when i was a whipper snapper i had my tonsils taken out, unbeknownst to the medical staff i had contracted some bug whilst mid-op or recuperating. Got home, went to bed and woke up in the morning feeling really sick and nauseous. Was in the kitchen and vomited in the sink. Blood everywhere. And it kept coming. All i could do was bang pots in the drying rack to wake my parents up. I can only imagine the horror they faced coming into the room (mum years later said it was like a slasher film), but dad set a land speed record getting me to hospital. Apparently the op had ruptured and leaked blood into my stomach - required a blood transfusion and the amount i lost was borderline me making it. This was about 1983 and on the central coast. Around that time a little girl called Eve van Grafhorst also received a blood transfusion and contracted HIV. Hit the news, the community had no idea about HIV/AIDS and there was the massive scare campaign going on and her family was hounded out of the community and the country, and they fled to NZ where she died about 10years later. I was bundled off quietly for mystery blood tests around that time but came back clear. Have been donating blood as an adult ever since and recommend everyone do it (if they are able). Interesting that its in the news now that people who are gay are now allowed to donate blood - its been a long time coming seeing it has been a fair while now that we have had a handle on this type of thing.
Amazing, FKAS! I remember the Bryce Courtney story of his son contracting HIV in this way, and had heard of Eva as well.
I have been a blood donor since I was 18, simply because I think it's the right thing to do. My partner, from the land of Mad Cows, was allowed to donate here about 3 years ago. Incredible that people with a same sex history are only now being allowed to do so too.
it really does save lives. Yeah, i remember reading that book as well. They got Bryce Courtenay in to do a motivational (inspirational?) speech at my work once. The room only had about 30 people in it. Couldn't believe it!
I don't donate blood as often as I should, and the Red Cross just nagged me about it yesterday. They have an uncanny talent for calling me at the precise moment I cannot answer the phone (in a meeting, or in yesterday's case literally walking out the door for an appointment I was already late for) which only makes me feel guilty because I bet they think I'm dodging them deliberately.
I've never been able to donate blood. First it was because I lived in the UK and mad cow, now it's you've had a heart attack, you need a letter from a doctor.
when i was a whipper snapper i had my tonsils taken out, unbeknownst to the medical staff i had contracted some bug whilst mid-op or recuperating. Got home, went to bed and woke up in the morning feeling really sick and nauseous. Was in the kitchen and vomited in the sink. Blood everywhere. And it kept coming. All i could do was bang pots in the drying rack to wake my parents up. I can only imagine the horror they faced coming into the room (mum years later said it was like a slasher film), but dad set a land speed record getting me to hospital. Apparently the op had ruptured and leaked blood into my stomach - required a blood transfusion and the amount i lost was borderline me making it. This was about 1983 and on the central coast. Around that time a little girl called Eve van Grafhorst also received a blood transfusion and contracted HIV. Hit the news, the community had no idea about HIV/AIDS and there was the massive scare campaign going on and her family was hounded out of the community and the country, and they fled to NZ where she died about 10years later. I was bundled off quietly for mystery blood tests around that time but came back clear. Have been donating blood as an adult ever since and recommend everyone do it (if they are able). Interesting that its in the news now that people who are gay are now allowed to donate blood - its been a long time coming seeing it has been a fair while now that we have had a handle on this type of thing.
Amazing, FKAS! I remember the Bryce Courtney story of his son contracting HIV in this way, and had heard of Eva as well.
I have been a blood donor since I was 18, simply because I think it's the right thing to do. My partner, from the land of Mad Cows, was allowed to donate here about 3 years ago. Incredible that people with a same sex history are only now being allowed to do so too.
it really does save lives. Yeah, i remember reading that book as well. They got Bryce Courtenay in to do a motivational (inspirational?) speech at my work once. The room only had about 30 people in it. Couldn't believe it!
I don't donate blood as often as I should, and the Red Cross just nagged me about it yesterday. They have an uncanny talent for calling me at the precise moment I cannot answer the phone (in a meeting, or in yesterday's case literally walking out the door for an appointment I was already late for) which only makes me feel guilty because I bet they think I'm dodging them deliberately.
I will book in and get it done stat.
I've never been able to donate blood. First it was because I lived in the UK and mad cow, now it's you've had a heart attack, you need a letter from a doctor.