Blood Donation Day

Today I gave blood - to myself of course. It was a 2 hour drive to the blood center. I got there early. I was happy....but not for long. The procedures were standard, five questions, a quick anemic test and iron level check. Then onto the chair squeezing a sponge with a 16 gauge needle poked into my left arm. It was interesting to see actually, but about half way through the bag, the machine started beeping, the nurse comes over and says "It's slowing down." Uh...Ok...so for the next 15 to 30 mins they continue to push the needle deeper in....someone say "Ouch". So after all that work and still not being able to get blood to flow, they told me I had to come back. I asked, "Can you guys do my other arm." After another 15 mins, they checked with the doctor and they were given the go ahead, before I knew it, I had a whole pint full. So when all was said and done, I have two bruises on each arm...a small price to pay for jaw surgery. Next stop...a trip to the dentist for teeth cleaning...I always love the paste they give me.