It's been well over a month since my last post on this. Since then, not a whole lot has gone on. They gave me an additional physical, as well as more blood work, and determined that my health is fine. For those of you who know me, you may find it comical that they found my blood pressure and heart rate to be perfectly normal for an easy going, Type B personality- at least I found it funny, being about as Type A as they come. They took my blood pressure during yesterday's Chiefs game, right about the time they were down 17-0 and I was throwing things at the screen, only to find that it was 102/72.
My donation is Wednesday morning, in Denver. I'll fly out tomorrow evening, and return Thursday evening. They pay for hotel, transportation, and even things like food and room service- and I'm taking my Dad with me...they pay for him too.
Five days prior to the donation, they start injecting a drug called Filgastrim. It raises your erythrocyte (red blood cell) count. It's given subcutaneously (underneathneath your skin, as opposed to in your vein, like an IV, or in your muscle, like a tetanus shot). I had the choice of taking it in the arm, the stomach, or the leg. The injection is 2.6 cc, and since you cannot take more than 2 mL (using those interchangably for those who didn't like chem class) in one site. Thus, I have to take one shot on each side of the body. I just can't get into taking something in my stomach or leg- it makes me feel like a diabetic or something. It does give me new respect for people who get tattoos, though. Anyway, the drug knocks you out. You're off the wall hyper for like a half hour, and then you need a long nap. I have one more day of shots before I give.
I've been told that I'll get to watch the DVD of my choice while giving. It'll probably be either The Godfather, Part II, or one of the Sex and the City seasons- probably the former. More updates to follow.
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