my first giving blood experience...
so.... let's just make it clear and say right now that i didn't actually give blood.
that's right. after going through all the forms and mini-physical and passing the iron test... i found myself with a nurse that was nice, but didn't really have great bedside manner.
you don't openly worry about how small the person's vein is in comparison to the pretty big needle right in front of them. you also don't say that the difference between a blood test needle and this needle is like night and day.
ultimately, i ended up with three different nurses looking for my vein. then she tried to insert the needle, my blood didn't go, so another nurse came to readjust it twice and my vein collapsed.
they said i can come back whenever i want, since i didn't really give blood. the blood made it about three inches down the tube. :P
how sad. :)
but at least i know that i can pretty much walk in whenever i want, instead of rushing over to meet an appointment right after a full day of class.
this knowledge will help greatly with my successfully giving blood again in the future.