes out, they take out your platelets-then you get your whole blood back-all with the same needle stick. The process takes about 3 hours from start to finish. I watched a movie - "Twister" - and still it took a little longer. You can give platelets every 3 days. Whole blood you can give every 8-9 weeks. I'm going back June 13th to give again. I was able to give 2 pints of platelets. The hardest part was squeezing that ball in my hand for over 2 hours. And then I started getting really hungry. Then when I got up to leave, wow! I got dizzy and had to lay back down for a while. This is a real worthwhile objective to do and I will do this at least once a month now. The platelets go to people with low platelet count and also cancer / leukemia patients. Me and Cathie did this procedure in 2003 when My Mom needed platelets. I had to go to San Antonio to do because my hometown didn't have this capability back in 2003. Now they do and I really feel that this is a great thing to do. So if you have a day off or some available time, I really do recommend this-at least once. Try it, you might want to continue. And this does not interfere with giving whole blood. Must think, one day you or a family member might need this. And thank God for people that's willing to give a little of themselves for others.