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Feb. 20th, 2020 06:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsIt was a long day yesterday.
I had an appointment at the blood place in Newcastle and needed to be there just after 10. I always found it hard to get appointments at the mobile blood places in town, so it's just easier to go to the big permanent centre, and have done so since my second appointment. Yesterday was my tenth donation, which I know isn't much compared to some people but was significant to me, and would also mean I'll be sent a new blood donor card in a different colour, which isn't much but as you don't get recognised again until the 50 donation mark, I'll be waiting for a long time before the next thing.
After my op I said I wanted to give back in some way and this was my way, so I felt good going in for my donation. Plus, I'd been asked if I'd take part in a trial focussing on genetics and the way blood donors are treated, so I'd opted into this and would have to give extra blood during the session. Then they couldn't get a full bag.
This has never happened in any session or any times I've had to give blood for any tests. They got 85% of the bag and the trial blood, then it just stopped and wouldn't start again despite a reposition. I do think the initial needle was positioned wrong as it hurt a lot more than usual, but they could only reposition once, so after that I was done. I asked if it was a failed donation but apparently while it couldn't be hung as a bag for a person needing blood, it would be used for platelets, so that's better than nothing.
Then I got a congratulations email from the blood donor service this morning which made me feel better.
After that, we had a walk along the quayside at Newcastle as we had a few hours to kill before picking up my niece and nephew as my SIL was at contact and my MiL had to go to the doctors. James was also at the doctor's but I just hung in the play corner of our doctors with the kids when he went in and they were really good. Plus, his blood pressure is now at the top end of normal which is great.
We took them to the play park after that but it was cold and wet with puddles under the swings and slide, plus, teenagers had taken over the equipment so it just wasn't fun to be there, so we gave in and took them for a Happy Meal at McDonald's instead. Where there was the most grumpy employee ever. She was in a temper with herself and while emptying rubbish in the bin was slamming it in and muttering about how people couldn't put rubbish in there properly and I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if she snapped and launched a tray at someone's head.
Then, after we dropped the kids off and came home someone had parked in front of our garage so James couldn't park up. He went off on a detective hunt trying to find the guilty party from the neighbours because while there are multiple parking spots next to the garages they're all unofficially claimed by the people living around the square, so parking in one would lead to raised eyebrows. After a flurry of knocking and FB messages, the culprit was found and all was well in the world *g*
Oh, and we also saw the Knife Angel while on our walk. It's made of knives confiscated by the police, and it's chilling just how big some of those blades are.
Today we've been to Costco, where the sample tables were pretty great, got the cat litter, some shopping at Company, visited Kayleigh then home where I've been waiting for a download for Picard to turn up. But it hasn't yet so I'll have to watch tomorrow now when it hits my Amazon Prime.
I had an appointment at the blood place in Newcastle and needed to be there just after 10. I always found it hard to get appointments at the mobile blood places in town, so it's just easier to go to the big permanent centre, and have done so since my second appointment. Yesterday was my tenth donation, which I know isn't much compared to some people but was significant to me, and would also mean I'll be sent a new blood donor card in a different colour, which isn't much but as you don't get recognised again until the 50 donation mark, I'll be waiting for a long time before the next thing.
After my op I said I wanted to give back in some way and this was my way, so I felt good going in for my donation. Plus, I'd been asked if I'd take part in a trial focussing on genetics and the way blood donors are treated, so I'd opted into this and would have to give extra blood during the session. Then they couldn't get a full bag.
This has never happened in any session or any times I've had to give blood for any tests. They got 85% of the bag and the trial blood, then it just stopped and wouldn't start again despite a reposition. I do think the initial needle was positioned wrong as it hurt a lot more than usual, but they could only reposition once, so after that I was done. I asked if it was a failed donation but apparently while it couldn't be hung as a bag for a person needing blood, it would be used for platelets, so that's better than nothing.
Then I got a congratulations email from the blood donor service this morning which made me feel better.
After that, we had a walk along the quayside at Newcastle as we had a few hours to kill before picking up my niece and nephew as my SIL was at contact and my MiL had to go to the doctors. James was also at the doctor's but I just hung in the play corner of our doctors with the kids when he went in and they were really good. Plus, his blood pressure is now at the top end of normal which is great.
We took them to the play park after that but it was cold and wet with puddles under the swings and slide, plus, teenagers had taken over the equipment so it just wasn't fun to be there, so we gave in and took them for a Happy Meal at McDonald's instead. Where there was the most grumpy employee ever. She was in a temper with herself and while emptying rubbish in the bin was slamming it in and muttering about how people couldn't put rubbish in there properly and I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if she snapped and launched a tray at someone's head.
Then, after we dropped the kids off and came home someone had parked in front of our garage so James couldn't park up. He went off on a detective hunt trying to find the guilty party from the neighbours because while there are multiple parking spots next to the garages they're all unofficially claimed by the people living around the square, so parking in one would lead to raised eyebrows. After a flurry of knocking and FB messages, the culprit was found and all was well in the world *g*
Oh, and we also saw the Knife Angel while on our walk. It's made of knives confiscated by the police, and it's chilling just how big some of those blades are.
Today we've been to Costco, where the sample tables were pretty great, got the cat litter, some shopping at Company, visited Kayleigh then home where I've been waiting for a download for Picard to turn up. But it hasn't yet so I'll have to watch tomorrow now when it hits my Amazon Prime.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-20 06:55 pm (UTC)Well done you on blood donation! Ten litres is a significant amount of blood, and definitely more than I have donated! (I was disappointed when I was told I wasn't allowed anymore. You faint *one* time, ffs...)
Playgrounds in/after rain are so sad. Everything seems extra-wet somehow.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 04:31 pm (UTC)I've seen a few people faint over the time I've been donating, and they're always looked after so well. It's a shame, but better safe for the donator that taking a risk.
That's true about playgrounds looking sad in the rain. And having big puddles under swings and slides is asking for trouble.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-20 06:59 pm (UTC)That’s good news!
*hugs*
that knife angel looks impressive
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 04:29 pm (UTC)The knife angel is very striking, though the blades are chilling.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 04:26 am (UTC)Glad to hear James's good news too. It's too bad the park didn't work out, but it sounds like the kids had fun with you anyway. - I can't believe someone had the gall to block your garage, that's pretty rude! Glad it got sorted out though.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 08:28 am (UTC)Thankfully in all the time we've lived here it's the only time someone has decided to park in front of the garage. It was a surprise to drive around the corner and see a car in our spot.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 05:06 pm (UTC)Also yays for James' BP approaching the normal level. That's one of those quietly important things.
The Knife Angel is so impressive and terrifying at the same time. O_____O
no subject
Date: 2020-02-22 04:15 pm (UTC)But seriously, thank you.
That's one of those quietly important things.
It really is. He's doing lifestyle changes too which are helping, but obviously take longer. So the meds are doing their job which is great.
The Knife Angel is so impressive and terrifying at the same time. O_____O
I know, right?!
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 07:14 pm (UTC)That's so good to hear about James' blood pressure! Clearly the meds are starting to work as intended.
That's sad about the play park - teenagers have no business taking over a space that's intended for smaller kids! And how very annoying that someone had parked in front of your garage! Don't people realise you just Don't Do That?!!!
That's a scary statue!
no subject
Date: 2020-02-22 04:38 pm (UTC)That tenth donation did feel significant, so I was a bit down when it didn't complete. I still think the insert was done wrong, just slightly, enough they had a flow for a while. Which is a shame, but just something that happens I guess.
Yeah, it's taken a while to get his meds right but they're getting there. Now he just needs to get back to work which he can't do until he's had a meeting with the work doctor.
Seeing a car in front of our garage was a surprise. And yeah, the teenagers were annoying as they just wouldn't move. Just sat on the ropes etc and blocked the younger kids from climbing.
It's a very scary statue.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 09:21 pm (UTC)That Knife Angel is both awesome and absolutely horrifying.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-22 04:50 pm (UTC)The knife angel was so powerful up close. Being loomed over by all those knives was chilling.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-01 02:25 am (UTC)i very need to download picard i'm so behind. hmmm maybe tonight.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-03 02:03 pm (UTC)I'm enjoying Picard so much! It's up there as one of my favourites right now.