I donated blood for the first time in my 17 years of life today. It was a rather dramatic and exciting experience and let me attempt to bring you into my world. Yeah, the Wendy world. ;P
Step 1 : Registration
You need to bring along your NRIC or blood donation card. Non-Singaporeans need to bring along their passports, work permit or blood donation card. Your personal particulars will be recorded and you will be required to complete the Donor Health Assessment Questionnaire and Blood Donation Declaration form.
While filling up the form, a girl from ODAC (Outdoor Adventure Club) sat beside me, smiled (a beautiful smile that is) and greeted me (and I don't even know her name.) We exchanged a couple of sentences till her friend came over. She's cute. Then i went back to answering the questions. When I passed the form to the nurse, I realised that I absent- mindedly left my EZ-link card in class so I went back to retrieve it. Finally, I'm ready to proceed to the next station.
Step 2 : Medical Screening
A doctor will ask you some questions on your medical history. This is to determine if you are fit to donate blood. Then, your weight, blood pressure and pulse will be checked.
The doctor was talking to Mr Quek (admin officer of CJ, my friendly senior bro-in-Christ whom I always chat with) when I "intruded". The doctor proceeded to remind me that i will not receive any money for donating blood and am doing this to save lives. "Yes, know." (u mean u need to tell that to everyone? Isn't it obvious? Whoever on earth think that donating blood can earn them some monetary reward in return? I wanted to donate blood because I've come to know the fact that life is in the blood - Jesus' blood was shed on the Cross of Calvary to bring us life.) Mr doc took my blood pressure and pulse and commented that my blood pressure is on the lower side, albeit in the healthy range and advised me to drink lots of water after the donation. He noticed my pink Fila water bottle (with only 200ml of water left) on the table, picked it up and told me to drink it all up beforehand. He then checked my declaration form. I had left a blank - my weight (i didn't know lah).
"What's your weight?" asked Mr Doc.
I gave an oh-my-goodness look, scanned around and whispered the magical figure. He didn't hear. I bit my lips and repeated it in a more audible volume.
"I'm good at keeping secrets." He said. OK.
In between Step 2 and 3, I suddenly came to realise that my weight isn't as top secret, government restricted, and as highly confidential as I think it to be. Let's see: My parents don't know my weight, my bro doesn't know, my relatives don't know (despite my San Sen's interrogative attempt to find out.), my friends (even the closest ones) don't know.So who knows? Mr Doc. knows but I bet he wouldn't even remember. And unfortunately, Mr Wong(my PE teacher) and Mr Issac Lim knows. May they not tell a soul. Amen. LOL. I think my secret is still safe, less than zero zero zero zero zero zero zero zero pt one percent(man, that was fun to type) of the world population knows it. And it shall stay that way. *Smirks*
Step 3 : Blood Test
A finger prick will be done to check your haemoglobin level. This is to ensure that you are able to give blood.
Now the tension stealthily builds up. The nurse rubs alcohol on my middle finger. I gulped and awaited the prick. I dare not look. OUCH. I cringed. Pain, pain, pain. I could now proceed to the real deal but I started having second thoughts."Oh no! Can I back out now? I don't want donate blood already, I dun want..." I thought to myself cowardly. A nurse waved at me and directed me to an armchair. I walked to the chair across the hall and each step I took was as heavy as my heart (ok lah, maybe not =P). I reached the area of awakening, heaved and climbed onto the chair.
Step 4 : The Donation
The medical staff will prepare you for the blood donation. After your arm has been cleansed, a localised painkiller will be given to ensure a pain free procedure during the blood donation. About 300 to 430 ml of blood (depending on your weight) will be drawn.
The nurse took my blood pressure again and told me to squeeze the ball on my right hand real tight so that my vein will "xian shen". But I couldn't (maybe I was too scared).I then exclaimed that my prick was painful.
"Aiyoh. People go for operation more painful than this." the nurse attempted to comfort me (no use.). ORH.The nurse then handed me the Post Donation Instructions For Blood Donors and iron tablets(to be taken once daily for the next 2 weeks).She went to attend to other matters and left me to relax and prepare myself for the real, the real painful deal. Approximately 5 mins later (meanwhile I prayed), she came back and removed the measuring blood pressure armband which was really tight on my arms. She demonstrated how hard to squeeze the ball. She said I have to cooperate so that she can insert the needle easily (my first time mah). She applied iodine on the site. My heart was pounding. The climax was coming. She injected the painkiller. PAIN! Talk about a pain free procedure. The painkiller was more like a "paingiver" to me. "That's only the painkiller". RIGHT. My right arm began to lose sensation and feel numb. One minute later, the time has come for the blood suction to take place. I shut my eyes tight and panicked.
"Don't close your eyes! Breathe!" The nurse loudly instructed. I opened my mouth and pathetically tried to gulp in some air. The needle went into my skin and vein. It was much more bearable then the painkiller. Phew! By this time, Mr Quek had noticed the commotion and came over.
"Mr Quek, talk to me!" I pleaded.
"It's ok, the blood is flowing already. First time, you will be afraid. Subsequent times will be easier."
"Oh ok...Mr Quek, why didn't you donate blood this time?"
"I donated in January at the Red Cross Blood Bank. It was my 74th time."
My jaw dropped and my eyes opened wide."74 times?? Wow..."
I was amazed. My admiration of him just upped a level. I wondered if I will ever donate blood a second time. While my blood was still flowing into the bag, I began to think that donating blood isn't as easy as I thought it to be. Maybe I just haven got the hang of it. Then I thought about Jesus. How much blood did He lose for my sake? A lot. How much pain did He have to go through? Definitely a hundred and ten times more excruciating then mine. God is so good to me.
Another nurse came to collect the bag when it was filled. 300 ml doesn't seem a lot. No no, every single ml of blood counts and matter to the one who is in need of it. The removing of the needle was aright and I was looking forward to the bandaging part. (You'll know why as u read on! ;) )Then came the drama. The nurse commented that I looked pale and lowered the arm chair for me to lie down. I was feeling thirsty and requested for water. I quickly sipped the water and closed my eyes (this time to rest).A few minutes later I was awakened by someone calling me. It was Clement. He was sitting on an armchair a metre away, waiting to be attended. It was his first time donating blood too.
"You look real dead lah", he exclaimed. I looked at him with an "are-you-serious?" expression plastered across my face.
"Do I look really pale?" I questioned. He nodded. I reckoned having a real pale, dead looking person lying beside you just before you are about to donate blood for the first time doesn't help. Oops.
In the next 10 mins that I rested, 3 nurses came to ask me if I was feeling ok at least twice.
"Are you giddy?" the nurse asked.
"I think not", came the unconvincing reply. I requested the nurse to help me up my seat. She supported me all the way to the Refreshment Lounge even though I told her I could walk. She's being professional I guess.
Step 5 : Rest and Refreshment
After the donation, you will be required to rest for 10 minutes. Light refreshment will be served. Please ensure that you drink enough fluids on that day.
There were no more empty chairs. This guy whom I happen to take notice of last Friday very gentlemanly gave up his seat for me. He's rather good looking. All I know is that he is in Canoeing and is in the same History lecture at me. I dunno his name or his class! Funny how I seem to recognise people by their CCAs.
"You want Milo? " He asked. I nodded. He then helped me to take out the straw and poke it into the packet (lol).
"Biscuits?" He offered.
I paused for 5 seemingly long seconds, pondering whether I should just take it myself, not eat any or accept his offer. I succumbed. "Can I have the other kind?" I requested. Again he helped me to open the packet and handed it to me. I thanked him sincerely, grateful that this sweet guy has helped a stranger like me to do three wonderfully "ti tie" things. He sure did give me a good first impression. For the next one minute we did not converse and it was a tiny bit awkward sitting beside him. He had to go. "Bye." I tried to sound as friendly as I possibly could.
Afterwards, I saw Kenny walking towards the Lounge area and I offered him the only empty seat beside me.
"No thanks. I'm late for class." He said in a somewhat serious tone. He grabbed a drink and left. I felt kind of convicted. Kenny rushed to go to his lesson and here I am taking my own sweet time to rest when I had a class going on. I sped up to finish my refreshments. I grabbed one last packet of mineral water (my fourth, each 230ml) and went backed to class. Only 300ml of blood and I need a replacement of so much water? Water is my element. Period.
Back in class, they were doing a PC assignment titled - The Use Of Force. Mr Pang told me to take a breather instead of work "vigorously". Both Pei Ru and Karnjote mentioned that I look really pale and asked me if I was feeling alright. Geez. I guess I'm not feeling that alright after all. So much for being convicted. I should have stayed longer to rest. Silly me.
I'm glad that I plucked up the courage to go for the donation and find that this day is most memorable. It is an experience more special and rewarding then any movie or date can offer, don't you think?
Look, my pink smiley bandage!! =) 
Maybe I should donate blood on every Valentine's Day. =P
P: S: I think this is officially my longest entry ever. So how? U like my world? U go and donate blood too if u can k? Give comments? Pls pls pls???? Oh, Happy Valentine's DAYY!! =) =)
