Blood Donation

Excerpt from the original caption: "Mrs. Chris Sorenson, 4009 W. Thirty-first street, is celebrating a sort of blood donor's silver anniversary -- she made her 25th donation of a pint of blood at the mobile blood unit in St. Louis Park. She has never had any reaction from her giving at various blood banks, and several times has given blood directly to specific people."

About three months ago, I saw information on the news about a blood drive that was being held at the Mall of America the next day. I told myself that I was going to attend the blood bank, but my stomach was in knots about the situation. I texted Ang during that morning, telling her I was nervous. Why was I nervous? No idea. I knew that what I was planning on doing was something that could potentially help someone in need. Due to my visit at the blood bank that Friday morning, I received my 'official' red cross blood drive card. Last week, I received a phone call from red cross asking if I would like to make another donation. I expressed to her that my understanding was that you had to wait a certain amount of time in between. To this I was told that my last donation was 61 days ago and you must only wait 56 days. So I promptly made an appointment for another donation last Friday. I was unable to attend that appointment, but was told by others that it is still more than they do.

I urge everyone to schedule a time to give a blood donation. The basic eligibility requirements to do so are pretty simple. The red cross is able to discuss other situations with you to ensure that you are eligible, such as health conditions, medication, travel, etc.

• Be healthy
• Be at least 17 years old in most states
• Weigh at least 110 pounds

There are four steps to actual donations process. You will start with registration where they will check your identification and have read a short packet of information about the process and basic eligibility issues. Step 2 involves a a mini physical in which they check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood. Once you complete your physical, there can be a short wait to be placed on a donation table and the needle is inserted. Once this is complete the whole process of giving blood usually takes anywhere from 8-10 minutes. Someone will stay with you to ensure that you are comfortable and to chat with you. Every item that is used comes from a new sterile package so there should be no concerns about contamination of any sort. Once your donation is complete, you are given refreshments and 10-15 minutes to sit and make sure you do not feel ill or having any issues.

To set up your appointment to donate call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit their website at http://www.redcrossblood.org.

Granny

 This was originally written on my facebook notes on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 4:03am.

Tonight I stopped at Walgreens to pick up a prescription and walking out of Walgreens I was stopped dead in my tracks at one of the displays. On the end of an aisle was a set up of the porcelain Christmas houses. I was reminded of Granny and her house. I suddenly felt as if I was standing in her dining room staring at the different houses and people set up. It was as if I was not standing in the store but for real standing in her house again, to the point that it smelt like her house and everything. For once this week, I had no cares in the world and all my troubles were gone. There was nothing but me, the little people and these houses all lit up with happy people awaiting Christmas time.

Once I realized that I was in fact standing in Walgreens, I was suddenly sad because it was another reminder of how much I miss her everyday. Granny was not only my grandmother, she was my best friend. Many people, mostly my family member, never understood the relationship that Granny and I had. It was special and unique and I think it was because of the mistakes my dad made when I was younger that allowed for this relationship to develop. The fact that I was taken away from her once was enough and she would not allow this to happen again once we were reunited. She made me feel like I was the most important person in her life, but I know that this was not the case, as she made all her family feel this way. It was how she was. During the years that I felt I hated my dad for all that he put me through, she made sure that she was there for me the most and made sure my ties to the family were strong. She never pushed or prodded when it came to my dad and always told me that it would work itself out, and she was right. She never made me feel bad about loving my step dad as much as I do, instead she accepted him as if he was her family as well. She made sure to let him know that she was proud of him when he became sober because she knew that it was important to me, but at the same time, she never made my dad feel bad about losing his sobriety after so many years because it was a choice he made for himself.

Her death was hardest thing I have ever dealt with in my life. It was sudden but not all that unexpected. I was so pissed off at Mo and dad because I didn’t feel I was informed like I should have been. I called them to find out what size sweater to buy her for Christmas while Christmas shopping and they said to not buy her anything because she was in the hospital and not doing well. She had been there for a day already and I was so pissed that I was not called. But now that I look back I am now longer mad because finding out that way caused me to leave the store immediately- meaning I literally dropped everything at a register and drove straight to the hospital and sat and talked with her for hours. During those hours I fought with a nurse because she needed her diaper changed and they didn’t do it in a timely manner. But most importantly, Granny knew who I was and we talked about life. She told me how proud she was of me and how much she loved me. She talked about when I was born and what she felt the years I was gone from her life. She told me stories she remembered about me that I had forgotten. The last thing she said was- ‘I promised I would live long enough to watch you graduate from college and always remember that I kept that last promise to you.’ Then she said it was time to go to sleep and we kissed one last time. I held her hand for almost an hour while she snored like only Granny snored before I left the hospital. I decided not to go to the hospital the next day when everyone else did, which I feel was the best decision of my life. I have heard how horrible it was to watch her take her last breath and that she didn’t recognize people. I am forever grateful for the last day we had forever.



Granny- I miss you everyday and I love you more everyday. I wish that your promise was to stay until we were all married off and had babies. All of us are doing great things and I know that you are watching us very proudly. You have new great-grand babies to play with and weddings to attend this year and another college graduate coming up in a few years. We all miss you!!!

WOMEN

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

How To Die In Oregon

Plot Summary from IMDb:

In 1994 Oregon became the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. At the time, only Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands had legalized the practice. 'How to Die in Oregon' tell the stories of those most intimately involved with the practice today -- terminally ill Oregonians, their families, doctors, and friends -- as well as the passage of an assisted suicide law in Washington State.

I know that I am a very emotional person, but yet there are times that something catches my eye and I have to see it or read it or whatever. I knew just from seeing a 1 minute trailer for this movie that I needed to see this documentary. Angie and I came across it On Demand the other night and decided to watch it. I was mesmerized and intrigued, and needless to say, glued to the TV for the next two hours- spending the last 30 minutes crying my eyes out.

I could never imagine taking my own life, no matter how bad the situation may seem. My heart aches every time that I hear of someone who has taken their own life. I try to think about what could have caused them so much pain that they saw no other option, but I can never come to a reason. But I know that I could never understand that reason for them because it is not something that I believe in.

BUT... What if I was in the situation of one of those depicted in this movie? Would something like that change my thinking? Would I know "when life is no longer worth living"? Would it come easily to me or would I 'chicken' out if that decision was in front me? There is no way that I could ever answer these questions, because I am not in that situation and would never expect to be.

This movie has made me think about the courage that these people and their families had to have. How do you make a decision as to what your death date will be? How do you say to your loved ones, that no matter what they think is available to you or what treatment options are left, that you have had enough?

This movie is a true depiction of the kind of decisions that one must make at the end of their life. The movie showed a little of both sides, but was more on the side of those who made the choice to end their life. There was only one person shown in the movie who did not go this route. He was (until the movie was made) denied chemotherapy treatment by his insurance company- but they did offer him physician assisted suicide as one of the treatment plans available to him.

What would you do in this situation?

Long time....

It's been a long time since I wrote on this blog. And right now, I am burnt out due to an extremely busy night at work. I promise to update soon as there has been alot going on lately. Everything from a huge financial change, to new condo and in a sense a whole new life.