Blood Donation...

Its been some days since i put up a post and my 'Only Fan' was quick to point that out to me. Now, no one wants to disappoint a fan, more so if you have only one.

My company had a blood donation drive recently. And my 'paap ka ghada' filling quickly was reason enough to convince me. Plus it was for kids suffering from Thalassemia. The first day of the drive was encouraging, but i was busy with a client meeting so wasn't able to go. Few colleagues did go, and some had some interesting stories to share.

Now let me be honest... I have never donated anything that my body produces.. and so, I may have been just a little (teeny weeny bit) nervous about this whole exercise. I entered the hall where the drive was going on. I filled out the forms and was told to meet a Mr. X-kar (i don't remember the first part of that.. I remember the kar though... coz i kept repeating that bit to myself)

This kar-man was a grumpy guy.. with a rather disgruntled face. He looked up at me "Khoon dena hai?" No interestingly enough, i am here to steal a few bottles. "Yes, i wish to volunteer for the drive happening"
Yes Vinod, this is the guy you should jhaado english on "Hmm.." Pointing to a weighing scale. Now let me present my predicament to you.. Behind me is this babe.. oh no.. not just a babe, a BABE... and she is eagerly observing my every action. And now, i had to stand on a scale!! So, i stood there.. I said "I'm 75 Kgs" Quick presence of mind saves the day.. kudos! "Aisa nahi chalenga.. khade raho..."
DAMN! I tried my level best to hide the reading with my toes (yeah, i know that wasn't smart.. but i panicked!).. 85 Kgs! I looked apologetically at the BABE. Meanwhile kar-man stuck out his hand like he was gonna shake it. I thought well, thats the least he can do.. After all I am donating arguably the most precious fluid in my OUCH!!! I saw him withdrawing what looked like a very questionable tack and then squeezing blood out of me. "Thats strange. Is this all they need? Ah, i was panicking for no reason" He dropped it into a solution and said.. "Udhar lett jao" "Nahi, mein theek hoon.. I can leave" "Arre yeh test hai sirffff"

So i knew for a fact now that the ordeal was not over. A doctor came up to me, "Nervous?" reading 'donating for first time :)' in my form. Oh no doc, usually when i wanna calm myself, i get people i dont know to poke 6 inch needles into me. But ego... " Nah! I've had multiple surgeries on me" Now just as i said this, the guy next to me, who had donated, rested and was now ready to leave, collapsed. Wow, seeing someone collapse doing what you are going to do does wonders for the heart beat. If you part of the medical fraternity, pls note this. The doc comes back, checks my BP "150! Itna high..." I'm like damn! I knew nothing good could come out of this. I'm sure my BP went up a notch or two just thinking of how many types of food i will have to cut down on, if i do have a BP problem. He made me lie down and asked me to stay calm. Yeah dude, didnt you see that guy collapse? Show me some more of that.. That oughta calm me! Bam! One more girl down... "What do you do to calm yourself normally?" Well, I dont donate blood for starters!! And i definitely dont lie on a cot that can barely support my wt.. He comes back after an age, checks and says "Now we ready to draw blood. You need a while? No? Ok." 'Draw Blood?' Are you planning to settle an old score? Did i hit on ur sister bro? Coz i didnt mean to.. Promise... He brought out that monstrosity of a needle again. After getting the blood pressure thingy tightly around my arm, he rubbed something into my forearm and said "Now, this needle I am going to put through here..." and bring out of my shoulder??!! Its too big. I was about to lodge a complaint about the size of the needle but i swear to God... that huge thing was in me in a flash.. Sucking out blood... Felt nice at that time. My right palm was sweaty and going numb... But i knew i was doing something nice. When i stood up, i didnt feel weak or giddy. I helped myself to biscuits and tea. Meanwhile, the puncture that monster sized needle made was still oozing blood. I went to the doc and showed it to him. "Its normal. You need to sit with this swab pressed against it... Hey in fact, since your bleeding hasnt stopped, how if we collect it in another bag? hehe.." "No doc.. I need to leave something for my manager..."

Donating blood was amongst the most satisfying things i have done.. and i am sure i will many more times. :)