I decided today would be a good day to give blood again. I was eligible on November 7th but hadn't managed to make my way to the blood bank until this morning. I meant to go over the weekend but I'd also promised Jennie I'd help put her wall hangings up at the new apartment. So, I never made it over. Which brings us to this morning. I woke up at 7 and decided I'd just stop in on my way to work. It's a good time to go because there aren't generally a lot of other people there at 8 in the morning.
So, I got there, signed up, answered the million-and-one questions, and proceeded to the donation room. I was the first donor of the day for a girl who, clearly, hadn't been at the job too long. She was nervous but doing well enough. I warned her that I have "difficult" veins and that the technicians usually use a blood pressure cuff rather than the tourniquet strap when actually drawing the blood. She asked a supervisor for advice and set about getting everything ready. The supervisor was, frankly, rather brusque with the girl as she gave quick instruction on how to use the blood pressure cuff so I decided to just grin and bear whatever was in store. When it came time to make the puncture, the girl looked around and the supervisor was gone so she asked another technician for help. He stood by and she went in. Alas...she didn't quite connect. So, he stepped in and tried to readjust the needle. I commented that I was probably going to have a bruise today and he said it looked that way but it might not be too bad. Things looked good momentarily and then he admitted that they'd gone through the vein, that a (an?) hematoma was forming, and we'd have to abandon the cause for today. The girl was crushed and went to get a cold compress for my arm while he removed the needle. He pointed out the hematoma (eeewww) and had me hold the compress over the area for a few minutes. He told the girl what to write on the report and then wrapped my arm. He walked me back to the canteen for my juice and cookies and advised that I just ask for a supervisor in similar circumstances in the future. The thing is...I would've done that today but I felt bad for the girl because the supervisor had already been rather snippy with her. I didn't want to make things worse. But, I guess I actually did. Ah well. Live and learn.
I asked if I should come back and try again in a week or two but was told that since they did get some blood in the bag, I'd have to wait another 8 weeks. So, I went on in to work.
They're giving away some very cute squeeze toys in honor of the holiday season. I got to keep mine despite the lack of an actual usable donation!
I got a phone call at work at about 10:30 or 11 from Kristen at the blood center. The conversation went something like this:
J: Hello, this is Joanna.
K: Hi, this is Kristen from the Blood and Tissue Center.
J (thinking she's calling about today's mishap): Ah! Hello.
K: So, you probably know why I'm calling?
J: I imagine so.
K: Well, our supply is about 90 units short and I was wondering if you could stop in today or sometime this week and make a donation.
J: Oops! Sorry. I tried this morning. I thought you were making a follow-up call since I had problems.
K: No, I didn't know about that. Is there anything I can do?
J: No. I just felt bad for the technician because she seemed new at the job and felt bad about going through the vein.
K: Ohmygosh! I'm so sorry. Are you okay?
J: I'm fine. I'm just sorry I wasn't able to give a full unit.
K: Well, I guess we'll see you in February, then?
J: Sure.
And, that's the end of that. Well. Except for the bruise. It's not pretty. But, I've had much worse with other blood-donation mishaps. I have these "difficult" veins, you see. Heh. I'll survive. Always an adventure 'round these parts, eh?
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