Blood Donation

Yesterday I had to take my weight measurement and that triggered the memory of the last time I took my weight.

I think it was the last time I donated blood in early Oct 2008, just weeks before my discovery of the lump. Weighing is necessary to know how much blood can be drawn. I don't weigh each time I go, only when I'm asked to. Then, my weight was 54kg.

On 12 Dec 2008, when I got the diagnosis, I asked the oncologist, what about the blood that I've donated. I don't know how long blood can be kept. She explained that there are no markers to indicate that there are cancer cells in the blood for my type of cancer. I took it to mean it's a good thing that it's not present in the blood to be detected. She explained a bit more about markers and I arrived at the conclusion that there's no way I will know if I'm 100% cured or if I already am. Markers are present for certain types of cancers and even then, it's not a guarantee. Meaning, if it's not there, it doesn't mean there's no cancer. I also realised that this would be when I trust God to have healed me completely :-)

That long afternoon, after SOC consultation, oncologist consultation and radiologist consultation, I walked down the slope to the train station and detoured to HSA. I had to do my part to inform them. The nurse let me see the doctor almost immediately. Initially I thought he was a bit insensitive 'cos he kept repeating that I can't donate blood anymore (which made me sad for a while) till he mentioned that, don't worry, this is curable. Yeah!

I've been donating blood for a few years now. I'm elated each time I'm able to 'cos it was a confirmation of God's gift of good health. Even when I can't donate blood now, I'm learning another facet of God's love - to trust that He loves me and will heal me.

Dear Person-reading-this-blog, if you're able to, please go donate blood. Thank you, in advance :-)

• It doesn't hurt other than the local anaesthesia.
  
• It doesn't take long either 'cos the actual drawing of blood is only minutes for whole blood.
  
• It does a whole lot of good for those who need the blood.
• The nurses there are super-friendly and very gentle.
• While I don't participate in the family events, there was a picnic/movie at Esplanade park, sand-castle building at East Coast etc.
• I also get other freebies like umbrella (which I didn't collect), calendar, notebook, Risis pendant (which I didn't collect). There's a fine line between advertising to get more donors and boasting that I can. I don't want to cross that line.
  
• You get free iron tablets, free drink and snack at the cafe.
• You also get a free squeezie and a really cool band at your elbow.
• It's only every 12 weeks, or longer if you like.
  
• It's a reminder that God gives good health.

BTW, my weight yesterday was 51.4kg. I lost a bit of weight recently due to change of appetite, exercising by piggy-backing Toby in Hong Kong and pushing the wheelchair up and down the slopes in Ocean Park, stairs even. Hahaha, memorable times.