Platelets
Posted by Patrick on Thursday, April 22, 2004On monday, I headed back over to the Plantation Street, Worcester Red Cross Center and got jabbed with needles again. This time I gave platelets, which are the little chunks in your blood that clot when you bleed. Got stuff, everybody needs them.
When I gave a pint back in February, I got a letter back saying I had oodles of platelets, so I called an made an appointment for Apheresis. The process is a little crazy, but it was quality time with good Karma.
First, they ask you a million questions, which is normal for blood donation. Then they sit you in the super Apheresis chair next to the blood seperating machine. They jab you in one arm (which sucks the blood out and takes the platelets out) and then they jab you in the other arm (and that puts the blood back in).
It took just about two hours for the whole process, which is 2x as long as blood donation, at least. The nurses brought over a dvd player and tv, and let me watch "Bad Boys 2" whilst the machine did it's swirling beeping blood thing.
Pro's: People who need platelets get the very platelets they need. Two peaceful hours, with the full attention of a staff of nurses. Plus, cookies and movie time.
Con's: Repeated stab wounds in the arm, funky numb feelings in your lips and nose (due to the anti-coagulant they put in your blood), lots of time, and apparently pizza isn't an everyday thing.
I'd do it again.
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