I told my boss that the next time he went to donate, I would go. They went two weeks ago, but it ended up that I had to go to the OR for a shoot, so I didnt get to go that time. So today he came back and asked if I was going. I really wanted to, but man I was a bit nervous. Apprehensively I went. I went once a while back, but only to watch and see how the process worked. I really didn't think I would want to donate, but now it's not so bad. I got there today, and the people that work there are laid back and quite nice. My boss and Al have been going for a long time so they know all the workers there, and they all just have a good time when they come in.
I was still a little nervous, but considering my boss goes every two weeks, it couldn't be that bad. All said and done it was easy and pain free. It was nice because they put a numbing agent on your skin, then they inject some numbing stuff just under the skin, but you can't feel that injection because your skin is already numb. Then when they are ready to hook up the blood tube you don't feel that because your arm in that spot is numb. Then I figured I would feel weird after I donated, but not at all. It's cool because they draw your blood, but after the machine processes the platelets out, it puts your blood back into you, so you don't get that light headed or nauseous feeling.
All said and done I think everyone should donate platelets. You don't have to be scared because I'm a big wuss, and if I can do it, so can you.
And a big plus, it takes about an hour or hour and a half, so you get to watch a movie and eat cookies and crackers and drink Dr. Pepper. I had a great time.