I went to give blood today. Unlike some folks in my office, I got through the screening and into the chair. I'm usually okay with needles so I wasn't worried. When she put it in it really hurt. I actually yelled OUCH and then I felt bad because it was kind of rude and I think it made her feel bad. But still... it hurt! Anyway... the rest went fine until she pulled the needle out. I immediately got dizzy. Then my eyes started to get fuzzy and dark. Then my hearing became muffled and I felt like I was going to pass out. I made a quick mention that I didn't feel right. The nurse calmly but loudly said "ice pack" and in a moment every nurse in the room was attending to me - padding my body with ice, taking off my shoes, shifting my chair back so my feet were above my heart, moving my legs around and telling me to cough hard. It went on like that for a few minutes and then I finally started to feel right again. It was scary. "Did you eat breakfast," asked one nurse. I shook my head to indicate that I hadn't and then they all shook their heads to indicate disappointment. Oops - my bad.

After the "episode" they had to fill out an "incident report" and keep me monitored for about another half hour or so. They forced two cans of coke down my throat (I hate Coke) along with some cookies and popcorn (that part wasn't so bad). I was feeling better but my blood pressure wasn't rising so I had to sit a little longer. Finally, they let me go with a wary look in their eyes calling after to me to make sure I ate lunch right away. I did but I still feel tired and awful and I hope all that was worth it to someone who will get my blood someday.

- Judianne