A Second Pint of Blood This Year

Had a mild shock when staff from the Bloodbank called and politely requested for a pint of my blood, and within seconds, fixed an appointment for me. Over a phone call. Wow. It wasn’t a scam. After the text confirmation of the appointment date came in, I double-checked it on the app. Okaaaayy. Legit.

I had just donated a pint in January. (One can donate 430-470ml of whole blood every 12 weeks.) I guess they really needed stocks of O-. Toddled down to a conveniently located Bloodbank to do the deed. I wouldn’t mind a new Blood Buddy squishie. 

Considering that I just cleared my medicals with the gynecologist and the cardiologist, and alcohol intake is still drastically reduced, it was a pretty good time to donate blood. My haemoglobin levels read 14.3 on the day of the appointment, and blood pressure was excellent-normal.

As the bag fattened, I broke out into cold sweat again. My blood pressure had plummeted and I had to rest. It wasn’t too bad though. It was very nice to have a cup of Milo in bed. Teeeheee. I really liked that bandage they wrapped for me — paw prints! 

They didn’t let me out of the bed till the doctor checked my blood pressure a third time. I went to the rest area, chugged a can of isotonic drink, rested for another 10 minutes, then strolled a Lululemon boutique to buy things, then cabbed home. With my new Blood Buddy squishie.

The staff gave me the whole spiel about after-care and taking it slow the next day. The fluids and iron needed to be replenished. They offered me iron tablets, but I declined. I have no issue with iron and red blood cell count and haemoglobin levels; food will balance them out within a day.

I heard the caution about not exercising for 24 hours after donating blood. It was repeated a number of times. I ignored it. By noon the next day, I have had a snack, a full dinner, and a glass of milk. I didn't touch alcohol and I don't intend to drink much for the next two weeks. And I had slept a full nine hours. 

When I woke up and felt perfectly fine, I made a judgement call. Went for an easy cardio class at the gym the next day at noon. Wheeeeee. It was themed 'Short Sharp Springs'. It ain’t no strength training day. It was truly all cardio, with an easy portion of weights. Of course I went light on the dumb-bells. I'm very attuned to my body. No wooziness at all. All good.