> I've never given blood for several reasons:
>
> a) I think I would pass out, and I don't like doing that. I got a shot in high school, and it was no big deal. It hardly hurt, and then they had me sit there for about 10 minutes to make sure I was okay. I got up, walked out into the crowded hallway, and suddenly could not see anything. I vaguely remember willing myself to not fall over, and I somehow made it to my locker. I don't know what happened after that. Similarly, I regularly get a head rush when I stand up after sitting for awhile, and I can't imagine what would happen if I did that after they had just sucked a pint of blood out of me. (Sean learned a long time ago to be ready to catch me when I stand up after watching a movie in the theatre.)

My wife has a similar problem, when she gets stuck with needles. She just doesn't do very well when it comes to getting shots or having blood drawn. I think she got a little better with it during her pregnancy, because she had to have a blood sample taken every time she went to see her obstetrician.

She had a very bad experience once that may have contributed some to her problem. She was supposed to be having some sort of test done that required a shot, and the hospital had an inexperienced intern give her the shot. She (the intern) couldn't find a vein in one arm, and poked her a couple times before trying the other arm. She actually broke the needle off *in* my wife's arm when she tried that one. It hurt so badly that she passed out on the table. This happened when my wife was still in high school, before we met.

> b) I don't think my iron count is anywhere near the right level. I slacked off on vitamins a long time ago, and I don't eat very well.

Neither do I. The only vitamin I take is C, and only when I have a cold or am in danger of getting one. Don't laugh, I'm not being superstitious; it works. Echinacea is good too.

> c) I almost did give blood one time because they were giving out free oil changes to donors, but my mom freaked me out by telling me that she couldn't watch while my blood oozed into a clear bag next to me. Ewwww!!! No thanks.

Hmmm. I don't know if this would bother me. I've watched the little blood sample vial fill up with my blood before and that hasn't phased me. But a mondo huge bag? I don't know.

My suggestion would be, if this bothers you...just don't look at it. Look the other way and think about something pleasant, like fresh-baked bread or amber waves of grain or the ocean.

> Ell"I like the new way of previewing the messages--when I remember it's there!"myruh

Gri"I likes it too"shny