Pin Cushion

The novelty is starting to wear off now. Trying to draw from the same vein 3 weeks in a row is not a good idea, so after a failed attempt we had to switch arms. I now have matching punctures in both arms. I feel a bit like a pin cushion.

Also, since I didn't anticipate the switch, I didn't shave the arm hair, so there's that too.

I tried to read a book during the procedure to pass the time and keep my mind off things, but I found myself re-reading the same paragraph several times. It is not easy to concentrate on a plot when feeling uncomfortable like that.

It is a bit disheartening to think I'll be doing this regularly (albeit, less frequently) for the rest of my life. Although I must consider myself lucky that this condition is treatable, and there are many people in far worse positions than me - and some are in the room receiving treatments at the same time as me.

Staying positive, moving forward, getting it done!

Oops, I did it again.

I have a confession to make. Last week I wrote that I got through the blood donation without fainting. Well, it turns out that was an 'alternative fact'.

At my second session I was talking to the nurse and saying that although I wasn't feeling great the first time, I managed to get through it without fainting. Her response was, 'well... you actually did'. I didn't even realise it had happened. I was very surprised. I guess it was because I was reclining comfortably in the chair and I had nowhere to fall.

This second time, however, I definitely did not faint!

Things went a lot smoother. It was much less busy in the room - just one other patient briefly came and went while I was there. I spent time chatting with the two nurses, who are both Carlton supporters. (Go Blues!) I even helped one with her ladder and award predictions for the upcoming footy season.

There was a bit of disappointing news. Unfortunately the high iron levels means my blood is unsuitable for donation. That was the aspect which I thought pushed this whole experience into an overall positive direction. Now it has left me feeling a bit hollow. I'm hoping that in the future, when my iron is back to normal, my blood may be useful again. My research suggests that it can be.

I have continued feeling rather fatigued during the week. I think it will take a while to get used to the frequency of treatments, but eventually I should start to feel better than before once the symptoms of high iron are relieved.

Let the blood run free

That's half a litre done. Several more buckets to go.

So, my physiological reaction to sharp things stuck in my arm played it's part in what turned out to be a rather unpleasant, but highly satisfying first venesection. I didn't actually faint, but that was solely due to the wonderful work by nurse Amanda and the other staff. I was made very comfortable, given tea, a cold washer for my head, and cooled with a small handheld electric fan (nicknamed 'sweaty betty').

In a room with several others receiving similar treatments, and some with problems far worse than my state of overall good health, it turns out I required more attention than all the others combined. I was the 'troublemaker'.

Note to self: remember to shave arm hair near needle area before next visit.

Pulling the tape off was more painful than the needle, which seemed so absurd to me I was actually laughing at the time.

The whole process took about 90 minutes (about 25 minutes was spent bleeding) and that included the time waiting for them to be satisfied I wouldn't faint on the walk between the hospital and the car.

The rest of the day I was feeling quite fatigued - much like you would feel after strenuous exercise - but I managed to get the things done that I would usually do.

Now that I know the routine, hopefully I'll deal with it better next week.

Introduction

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Iron Man... ok, not THE Iron Man, just AN Iron Man.

Whilst I don't have any super powers (that I know of), I do have iron. Too much iron in fact. So much iron that I need help to get rid of it. The human body is designed to absorb just as much iron as it needs for the production of haemoglobin. Excess iron is stored in the organs since the body can't dispose of it, and too much can lead to big problems. Which leads us to my condition - Haemochromatosis. It is a genetic disorder that causes my body to absorb iron even though I don't need it.

I only discovered this fact during a routine health check. A blood test showed the high iron levels, and a genetic test showed the disorder which caused it. There are some symptoms, but none are particularly striking. I'm 40-something with 2 kids... of course I'm lethargic and have joint pain! So the symptoms are pretty common, but so is Haemochromatosis. It is the most common genetic disorder in Australia and affects about 1 in 200 people of northern European origin.

The upside is that the treatment is relatively straightforward. Since iron is used to produce haemoglobin we just need to get my body produce more and work it's way through my iron stores. This is done by donating blood.

Notice how I referred to this as an 'upside'. Obviously the upside is for the lucky recipients of my blood, but not necessarily for me. I know there are lots of AWESOME people out there that donate blood regularly, and I'm sure they think this is no big deal, and they're probably right. There are a few things to consider though:

I'm not good with needles.

I tried to donate blood once, many years ago. I almost fainted after the pin-prick test on my finger, and was summarily rejected. I actually DID faint during a doctor's consultation for a Tetanus shot. It's not that I'm scared... I just don't like the thought of someone sticking a needle into me. I've had plenty of injections since then and I can deal with the mental side pretty well now. Still, it's not fun (but at least it's not leeches).

WEEKLY donations.

Apparently, when you're a blood donar, you should only give blood once every 8 weeks. Due to my 43 years of iron accumulation, it will take an intensive effort to bring my iron back down to a normal level. This means I have to give blood EVERY WEEK...

FOR A YEAR!!!

Now you should be starting to see it from my side. It is estimated it will take at least a year to get that iron out, probably longer. When I am back to normal levels, I'll still have to be a regular blood donar to maintain that.

My first blood-letting is this week.

And so, my journey begins.