Beanstalk of Flourish

[ismo]

Color me greatly disappointed, although still rosy with my full complement of blood cells. We thought we were going to do something useful today by giving blood. We showed up at 4:30, rather late in the day for the blood drive. My German friend who takes care of the snack and water table greeted us. She said it was nice to see us because they'd only had two donors all day. We were hoping to double that number. However, it turns out that the membrane they placed over the Sparrowhawk's cornea while it was healing is considered in the same category with a skin graft. So he has to wait for a year before he can donate again. He was quite crestfallen. And then they centrifuged my sample and determined that my hematocrit was only 35. Three points short of acceptable. So I couldn't donate either. Waah! They gave us each a nice little stainless steel thermal cup anyway. They were offering them as gifts. I guess they were supposed to attract more donors, but given that no one showed up, they had them to spare. I don't get why more people don't come to this particular blood drive. I understand why it would be hard to donate if you were sick, poor, or lacking transportation. But there are literally thousands of healthy young professional people within walking distance of this place. And yet the only people I see there are old folks like us, and the occasional nerd--again like us. I guess all the doctors, lawyers, and insurance executives are too busy.

The Sparrowhawk had another revisit with the eye surgeon this morning. She said his eye is healing up very nicely, but is still in the process of attaining its final form. Then he'll have to get a new glasses prescription. And then, once he can see clearly out of the right eye, she says she really feels they should do the same procedure on his left. Sigh. Not looking forward to that!

While he was at the doctor, I went for a walk. It was too hot again. The day was visually beautiful--clear sky, towering clouds, green leaves--but I can only enjoy it from a distance. I wish I were made of more heat resistant material, but there it is.

Comments

[oracne]

At least if they do the other eye, you'll know to bug them about getting the pain meds ahead of time.

[queenoftheskies]

How sad.

I can sympathize. I was heartbroken when they told me I'd never be able to donate again. :(