My first blood donation

Date: 25th Nov,09
Place: Visakhapatnam
Occassion: Celebration of Navy Week

Ever since my husband sought my consent to donate blood alongwith him, I had been taking pride in my affirmative decision to go ahead with it. It was for the first time that I had thought in such a direction. Actually, had thought many times before, but never really had the courage or motivation to do it. So I was all the more enthusiastic and anxious to go for it.

Now, finally the 25th of Nov came, I made sure to prepare a heavy breakfast for both of us, just in case it would add few more units of blood into our systems. I joined my husband around lunch time near a point and we headed towards the destination. As we entered the hospital, I realized I was the only female donor around with none turned up so far.

First, we were made to go for the routing Hb check-up followed by normal medical examination. And then, we entered the blood donation room. I could read silent admiration for me in the eyes of other officers and sailors (well, I take it that way ;)). I just wanted to jump into the bed and start the process as early as possible. And as if the staff could read my 'utsukta',a lady nurse came in and tied my right arm with a band to accumulate the blood supply in that region and gave me smiley ball to squeeze it.

Well, I bombarded the nurse with all sort of questions like -Is this needle fresh? Have you noted my name on the bag? How much more time will you take to give me that injection? And there within seconds she inserted the needle (needle is an underword for that 'mota vala' injection). And the blood donation process started. And I again questioned her if the blood flow was proper. She had no choice but to leave me ignored. Hehe, poor girl. I tortured her with my 'pakau' questions.

The best was when she unwinded everything and asked me to get up, I asked -If you want more blood, I have no problems, here take it. She said, no thanks, this much is sufficient. And immediately gave me a 'maaza' and 'Orange cream biscuits' and rescued herself from my nautankis.

Jokes apart, I really felt glad for being able to do something for the needy ones. More than the pride, there was a sense of embarrasement that why have I not done such a noble thing ever before.

I hope to carry these emotions as well as good health to donate blood atleast once in a year.