Visiting the Blood Donation Center...

I donated blood yesterday for the first time in four years. It wasn't too bad except the girl infiltrated my vein, which then hurt like the dickens. They don't need to go so deep! Sheesh! Anyhow, I was talked into donating platelets the next time. Apparently whole blood can be kept and used for up to six weeks, but platelets can only be kept for five days. Also, many people don't want to take the time to donate platelets which leads to shortages. I was concerned about the time consideration, so she checked my platelet count to get an idea of how long it would take for me to donate a unit (based on my platelet density I guess). When she came back to me, very excited, I learned that I have very high platelet counts and could donate multiple units in the same period of time that another person donates one unit. Well, that clinched it. I made an appointment for platelet donation in eight weeks (which will then reoccur every four weeks). The sacrifices we make for fellow man......;)

Just call me super-platelet girl...