*Warning* - Somewhat gruesome/bloody pics! -
I started as a regular blood donation. I have been donating blood pretty regularly since I turned 18. I had even continued my donation while in the US, with Liz.
My sis had turned 18 not ago and was able to donate without consent and I was about 2 mths due for a donation. After dropping my mom off at Raffles Place, my sis and I made out way down to Outram where the blood bank was located.
---
The sticker that was given to my sis for being a first time blood donor.
Everything went smoothly ... when they took my temperature, she commented that it was slightly higher but when I told her I felt fine, she said it was prob bcos I just walked in from the sun.
My sis was already in the room getting ready for her donation when I arrived but I got done earlier and made my way outside to get my donor card. I have always been a fast bleeder so I did not think it was unusual that I was done first.
My sis got done soon after and she said she need to go to the ladies to wash her jeans.
---
My sis's jeans that got a little blood when she accidentally wiped her pricked finger on it.
The next sequence of events are a little muggy ....
Anyway, I went to the ladies with my sis and I could remember was telling my sis that I felt a little dizzy. Next thing I knew, ppl we lifting me up and asking me if I could stand. I remember licking my lip and feeling an awful gash ... that was the last time I licked them.
A doctor/nurse started asking my questions. Think they asked me my name which I could answer but when it came to my age, my mind was a blank. I seriously could not remember my age, I wasn't faking. I remembered thinking and thinking but I just could not come up with an answer ... I wonder if the person thought I was just too shy to reveal it.
---
Had an ice pack on my lips, waiting for the ambulance. The Singapore General Hospital was just next door but they still needed an ambulance to drive me to the A&E.
---
The cut on my upper lip. I had a bloody nose too and my nostrils were filled with dried blood.
---
Inside the ambulance. I did not lay on the stretcher but was seated.
---
More shots of the inside.
---
Where my sis had to wait for me ....
I was there for the longest time and I started to get a really horrible headache. I had to keep my eyes closed as the lights were driving me nuts!
Finally a Dr. came to ask me questions and I repeated everything my sis had said had happened.They asked if I have had a tetanus shot and I said not ... next thing, I was jabbed on other side of my elbow (what's opposite of elbow?) I had kept my eyes closed so did not know what was going on. She then asked if I could walk and I told her no, as I was feeling dizzy. She then said that she would bring a bedpan to me as she needed a urine sample.
That woke me right up! I did not want to go in a bedpan! I told her that if she would to ask my sis to help me, I could make it to the ladies. She then said that she would get a nurse to help. The short walk to the ladies was slow but I made it there, did my deed and returned to my bed.
It was then time to have my x-rays taken. They wanted to make sure that I did not break any facial bones. Yes, everyone of u are thinking,
"OMG, what about all her earrings and ...."
I told them that I had too many earrings to take out and some of them had to require tools to remove. A male nurse looked and then said, if it just facial, the the earring could stay in.
I breathed a sigh of relief. But I told them I would remove my tongue ring. I had to take 3 x-rays and then was rolled back into the waiting area. Within 10 mins, but AFTER I had painstakingly screwed in my ring back, the nurse came back in and asked if I had moved during the x-ray cos one of them was blur.
GROAN!
I don't recall moving and I would not have done it on purpose! He asked if I would mind taking another x-ray ... do I really have a choice? Went in, took out my ring and kept still ... I made sure I was as still as a log!
It was back to the waiting area. Two nurses came to me and asked if I had my shot ... Yes, I told them. There was a moment of confusion as they had no record of giving me a shot but then I had told them that they did. It was only after a few exchanges that I realized that the first "shot" that was given was actually to draw blood.
Damn, I was really out of it! Anyways, shouldn't they have kept better track of things? Why ask when they know I have not had one? So they finally gave me a tetanus shot, which hurt like hell, on my upper arm and medication for my headache.
Within 5 mins I started to get queasy. I could feel my stomach juices churning and coming up. I set up and tried to get the attention of someone but most just ignored me. Finally a lady nurse saw me and I motioned that I was going to puke. She then leisurely walked to a drawer to get me a barf bag. Luckily I managed to keep it in and puked just as she opened it bag. I think I would have been very embarrassed if I had made a mess.
After another wait, they rolled me into an operating room to get my lip stitched up. It was done by this really young Dr. He could not have been more than 35. He asked me to rinse out my mouth, gave me a anesthetic shot and then proceeded to stitch my lip. I did not feel pain but could feel the sewing. Could not see the Dr. doing it as there was a bright light shining on me which made me close my eyes. I think the light has dual purpose, to light the surgical area and also to keep the patient's eyes close. I think Drs get performance anxiety :)
They then pushed me to the observation area to rest for a little and it was then that my sis could see me.
---
My bed number with this really cute coconut tree. I kept wondering what it was as I had also seen it on other ppl's beds. I told my sis it meant that I was not a risk, not impt, that I was here on vacation :) However, I found out later that it was a "Falling Tree" and that I was a "fall precaution"
It was then then I saw the time and it was already 10+pm. I had been in there for more than 5hrs! After the nurse told me I could leave anytime I felt ready, my sis called my mom to come pick us up.
---
My busted lip with 6 stitches .... the Dr said my gum was split too but I have not really looked at it. It hurts but I have medication to help but now I can hardly open my mouth. My sis has been cutting my food up into baby pieces and I have been eating very carefully.---
Casualty of War .... my COACH bag :(
---
A few more other spots. Managed to get most of it out but thank god its on the side that I carry towards me. And it could have been worse!
---
My jeans ... can u imagine that huge patch on my bag?
---
All the medication ... cream for my lip, antibiotics, 2 types of aspirin/panadol and another pill for my puking.
Was supposed to go out for lunch with Evon and Shanice on Fri but now I have to cancel. Disappointed but u can't blame me, plus, maybe it good cos it would mean NOT eating! :)
Have to go back on Mon to get my stitches out and then next mth about my blood work. Apparently, my haemoglobin and platelet count is low, but the Dr. did say it could be due to the fact that I just donated blood. Will keep u guys posted ....
I'm feeling a lot better! Thanks for all the concern!
