The Gift of Life

Joyce and I recently did a thing.

I tell you that NOT because we're looking for your praise.
Or, NOT because we're all that and a bag of Doritos.
Just sayin' because we feel good about it and wanted you to know.

In Blog posts of late, I've let it slip that my brother is dealing with some health issues, are Uber stoked to report that he appears to have them in his rearview mirror, but for the sake of clarity, know that the road to this point was fraught with rocks, ruts, and sinkholes.

One of the things that was required to traverse the path past these obstacles were a few blood transfusions, partly due to low RBC/WBC issues but also some electrolyte issues, most thanks to the villainous treatments he endured in the pursuit of beating his affliction. Joyce, God bless her, felt strongly that we should help his plight ... and the plight of thousands ... by donating blood, and in a very small way do our part in making the necessities required to recover readily available, recognizing of course that our little bit is only a start. We've agreed that we'll keep this up as long as we're able.

I used to donate somewhat regularly a few short years ago, then the pandemic hit, retirement happened, moving communities occurred ... twice ... so donating was pushed to the back burner. Shame on me for letting that happen, but it was sadly very easy to do thanks to the inconvenience involved in the process of locating a donation center in the local area, scheduling an appointment, prepping the body for the inevitable volume loss, and enduring the actual process. 

Still, shame on me. It is after all, the Gift of Life.

I don't have any issues with needles or medical procedures, but the whole donation process is out of the norm, and as such, a little intimidating. That feeling was augmented when one of the "Gifters" ahead of me had an adverse reaction that resulted in needing extra attention. If you've not yet chosen to donate, know that the staff and facilities in Barrie's donation centre are top notch, doing everything humanly possible to make the entire affair stress free and painless. Even with a background that includes regular exposure to medical procedures and information, the gurgly-stomach, clammy-skinned response of anxiety still appears.

My beautiful bestie has self-diagnosed "White Coat Syndrome", a gift she shared with our daughter, and this was her first time donating.

If you've never heard of this, in its essence it's a irrational fear of doctors, nurses, and medical procedures. I only use the word irrational because they both know it's going to happen, don't wish it to happen, are powerless to keep it from happening, and are victimized by the fallout of it happening. In Joyce's case, it manifests in higher than normal blood pressure and a case of the cold sweats. In our daughter's case, it's the same plus the unpleasant ramifications of shock-like symptoms afterward.

Now, before you get all concerned about it, Joyce passed the test with flying colours! 

Yes, still afflicted by the BP issues, but the clamminess was basically non-existent, and she sailed through the process like a trooper. Even better, she informed me with huge smile wrinkles around her eyes ... she was wearing a mask, after all ... that she was forced to have a bag of life-giving salty potato chips as recovery. Donning my own mischievous grin, I replied that she has just cause to make a two-fer, but she politely declined, the welfare of others forefront in her mind. Always thinking of others, that one.

As a side note, my poison was pretzels, but I topped it off with a granola bar, just in case I felt peeked.

The Canadian Blood Services say that they are in dire need of donations, especially specific blood types like B- and O+, according to the literature on the snack table. If you've fallen out of the habit like me, or you wish to start something new like Joyce, we both highly encourage visiting the Barrie office on Bayview, right across the street from Innisdale SS, or look up the nearest donation centre in your part of the world. 

As the slogan goes, "It's IN you to GIVE!"