The Voice in My Head

I listened to that voice that told me to donate blood and get bone marrow testing. I waited 2 hours in the local Red Cross with about 50 other people at any given time to be tested for a match to the police officer. Everyone seemed quite relaxed and even I didn't get the butterflies I normally would get before a bout of self-inflicted pain. There were many State Troopers in line to help a friend. I chose to also donate the pint of blood that would waive my $45.00 fee for the testing. You know, it wasn't really that bad at all. I went in with a good attitude and everyone was so nice. The guy taking my history was jovial and kept calling me "m'lady", most likely because I was one of the youngest women in there. Its a shame that more younger people don't donate. I never have before out of fear of the unknown but I definitely will again. The finger prick to determine my iron content hurt more than the actual drawing of blood! I did get a bit light-headed at the end when it was over and they had to practically tip me upside down but it only lasted a few minutes. A little apple juice later and I was feeling fine.

Pain is so relative. It has been proven that if one is listening to music that they enjoy while they are undergoing surgery and after in recovery, they need almost 1/2 as much pain medication as if they had listened to nothing at all. What gets me through a lot of the time is knowing that it will be temporary and that tomorrow I won't even notice it. The fear of the needle intensifies what probably would be comparable to a mosquito bite into something to be dreaded. I just don't look while they do it! After having 2 kids and 3 tattoos I think I have felt all the pain there
is to feel! If I can handle that, I can handle anything. I think the most painful thing I have ever felt is the tattoo on my neck. Damn that stung around the edges! I didn't cry though. That reminds me I need to get that finished...