Sunday, June 21, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Why I Can't Donate Blood Anymore
Sadly, I am now unable to donate blood.
As probably only a couple of people in the world know, I was a big believer in donating blood. What a gift to give your fellow man! Also, you got treats for doing it - win/win in my books!
You can only donate every 56 days or so (I think - hang on a sec, let me look that up) - ok yes, every 56 days for whole blood. This is so your body can replenish itself completely.
Anywho, the last time I tried to donate - my iron was low and I didn't qualify for donation. The clerk told me that if I DID donate that day, I'd be so woozy and wouldn't be able to drive home. So that was that. Also, they told me I should get a doctor's appointment to check that. I thought "hmmmm", interesting.
So about a month later, I got around to making that doctor's appointment. I had a blood test and came back for the results. My doctor said "you don't have any iron". LOL not kidding!
He asked me if I was tired all the time and I said "yes, but I work full time and have a little girl - who wouldn't be tired?". OK so I will admit, looking back, I was kind of like a zombie but I guess I had a good outlook on life and figured the fatigue was part of the season of having a young child.
The doctor told me I had to go get an intravenous iron transfusion and take iron tablets for a few months (super extra high iron ones - and those bad boys were expensive!). He also said that if I kept donating blood, I was risking becoming anemic and I would have to do the iron transfusion after each donation.
I realized that keeping myself super healthy for my daughter's sake was more important than giving my blood away (even though I have super pure gold blood and it went to premature babies - I like to think that the holy spirit flowing through me makes my blood extra special awesome, but that could be all in my head - I have super power blood like spiderman and my gift of discernment works kind of like spiderman - well just one of the ways, lol - it sounds funny, but I'm not joking about that!). Maybe I will blog about my gifts of the spirit one of these days, people need to hear it because it's real - I am a devil killer - and now I am really getting off topic - back to the blood!
I went and had my iron transfusion (which was nice - I got to lay on a bed for 3 hours and play on my ipad), and could not get over how much more energy I got from that LOL. Wow, I really WAS depleted!
I took the pills for a while, and now am back to good iron status (I think - I will get another test in a few weeks).
If you want to see me donate blood from start to finish - I have a previous blog post about it - pictures and all!
So, if you are able to donate blood - you really should! Think of the lives you help :) While I have your attention - you should know how to get to heaven - click this link, pray this prayer and stay out of HELL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7xSw21YusI
As probably only a couple of people in the world know, I was a big believer in donating blood. What a gift to give your fellow man! Also, you got treats for doing it - win/win in my books!
You can only donate every 56 days or so (I think - hang on a sec, let me look that up) - ok yes, every 56 days for whole blood. This is so your body can replenish itself completely.
Anywho, the last time I tried to donate - my iron was low and I didn't qualify for donation. The clerk told me that if I DID donate that day, I'd be so woozy and wouldn't be able to drive home. So that was that. Also, they told me I should get a doctor's appointment to check that. I thought "hmmmm", interesting.
So about a month later, I got around to making that doctor's appointment. I had a blood test and came back for the results. My doctor said "you don't have any iron". LOL not kidding!
He asked me if I was tired all the time and I said "yes, but I work full time and have a little girl - who wouldn't be tired?". OK so I will admit, looking back, I was kind of like a zombie but I guess I had a good outlook on life and figured the fatigue was part of the season of having a young child.
The doctor told me I had to go get an intravenous iron transfusion and take iron tablets for a few months (super extra high iron ones - and those bad boys were expensive!). He also said that if I kept donating blood, I was risking becoming anemic and I would have to do the iron transfusion after each donation.
I realized that keeping myself super healthy for my daughter's sake was more important than giving my blood away (even though I have super pure gold blood and it went to premature babies - I like to think that the holy spirit flowing through me makes my blood extra special awesome, but that could be all in my head - I have super power blood like spiderman and my gift of discernment works kind of like spiderman - well just one of the ways, lol - it sounds funny, but I'm not joking about that!). Maybe I will blog about my gifts of the spirit one of these days, people need to hear it because it's real - I am a devil killer - and now I am really getting off topic - back to the blood!
I went and had my iron transfusion (which was nice - I got to lay on a bed for 3 hours and play on my ipad), and could not get over how much more energy I got from that LOL. Wow, I really WAS depleted!
I took the pills for a while, and now am back to good iron status (I think - I will get another test in a few weeks).
If you want to see me donate blood from start to finish - I have a previous blog post about it - pictures and all!
So, if you are able to donate blood - you really should! Think of the lives you help :) While I have your attention - you should know how to get to heaven - click this link, pray this prayer and stay out of HELL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7xSw21YusI
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Why I Donate Blood
I think donating blood is a beautiful thing to do. It's something you do just because you believe in it. To know that the blood in your vessels can save someone's precious life is kind of amazing, right?
I really only started donating recently when I found out my blood type was one of the rare ones (not THE most rare, but only 7% of Canadians have it - O negative). My daughter and husband are O negative too, and we O negs can only receive O neg blood, so I thought "hmmmmm I should add to the stockpile for people who also are O negs". O negative blood, when in short supply, impacts emergencies, and also elective surgeries. They cancel them if they don't have enough O negative blood - because their O negative patients HAVE to have it, they can't receive other blood types.
O negative is also the universal donor type. Everybody can receive O negative blood, which is useful in a emergency situation!
I thought I'd walk you through my blood donation, so you can see if maybe it's something you'd consider doing too. They call it the Gift of Life!
I also am a baby donor. My blood is CMV (cytomegalovirus) negative, which means I've never been exposed to the CMV virus. Only 20% of Canadians are like this. This means my blood goes straight to sick, premature babies. Seriously, I get choked up thinking about it. It also motivates me to keep donating, as often as I can (every 56 days you are eligible - it takes that long for your red blood cells to replace themselves).
I really only started donating recently when I found out my blood type was one of the rare ones (not THE most rare, but only 7% of Canadians have it - O negative). My daughter and husband are O negative too, and we O negs can only receive O neg blood, so I thought "hmmmmm I should add to the stockpile for people who also are O negs". O negative blood, when in short supply, impacts emergencies, and also elective surgeries. They cancel them if they don't have enough O negative blood - because their O negative patients HAVE to have it, they can't receive other blood types.
O negative is also the universal donor type. Everybody can receive O negative blood, which is useful in a emergency situation!
I thought I'd walk you through my blood donation, so you can see if maybe it's something you'd consider doing too. They call it the Gift of Life!
I also am a baby donor. My blood is CMV (cytomegalovirus) negative, which means I've never been exposed to the CMV virus. Only 20% of Canadians are like this. This means my blood goes straight to sick, premature babies. Seriously, I get choked up thinking about it. It also motivates me to keep donating, as often as I can (every 56 days you are eligible - it takes that long for your red blood cells to replace themselves).
here we are - at this point, I have spent the past 2 days drinking water like crazy, it really helps boost your blood volume and makes your donation go smoothly
First, they prick your finger to get a quick test of your blood iron levels - you have to have high enough levels to donate
Next, you fill out some paperwork - this is very important to assess your health and eligibility to donate - it protects everyone, it's a good thing :)
Then you head into a small room for a one on one chat with a nurse. You will get your temperature and blood pressure taken. They will also ask you some very personal questions, but again - it's important for the health of the recipients and protects everyone.
You are left alone to place a Yes or No sticker on your donation papers. This is because some people want an anonymous HIV test, and are not there to donate.
At this point, I am all set to donate - here are all the bags and tubes - fun right? lol
Ok I am almost ready - here's a picture of the thingey that holds the blood bag (if I'm getting too technical on you, sorry - I am a medical professional type person, lol)
In this picture, I am hooked up and the blood is flowing into the bag and vials (they take a few vials for testing first). The only discomfort is the small pick when they put the needle in. The rest of the donation is painless and done in less than 15 minutes. Plus, you can watch TV!
Ta-da! Here I am!
It's really not a big deal :) After you are done, you chill in your "spa" chair for 5 minutes, holding some gauze to the wound site (you're letting your platelets do their job of clotting - go go go platelets!). I tell you, we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made, thanks God!
When you are done, you get food!! Here I am having chicken noodle soup, and cookies. There were other options to choose from, and the volunteers who serve you are super nice and friendly!
here's a shot of a spa chair, lol! looks comfy, right?
that's it, in a nutshell - think you're up for it?
Sunday, March 30, 2014
NOAH - Movie Review
I went to see the Noah movie yesterday. Let me begin first by saying - I had read other reviews and knew what to expect. I went in with my eyes open - it wouldn't be the correct portrayal. To be honest, I liked it.
I liked it because I didn't have high expectations about it.
Lots of my friends are offended by it, saying that was the worst - movie - ever - on and on. But what you have to know before watching it is - I don't think it was made by Christians, but I could be wrong. They made up stuff to make the story better for Hollywood - crazy stuff - untrue stuff. I personally think the Bible version is just fine as is, but that's my opinion and nothing else.
What was positive about it?
1 - big hollywood stars, big hollywood budget for a BIBLE story - awesome
2 - the story did keep to the point - wicked world got wiped out - good prevailed over evil
I liked it because I didn't have high expectations about it.
Lots of my friends are offended by it, saying that was the worst - movie - ever - on and on. But what you have to know before watching it is - I don't think it was made by Christians, but I could be wrong. They made up stuff to make the story better for Hollywood - crazy stuff - untrue stuff. I personally think the Bible version is just fine as is, but that's my opinion and nothing else.
What was positive about it?
1 - big hollywood stars, big hollywood budget for a BIBLE story - awesome
2 - the story did keep to the point - wicked world got wiped out - good prevailed over evil
Friday, March 14, 2014
Cook & Freeze Mashed Potatoes To Add Joy to Your Life!
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| Small batch of previously cooked mashed potatoes - frozen and waiting for the microwave! |
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| I throw chives in - usually I have done this while I originally made the potatoes, but I forgot last time LOL. Throw 'em in after nuking and give a stir! |
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| You would never know these were previously frozen. The taste and texture are like they were fresh. I have served these to family and guests and everyone has agreed that they come back to life beautifully. How to make these? Simple - make mashed potatoes, any way you like. I boil them, drain the water, add milk & margarine to taste, add chives (I use freeze dried, they work really well), and mash them up to the consistency you like. Put them in plastic containers (I try to make them the size I think would serve one family meal) and throw those bad boys in the freezer. Booyah! |
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Cook & Freeze Hamburger to Make Weeknight Suppers Easier
Friday, February 28, 2014
No Easter Bunny, No Santa Claus, No Tooth Fairy
I expect take a LOT of flak for this. From pretty much everyone. I've already gotten a "what?" look from one of my daughter's daycare teachers. She asked my daughter if Santa came to visit her, and she said no, we celebrated Jesus - and she got tons of presents!
I just can't look my daughter in the eye and tell her a bold faced lie that Santa, the Elf on the Shelf, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are real. I can't do it.
Cause if I do, how can I expect her to trust me when I tell her that Jesus is real? Think about it.
I want her to trust that I'll never lie to her. Lying is big - I try not to lie. I know that's nearly impossible, but I still strive for it. Even if it means telling somebody something they don't want to hear, or facing a toddler meltdown. I'm willing to take it.
ALSO, lying is breaking one of the 10 Commandments - Exodus 20:16
16 w“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
My daughter comes home from daycare, and I have to undo the programming that she got that day, lol. No, honey, Santa's just for fun - like Elmo - we pretend Santa just to have some fun.
It's all about Jesus - we celebrate Jesus! Savior of the world!
When I tell my daughter about why we have these holidays, I picture Jesus watching me and how He'd react if I started the old Santa/Easter Bunny trick. I would imagine Him doing a facepalm, lol.
That's it, in a nutshell. I can't continue the lie - even if it's fun - lots of sin is fun for a while, but it's a big ole trap by Satan, and he just wants to destroy our lives. This is how my parent's raised me, and I have huge respect for them as a result.
I just can't look my daughter in the eye and tell her a bold faced lie that Santa, the Elf on the Shelf, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are real. I can't do it.
Cause if I do, how can I expect her to trust me when I tell her that Jesus is real? Think about it.
I want her to trust that I'll never lie to her. Lying is big - I try not to lie. I know that's nearly impossible, but I still strive for it. Even if it means telling somebody something they don't want to hear, or facing a toddler meltdown. I'm willing to take it.
ALSO, lying is breaking one of the 10 Commandments - Exodus 20:16
16 w“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
It's all about Jesus - we celebrate Jesus! Savior of the world!
When I tell my daughter about why we have these holidays, I picture Jesus watching me and how He'd react if I started the old Santa/Easter Bunny trick. I would imagine Him doing a facepalm, lol.
That's it, in a nutshell. I can't continue the lie - even if it's fun - lots of sin is fun for a while, but it's a big ole trap by Satan, and he just wants to destroy our lives. This is how my parent's raised me, and I have huge respect for them as a result.
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