"You're only a small girl"

I donated plasma for the first time last night. I was hoping that this would become a regular donation but it seems that after last night, it will be my first and last. *disappointed*

I've donated blood many times before, without a problem (well, almost) and I figured that this would be no issue as well. It would take three times longer but how bad could it be? It had started off pretty good, I was watching the machine draw out my blood and seperating the plasma in the clear bag hanging off the machine. It was a yellowish liquid (didn't look like it was something that would be in my blood). So, the first two cycles was fine then I started to feel a little light headed on the final cycle. I began to feel dizzy and a bit hot. Was not good. I was about to call the nurse, but I thought maybe just a sip of water and a couple of deep breaths should get me through. It felt like it did. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you want to look at it) a nurse saw me from across the room and started running towards me

"are you feeling ok?"
"yes, I feel fine"
"Are you sure?"
"yes"
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"well...I was feeling a bit faint befo...."

Before I knew it, I had three nurses around me, one had my legs up in the air, the other adjusting the seat so that I was lying down and another throwing a cold pack on my head and checking my blood pressure. I was so embrassed. I honestly felt fine. I could feel everyone in the room watching me.

"She's lost all colour in her face!"
"oh my! yes that's definitely not right!"
"She didn't seem ok when she came in"

Ok, so I may have been tired from work. I should have ate before I donated, but I was running late already. I did though, drink a lot of water (which in turn, made me want to run to the bathroom every 30mins, especially when they had me tied down in the bed...and by the way, I was there for an hour, one excruciating hour for my poor bladder...).

I was at the donor centre for 3 hours all up. I really did just want to go home. I felt tired, but they just wouldn't have it. Made me stay, drink heaps of fluids and gave me a cabcharge card to get me home safely. They were all very nice and helpful, so helpful they took every precaution to make sure that I was 100% Ok. They even escorted me out to the taxi stand to make sure that I was in the taxi and that I didn't try to catch the train (which, to be honest, I would have). I was very suprised at the whole reaction, I mean, they could have just let me go, but the nurse stayed with me even though it was way past closing time and they were all so tired. Im greatful.

I did end up giving a full donation, I was very relieved. I would have been very disappointed in myself if I couldn' finish my donation. Also two other girls fainted consecutively whilst I was there. It made me feel a bit better about myself. Ha.