
No, the real reason I stopped donating blood occured during a blood drive held at my college. I was in a fraternity and had talked all of the brothers into donating blood as well. I explained that it was a painless process and that it was such a great cause. They agreed to follow me. I checked in and sat down to have my temperature taken. An elderly lady with a name tag reading "Midge" was working that station.
All I can guess is, Midge just wasn't paying attention. Just as she began to put the thermometer in my mouth, someone called her name. She turned her head and instead of putting the thermometer under my tongue, she rammed it up my nose. I reared my head back and yelled. It echoed throughout the gymnasium. All of my brothers got up in unison and walked out of the blood drive.
Flustered, Midge asked if I was all right. "Of course not!" I screamed. So then she tried to stick that same thermometer under my tongue. "Don't put that thing in my mouth, God!" Poor Midge was so confused. My nose hurt for five days after that. And that's why I don't donate blood anymore.
And just because we were so damn cute, here is one more parting shot from Hallowe'en, courtesy of the Giant Panda himself, Will at The [Cherry] Ride:
I gave all the time too. One time, "Millie" was doing something with blood right next to the table I was on. I looked over and there was blood everywhere! It looked like a crime scene. I don't know how I didn't rip that needle out of my arm and run.
ReplyDeleteDop: I continue to find new and more reasons to respect that you are still with us today. Today and yesterday's cringe-inducing entries are evidence!
ReplyDeleteOf course her name was Midge!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your note on my blog. I appreciate the encouragement.
Cute costumes!
b
Giving blood was something I used to do regularly too, then my family moved to the UK. Then Chernobyl happened, then thew English livestock was poisoned and went mad, then our chickens went mad. Subsequentley because I lived and grew up in the UK in the 80's, I am no longer able to give blood. Which kinda sucks. Although for my USA Green Card process I have had more tests and blood removed than I can fathom! So now...I do not even wish to see another bloody needle for the foreseable future! EVER actually!!
ReplyDeleteThis post had me totally cracking up.
ReplyDelete