I donated blood today!!! - on topic, I swear

September 13, 2002

To anyone who's missed my saga, I was really sick for a long time. I had a

series of wound complications, one of which was very serious.

Even with low-grade wound complications, you frequently have a low blood

count. I had what I referred to " as a dumb little abscess " for a few months

and was shocked to discover that my blood count had gotten low. Two doctors

told me it was probably from the abscess, and that since the abscess had been

resolved, it would go up on its own, as long as I kept doing what I was

doing.

Anyway, my mother, sister, and I have all received blood transfusions over

the last 2 years. It's kind of amazing to imagine that a dozen strangers are

responsible for my sister and mother being alive. I was never near death,

but the two units I received probably helped me get well much faster.

Today, I was able to donate blood! It was the first time in years. For a

while they wouldn't let me donate because I had cancer, and then I wasn't

healthy enough to give blood. You can donate blood if you've received a

transfusion as long as you wait 12 months, if anyone's wondering. I

attribute my ability to donate to lots of things, but mainly my weight loss

surgery.

One of the reasons I'm able to donate blood is that told me about

carbonyl iron, or perfect iron. The kind I use is made by Sundown, and I can

only find it at Walmart, of all places. My doctors are always surprised at

how quickly I replenish my lost blood. I believe that many people quit

taking regular iron because it hurts their tummies, or they don't absorb it

if they do take it. She also told me to accompany it with vitamin c, and it

seems like one of the few things I naturally do well is produce blood.

BTW, I got approval from my doctor before donating. Some of you might need

to talk to your doctors before donating blood, especially if you have a type

surgery linked to mal-absorption, or have a history of low blood counts.

When I asked my doctor about it he laughed, and said he'd never met a person

who was so eager to donate blood.

In only 8 more weeks I can donate again! My sister and mother and I owe the

world over a gallon, so I'll need to really apply myself.

in St. Louis

Recommended Posts