Today was my first appointment to donate blood; I was hoping to donate 4 units. Passed the screening tests - pulse, blood pressure, temperature, hematocrit all fine.
I've always had a problem with blood draws in that my veins are very small, but a "butterfly" needle in my wrist usually works for a routine blood draw. Turns out that a much larger needle is used to take a pint, and the Red Cross site only allows needles (1 size fits all) into the inside of the elbow. The nurse started on my left arm, couldn't get a flow, manipulated the needle because she thought the needle hit a valve and after about 30 minutes gave up on that side. The right side insertion went smoothly and blood began to flow ... and then it slowed to a trickle ... and then it stopped. The nurse did all kinds of things to get the flow to resume, but nothing worked. Apparantly the needle was just too large for my size vein. After 45 minutes on the right arm, I was sent home.
We will try again next week, but my goal of 4 units is now impossible and my ability to donate even 1 unit looks questionable. I do not doubt the nurse's skills.
I know this is small stuff in the greater scheme of things, and that donor blood will be just fine. I don't even mind the huge bruises on both arms.
However, what I DO mind is that the half-pint of perfectly good blood that was collected will be disposed of - they do not process anything less than a full pint.
I am upset and sad, which probably is also due to the fact that my surgery is now becoming much more real - less than 5 weeks away.
I am so thankful for this forum because it is a safe place for me to whine. Sorry for the rambling, but I needed to get this off my chest.
I've always had a problem with blood draws in that my veins are very small, but a "butterfly" needle in my wrist usually works for a routine blood draw. Turns out that a much larger needle is used to take a pint, and the Red Cross site only allows needles (1 size fits all) into the inside of the elbow. The nurse started on my left arm, couldn't get a flow, manipulated the needle because she thought the needle hit a valve and after about 30 minutes gave up on that side. The right side insertion went smoothly and blood began to flow ... and then it slowed to a trickle ... and then it stopped. The nurse did all kinds of things to get the flow to resume, but nothing worked. Apparantly the needle was just too large for my size vein. After 45 minutes on the right arm, I was sent home.
We will try again next week, but my goal of 4 units is now impossible and my ability to donate even 1 unit looks questionable. I do not doubt the nurse's skills.
I know this is small stuff in the greater scheme of things, and that donor blood will be just fine. I don't even mind the huge bruises on both arms.
However, what I DO mind is that the half-pint of perfectly good blood that was collected will be disposed of - they do not process anything less than a full pint.
I am upset and sad, which probably is also due to the fact that my surgery is now becoming much more real - less than 5 weeks away.
I am so thankful for this forum because it is a safe place for me to whine. Sorry for the rambling, but I needed to get this off my chest.
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