(((I Will Outlive)))

Hey, since we're talking about giving blood today - a friend of the family got in an accident yesterday due to a vagus event after a blood draw. He had never had one before. My wife gets these somewhat frequently, so:

If you've never passed out after a blood draw or injection, you should wait at least fifteen minutes after an injection or blood draw before you drive or do anything where a sudden loss of consciousness could cause you serious injury - climb a ladder, use a sharp knife, etc. If you ever have, you should wait half an hour.

Our friend is okay. He was driving below the speed limit and wearing his seatbelt when he briefly lost consciousness. His car is totaled, but he's okay.

Please be careful. I know we're all really busy, and we've all got a million places to be, but you can't tough your way through your body deciding it needs to reset itself by passing out briefly.

I also really recommend bringing a cookie or granola bar and water (or any little snack) if you're getting a blood draw so you can have that after

This is especially helpful if you had to be fasting for the test

Oh for sure.

To be clear, y'all, every place I've ever been that you give blood or get it drawn for tests recommends that you stay for 15m.

A lot of people don't do that. We're all busy, and I don't think most of us know what might happen bc if you've never had vasovagal syncope/a vagus event... you don't know how completely out of your control it is. You're busy having a normal day and then you wake up on the floor.

A friend of mine nearly had a Very Bad Day the day before yesterday.

I took that as an opportunity to remind people to take care of themselves.

That's all. :)

Wait, don’t they give you snacks as a thank you for giving blood out there??? One of the best things about giving blood is that after you get to sit in the ‘you just gave blood and we’re keeping an eye on you’ zone while you have a drink and a sweet or salty snack (or if you’re cheeky, both) before they’ll let you leave.

And don’t get me started about Germany! There they get swag bags of stuff donated by companies wanting to be seen to be supporting blood donation. I live in envy of my friend in Germany and her blood donation swag.

They do, usually, yes.

Let me underline the words "blood draws for tests," y'all.

My friend had a blood draw. He was not donating blood. He had a snack AFAIK. He still passed out.

These things can happen anyway if people rush off bc they're busy and don't wait the full 15-30m as recommended. Even if you do everything right, you can still pass out.

All I'm saying is please take your time and wait the full 15-30 minutes.

I'm not saying anybody isn't getting snacks or isn't being taken care of. This isn't an indictment of the US except inasmuch we are sometimes too busy to take care of ourselves. That's it.

Accepting myself, even the parts that hurt me, has been a struggle. But I'm trying.

Edit : including an image description that mod bright at @accessfashion did!

[image description: a thirteen panel comic about chronic pain in the artist’s legs.

First, black text reads: “sometimes all of the pain just gets too much”.

Beneath the panel show a pale person sitting and holding onto their thigh with both hands.

Second, text reads: “and I begin wishing that I could just exchange my legs for better ones”.

Panel shows a red book labeled “legs”.

Third, text reads: “maybe I could have a mermaid tail instead”.

Panel shows the book open to pages that show a fish tail and a text bubble that says “so many options”.

Fourth, text reads: “it would be beautiful, and I could spend all my time swimming”.

Panel shows a pale mermaid swimming away, surrounded by sea life.

Fifth, text reads: “but then I wouldn’t be able to leave the water…”

Panel shows a pale centaur facing away from the camera.

Sixth, text reads: “a centaur body would give me twice the number of legs, and I go anywhere I want without a car”.

Panel shows the book with a rearing centaur, but fine print reads: “caution: can’t fit in small areas such as elevators and household doorways”.

Seventh, text reads: “I guess maybe not everywhere”.

Panel shows faun legs with a bubble that reads: “smaller than a centaur! Very nimble!”

Eighth, text reads: “goat legs would be smaller, and I could prance about”.

Panel shows a pale faun standing facing away from the camera.

Ninth, text reads: “but I don’t think I could handle all the extra fur…”

Panel shows snake tails with a bubble that reads: “slithering is the new walking!”

Tenth, text reads: “a snake tail would be really comfortable to sleep with”.

Panel shows a Naga curled up with their tail falling into their face.

Eleventh, text reads: “but I would probably get myself tangled up.”

Panel shows the legs book closed again, next to a boba tea and a cat’s paws.

Twelfth, text reads: “maybe I’m just too picky”.

Panel shows pale legs extended in a bathtub full of pink water.

Thirteenth, text reads: “or maybe I should accept my legs the way they are, pain and all”.

Panel shows the pale legs bent at the knee, a black cat curled up beside them, and two bottles of pills sitting beside them.

End description.]