The day of the blood drive, I took extra care to go running in the morning, since I would be unable after donation. I even made sure to eat a full meal at Chick-Fila before heading to my appointment. As I entered the blood drive in the Wilkinson Student, I felt uneasy and nervous. You want to be a nurse someday. You can do this.
I started to go through the process of giving blood. I read a lengthy pamphlet telling me about the risks of giving blood. To my dismay, I weighed enough by one pound to give blood. As I sat waiting longer, I started talking to the other donors about their past experiences. Every experience went something like this: "My first time giving blood was rough because such-and-such went wrong. Overall, though, I love giving blood. That's why I'm still here." Obviously, this information did not reassure me.
Finally, my turn to give blood came. I went into a booth so a worker could ask me health questions. I passed with flying colors, until the worker decided to check my blood.
"I'm just going to prick your finger," the guy said.
"Will it hurt?" I questioned, shifting in my seat.
"Only a little bit," he said, sticking something into my finger. I winced, but then it was over.
"Can I have a band-aid?" I asked sheepishly. He looked at me and chuckled, as if I was supposed to just sit there with a bleeding finger. After I had administered the dressing to my wound, the worker started to test my blood for low hemoglobin.
"For women, a healthy range of hemoglobin is 12.1 to 15.1 grams per deciliter. Yours looks like...oh my gosh...that's the lowest I've ever seen. You're at 9.3 grams per deciliter. Do you feel okay?"
"I mean, this is how I've always felt."
"You need to eat a lot more red meat and spinach," instructed the worker.
"Okay, so do I get to give blood now?" I asked. Now that I've at least sat here for 45 minutes, I at least want to give blood so I can say I did. Yes, not the most altruistic reason, but I want to now.
The worker laughed at me again. I guess I seemed funny. "You can't give blood today. You would feel absolutely terrible afterwards if we took your blood, and it would not be safe."
I left the booth in shame. I looked down at my twig arms and used my phone as a mirror to look at my face. Do I look unhealthy? I guess I've lost a little weight since I've got here. My hair is thinning. Maybe I do have a problem. I should call mom. She will know what to do.
I pulled out my phone and speed-dialed my R.N. mother. "Mom, they wouldn't take my blood. They said I have low iron, like a 9.3. The guy said he'd never seen iron that low."
"That doesn't sound good," my mom said. "How much red meat have you eaten lately.
"Well, not any...really. I get Chick-Fila once a week, but that's not really red meat."
"Okay, well, you need to go buy some meat. Make tacos or stroganoff. Right now, I want you to go eat a burger or something. And go buy prenatal vitamins. If your deficient in iron, you're probably deficient in other vitamins too." She's probably rolling her eyes at me...
I said my goodbyes and trudged up to my room. Bailey and Katie, two of my most trusted roommates, were giving blood, at my request. I hope someone's home. I don't want to be alone right now.
I strolled into Bailey and McKenna's room. McKenna glanced up from Pinterest. "Do you want to go get a burger?" I asked.
"Right now?" she asked.
"I have low iron. I need meat. Want to go to the Creamery?"
I was so grateful when my go-with-the-flow cousin agreed to accompany me on this drudgery. We trekked down to the Creamery on 9th. "Let's get you some red meat," McKenna said. I had never bought meat before, so I was grateful for her assistance in picking out a good package.
"My mom said I need prenatal vitamins too," I said, hanging my head in shame.
"They probably have some over there in that aisle," McKenna assured me. Sure enough, I found a big bottle with 100 tablets.
We subtly made our way to the line. I stood there as a couple next do us glared at me. I wanted to say, "Yes, I am buying red meat and prenatal vitamins. No, I'm not pregnant." But I just stood there.
"McKenna, everyone's staring at me," I whispered. She quietly slid me her ring to put on my left finger. She knows me too well. Unfortunately, her ring did not fit, but it was still a nice gesture. Soon enough, I had swiped my student I.D. and bagged my loot.
We ordered burgers and sat down. "I don't think I'm going to forget this," McKenna said.
"I know, this is ridiculous. I thought I was healthy," I complained. "Who knew a greasy burger could be a remedy for an ailment?"
I glanced down at my phone. My dad had sent me ten pictures of gourmet, juicy steak. I laughed to myself. My family is always there for me, everyone in their own way. I can always count on them!
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