Blown Out of Proportion
Well almost.
At least I am only talking body parts here. What am I saying? ONLY body parts?
This morning I went to donate platelets again. I went two weeks ago, and in Austin they let you do it every 10 days (I know in some areas they let you do it every 7). So, I was prepped. No aspirin products, plenty of water, plenty of food, felt great, well rested, veins looked great. A couple of visits prior I had a vein clot up so I had to wait 8 weeks, and my visit two weeks ago I was able to give a double (and made up for it - kinda) so i was feeling pretty good. All went well: my blood pressure was great, my hematocrit was spot on, my temprature was right below normal so I was good to go. I had to wait a little for a chair, but no problem. I got in the chair and everything went fine, then she stuck me. Prior to the first return she seemed concerned about the "placement," she said.
"If the angle isn't just right there can be a problem." (Well, that's never been an issue with me before. Usually I can go about what I am doing with no issue.)
"Oh no not again," I said.
"You've had this happen before?"
"Yeah, in my other arm, with clotting, anyways" I told her.
And honestly, I'm pretty positive it was the same person who did it the last time. She seemed to put the needle in too shallow. I'm used to it being in a bit deeper when the draw).
"I see" she mumbled.
Well, all of the returns did well for about 30 minutes, until I moved a little because the pillow slipped. Then - excruciating pain. I removed the blanket only to see my arm inflating. I kid you not, I could see my vein plumping up like a little sausage, it was freaky and I began to panic a little. The alarm went off and the mutton chopped guy came over to take a look. Once the return was done he said everything looked ok, but the vein had already started bruising at that point from what I could see. I felt fine until the return began again and my arm once again began to "inflate". I think the damage had already been done at that point, and he said if it was hurting me that much we should just go ahead and stop.
I was totally pissed. I cursed. He asked: "Is that because of the pain?" I said "Well, that and knowing I have to wait to come back" He also went "and whoa - who stuck you?" I didn't know her name, but I know I don't want her to wreck my vein a third time. I want to keep doing this! I may just need to go every 3 weeks, maybe give my veins a bit more time to heal? I don't know. When other folks do it, I don't seem to get the "well it has to be juust right" kinds of explanations. it's just in and out, done. They're probably newer at it, and I understand that, but how do I keep getting my veins blown up? No fun! :P
I guess it's better than being the guy next to me. It was probably the combo of too much caffeine/ not enough food/not being prepared to give a double (which is what I was doing) - but the poor guy puked all over himself. Why they let HIM finish is beyond me. Yeah, I'm still a little miffed about it. I'll get over it. There. done.
So July 17th is the next time I can/plan to give. I'm going to try to stick to Sundays, because I know all of the folks on Sundays. I hope maybe my veins can heal proper by then and we can get the ball rolling. How do some folks do this 24 times a year? I'll be lucky if I eek 8 out this one!
This picture was about 5 hours after it all happened. Yeah it already looked that bad
At least I am only talking body parts here. What am I saying? ONLY body parts?
This morning I went to donate platelets again. I went two weeks ago, and in Austin they let you do it every 10 days (I know in some areas they let you do it every 7). So, I was prepped. No aspirin products, plenty of water, plenty of food, felt great, well rested, veins looked great. A couple of visits prior I had a vein clot up so I had to wait 8 weeks, and my visit two weeks ago I was able to give a double (and made up for it - kinda) so i was feeling pretty good. All went well: my blood pressure was great, my hematocrit was spot on, my temprature was right below normal so I was good to go. I had to wait a little for a chair, but no problem. I got in the chair and everything went fine, then she stuck me. Prior to the first return she seemed concerned about the "placement," she said.
"If the angle isn't just right there can be a problem." (Well, that's never been an issue with me before. Usually I can go about what I am doing with no issue.)
"Oh no not again," I said.
"You've had this happen before?"
"Yeah, in my other arm, with clotting, anyways" I told her.
And honestly, I'm pretty positive it was the same person who did it the last time. She seemed to put the needle in too shallow. I'm used to it being in a bit deeper when the draw).
"I see" she mumbled.
Well, all of the returns did well for about 30 minutes, until I moved a little because the pillow slipped. Then - excruciating pain. I removed the blanket only to see my arm inflating. I kid you not, I could see my vein plumping up like a little sausage, it was freaky and I began to panic a little. The alarm went off and the mutton chopped guy came over to take a look. Once the return was done he said everything looked ok, but the vein had already started bruising at that point from what I could see. I felt fine until the return began again and my arm once again began to "inflate". I think the damage had already been done at that point, and he said if it was hurting me that much we should just go ahead and stop.
I was totally pissed. I cursed. He asked: "Is that because of the pain?" I said "Well, that and knowing I have to wait to come back" He also went "and whoa - who stuck you?" I didn't know her name, but I know I don't want her to wreck my vein a third time. I want to keep doing this! I may just need to go every 3 weeks, maybe give my veins a bit more time to heal? I don't know. When other folks do it, I don't seem to get the "well it has to be juust right" kinds of explanations. it's just in and out, done. They're probably newer at it, and I understand that, but how do I keep getting my veins blown up? No fun! :P
I guess it's better than being the guy next to me. It was probably the combo of too much caffeine/ not enough food/not being prepared to give a double (which is what I was doing) - but the poor guy puked all over himself. Why they let HIM finish is beyond me. Yeah, I'm still a little miffed about it. I'll get over it. There. done.
So July 17th is the next time I can/plan to give. I'm going to try to stick to Sundays, because I know all of the folks on Sundays. I hope maybe my veins can heal proper by then and we can get the ball rolling. How do some folks do this 24 times a year? I'll be lucky if I eek 8 out this one!
This picture was about 5 hours after it all happened. Yeah it already looked that bad