Type O Positive
I received notification today that my blood type is O+, as determined by the M. D. Anderson cancer center at which I donated over the weekend. It’s not the type O- I had hoped for, but it can still go to any type-positive recipient, so I’m just as happy to be of help. Semi-universal, I suppose. Seems about right with my nature. Here’s what the whole experience was like.
This was my first time to give blood, after years of sporadic attempts and coincidental obstructions conspired to keep my blood out of anyone else’s veins. For this n00b, the experience was not without some anxiety. Fortunately, despite some mildly curious procedures at the clinic, the whole event went smoothly and was virtually painless.
Passing out was my main concern, as I think I expressed to nearly everyone else involved. I don’t know why, but I’ve had a tendency lately to knock off in various situations, including but not limited to having my foot cut open or kayaking. But thanks to a hearty breakfast low in fat and rich in iron, plenty of water and fruit juice, and the patient accommodations of the odd but likable technician who tapped my elbow, I came away steady on my feet without any incident.
In fact, it all went so well that I see no reason why anyone who’s able shouldn’t take an afternoon to go have it done. If you’re nice, they might even give you a red stuffed bear or a flashing coffee cup.
It turns out there’s nothing to fear, and it’s a good thing to do. I’m glad my friend Christy encouraged me to come out on behalf of her dad, who’s undergoing treatment, and I hope he recovers soon, just as I hope my blood goes directly to help someone out. I wish I had gone sooner. I’m glad I got over it.
When you do go to give blood, these would be my suggestions:
- Beef up your blood. They actually screen your blood for iron levels before they even draw it. If it’s too weak, they turn you away. I had a spinach omelette with grilled potatoes on the side (skin and all), and my blood sailed over whatever the bar is. Plenty of iron also helped me feel strong after donating. For a heavy dose of iron, they recommended Total cereal, one cup of which has almost two straight grams of dietary iron.
- Keep up your blood sugar. Fruit juice here works best, so have some orange juice with your breakfast. Vitamin C helps with iron absorption, and the sugars fuel you up a bit to help get you home after donating. Apple juice is good too.
- Stay clear of the fats. If there’s too much fat in your blood, they have to toss it. So don’t eat a steak and fries for breakfast.
- Stay hydrated. You need water to keep your blood pressure up after you give up a pint, so you want to retain as much as you can so as not to pass out. The juice with breakfast helps, but have a glass of water before you go to bed and again before you head to the clinic. The slight anxiety had me sweating a bit even, and I wish I had taken a bottle in with me like my friend Frank did, if only to make me a bit more comfortable during the paperwork and screening. Next time, the Nalgene goes with me.
- Stay off the caffeine. Caffeine triggers your body to flush its water, and like I just said, you need plenty of water to keep your blood pressure up so you don’t faint.
- Don’t take any aspirin the day before. They can’t accept blood that has been tainted with blood-thinning pain relievers, so if you’ve had any aspirin or aspirin-based pills in the past 48 hours, they’ll ask you to come back later.
- Chat up your technician if you feel nervous. Let them know if it’s your first time. You might find out, for example, that he competed in track and field at your high school, grew up near where you now live, and doesn’t understand what that sculpture around the corner from your house is supposed to be. You might suspect later that they were making it all up to distract your thoughts, but you might just be glad to have your mind on anything besides needles and hoses.
- Be prepared to take a nap when you get home. A pint of blood isn’t much, but it’s enough to make you tired. I went home and crashed for a good couple hours afterward, although I might’ve needed it anyway. The advice from the clinic was not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous work… I couldn’t make it through an episode of Mystery Science Theater. So block out some time to pass out *after* you get home.
Apart from those tips, which you can actually find all over the web, I can recommend specifically that you find out what else the blood bank might require before you go.
- A photo ID. They have to be sure the name you submit is your own, and they use your social security number or some other identifying information to keep track of the blood you deposit, so you’ll want your driver’s license.
- Information about any medicines you’re taking or have recently taken. They’ll ask you several questions about this, so it helps to know what to listen for.
- Your significant medical history and any significant illnesses in your family. They’re not trying to pry, they’re just watching for things that would force them to discard your blood. They want people with smallpox going to one of the other medical facilities.
- The name and patient ID of anyone you know who’s currently in treatment and who requires blood transfusions. They’ll give you a chance to list this person as a beneficiary when you’re signing in. It’s not like they’ll run down the hall with your pint and plug it in, but they’ll earmark another pint for your friend, even if your actual blood goes to someone else. For this to work, you’ll have to go to a center affiliated with your friend’s treatment facility, so check on that too.
- Cash for parking, directions to the blood bank, and a route to the best parking garage. The medical center here in Houston is a maze, and 80% of the parking garage entrances are not for you. The first garage you see will also be about half a mile from the donation center once you get inside the building. Figure it all out before you go to avoid frustration, and have a few one-dollar bills so you can get out of the garage without riding the bumper of the truck in front of you, hoping the gate doesn’t come down on the roof of your Jeep.
Other than all that, remember to look around the web for more information on what kinds of donations you can make, what other factors determine your blood’s eligibility, where you can go give blood nearby, and what you should know before you go.
If someone you know needs blood, rally your friends and make it an event! You’ll overwhelm the staff at the clinic initially, but if you behave yourselves, they’ll be glad to take you in. Christy even sent out an evite invitation. Why not? Blood party!