#28 done and over it

#28 donate blood (do BEFORE #23)

1st chair on the left, that's me!

Looks oh-so-typical right?


Wrong.


I mean, it is me we're talking about here. This experience could not have been more absurd if I had scripted the darn thing!


For starters, I was on a schedule. My appointment was at 2:15 pm. When I signed up, I explained that I needed to be out of there by 3 o'clock. She assured me that was no problem (the event didn't even start until 2pm), I just needed to arrive about 10 minutes to 2 and I would be the first one there.


I was #6.


But that was okay-ish.


Then they did all the registration & medical evaluation business.


heart rate: 100 (acceptable)
hemoglobin: 15.x (outstanding)
blood pressure: 122/92 (YIKES, but allowed)


Off the record, the lab guy said, "Go see your doctor."


Well, at least I could donate.


Then the lovely lady in the white coat who totally smelled of cigarettes leads me to my stylish recliner and examines my veins. This careful look-over is followed by, "So, do they usually have to do the blood pressure cuff on you?"


Um, excuse me?


I don't even know what we're talking about at this point.


She elaborates by saying, "Hmm, I think I see a vein."


No lie, it took LONGER to find a vein and stick me successfully, then it did to give the actual blood donation.


After chasing my vein (her words, not mine) three times, the lady in white went for help. Wouldn't you know it, right about then they found the vein. I suspect it was my body saying, "I give in, I give in!"


Honestly, it was comical. I'll have a bruise from out of this world tomorrow, but I know my veins and expected as much.


All that vein-chasing drama delayed us so much that I left the room a mere 5 minutes before 3pm (bypassing the canteen all together, but you know, sometimes it's just like that okay?).


Now here's where the story really gets interesting.


My rock star older sister had kept my three littlest ones busy while I was assaulted assisted by the  lady in white. I couldn't find her when everything was said and done, so I checked the bathroom.


Oh, how I wish I hadn't.


My not quite two and a half year old had gotten a wee bit zealous during her trip to the potty and  well....


folks,


there was POO everywhere.


We're talking potty seat, floor, her dress, etc.


That was ridiculous and set us back time wise.


But we made it the van in record time...and it was at this point that I realized I didn't have my cell phone (you know, that device that keeps me reachable in case something unexpected happens, like I'm running late...).


Naturally, I dumped my purse contents into the passenger seat, stripped the infant carrier and practically violated my stroller looking for the phone only to find it back inside, on the bathroom counter.


Now, I was late.


Trying not to hyperventilate or vomit on the drive home, I greeted my first and third grader coming off the bus on the opposite side of the neighborhood...safely staying with a neighbor after they discovered I had abandoned them.


And now, well, now, my list is a little shorter and my headache, a lot bigger.


Note to self: Giving back to the community is sometimes harder than it looks.