Jealousy

Give Blood.

I did this yesterday! Only 4% of people in this country that can do it, do. I think that is shocking. For a few days discomfort, it is worth it for the knowledge that you will be a life saver. That will mean more to you than a bit of dull pain in your arm.

I woke up yesterday morning at 9am and I was literally a bundle of nerves! I felt sick! I was really tired cos I didn’t actually get to sleep until the birds started singing! My appointment was at 14:55 and I got to my nan’s at about 1ish. I had something to eat and at twenty past two, I wanted to walk to Westcroft cos I was feeling so restless and the nerves were really building. In fact, I very nearly chickened out! We were directed to the room and as we walked through Westcroft’s old fashioned corridors, I was struck by nostalgia; it has been over a decade since I last saw that part of it.

We approached the room and my nerves were nearly shot. The nurse asked if I had eaten (had a ham sandwich at my nan’s) and then she told me to sit. Another nurse soon called my name and then my finger was pricked and my haemoglobin levels were checked. I passed. I had started to calm down a little. Then I sat for some more then I was called over to the table thingy. The nurse cleaned my arm and then told me I was going to feel a sharp scratch. The needle went in and then the blood donating began. I lay there for what felt like 2 hours but in reality it was probably for about ten minutes. The nurse kept asking if I was alright cos I looked out of it. I was ok. Just bewildered. I started to panic a few times cos I could feel my arm falling asleep and there was nothing I could do about it. I had to tell myself to calm down.

A nurse wandered over, checking the bag and walking off again; I kept worrying every time they turned around! I kept telling myself that everything was fine and they’d know if it wasn’t. FINALLY, a nurse came over, took the pressure off my arm and started pulling the needle out; I tell you, that was the worst bit. I yelped! I was then told to put pressure on it for 2 minutes. After that, I had the plaster and pressure thingy put on. I was told to stay there until I felt ok. After that, I had to sit at the refreshments table and have 3 cups of lemon squash and biscuits. Chatted to the nurse and told her about how needles bewilder me and make it seem as though I am out of it (the same thing happened when I got my belly button pierced – the piercer kept asking me if I was ok). A little while later, the feeling had started to come back in my arm and reality was returning. My arm was sore though.

I was then told I was allowed to go and I left the practice hall. I told Chris I wanted to have a nostalgic wander around Westcroft as it would be the last time I would see it like that as it is being refurbished. We didn’t though. I wanted to go home lol.

We got outside and Chris said, ‘now that we’re outside…’ and handed me my phone. On it, was an email from ApplauseStore telling me that I will be seeing Will next week at his one-off ITV special thing. Because it is Will and because my emotions were running high, I just cried! Was not expecting to win tickets at all! I rang my mum and told her although her first concern was how I was and how the donating went (which is understandable, she is my mother afterall!). I was completely buzzing from adrenaline and just yapped and yapped at about 30mph.

So got to my nan’s and told her what happened and then my dad picked us up. Dad asked how I was and every thing and then Michael came to plaster the ceiling and then I went to Chris’s.

So the next day. My arm feels more or less normal again though there is stinging from time to time (I over did it when I got dressed). It still feels a bit weak but that’s prolly due to me being aware of it and not using it properly. I still feel so tired though.

I am really looking forward to getting my donor card in the post and finding out my blood type! I hope I am the rarest type which is AB-

Tippy x