So, it is a bit late, but I wanted to share an experience I had today. I thought it had some merit. (maybe it does, maybe it doesn't, I don't know)

Basically today has been ****. It has been raining all day in Chicago, it was dreary and dark. I went to class but it sucked ass and I didn't learn jack ****. In the evening I decided to head over to the gym to attempt to redeem my day. I figured that lifting and doing some swimming would be a nice departure from the daily grind, and be a refreshing workout.

Unfortunately, everyone else at my gym seemed to think the same, because the line for the lane was probably 25-30 minutes off.

So, I said **** it. I walked out of the locker room unsure of what I was going to do next, and I noticed a woman with a clipboard, asking questions. I walked up to her, curious, and she asked me

When was the last time you donated blood?

"Well, I replied, I had some blood work done last month, but I've never formally donated blood."

For a moment, she was silent. I thought about it. I realized that this is another form of giving back to my community. I want to do law enforcement, why not get a first-hand taste of what it is like to do a good deed that can save a life?

"Sure, I'm game, I said"

After the paperwork was finished, I found myself laying on a very clean, comfortable bed-like-structure. The blood drive was actually taking place in a very large trailer, which was ridiculously clean and very well organized. It had been pulled up to the front door of the gym, to attract people.

I am experienced with needles, IV's, and medical procedures, so I felt calm and relaxed. I was feeling a bit of excitement mixed with slight tension, but I had a smile on my face. I genuinely felt good because I knew unquestionably that this act would help someone. It was an inspiring experience, one that was making me want to be a LEO more than ever before.

The procedure went very smoothly. I actually had my POLAR heartrate monitor on since I was about to workout, and I was in my workout attire. My heartrate resting is typically 65-75, assuming I am sitting completely still and am relaxed.

On this occasion, it was sitting up near 85 since I was a bit stressed. Here is why: So as I'm sitting there, I'm watching the technician/nurses attend to this guy who just started draining his blood into the tubes and then the bag.

For this particular blood drive, we are also participating in a couple of research surveys, so in addition to filling a full bag, we also filled 5 vials as well. This gentleman sitting to my right was doing well at first, but then I heard him say "I'm not feeling so..." and BOOM! Just like that, his eyes rolled completely back into his head, he went limp and started slight convulsions, and the nurses immediately began removing the needle. I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty sure I was staring with both eyes wide-the-****-open.

Taking a good look at this gentleman, though, and his very thin stature, I wasn't worried. He came to a few seconds later and was looking alright. After providing him with some food and drink, and a 15 minute rest, he was on his way.

My own procedure went very smoothly, and when the time came to remove the needle, I was feeling just fine.

Unfortunately, this is where the fun stopped. The kind nurse I had been chatting with saw that the bag was nice and stuffed with my essence, so she set everything up and removed the needle. "Here, apply pressure to this" she said as she handed me a thick chunk of gauze. I did as I was told and everything seemed to be fine.

Suddenly, I felt this very odd feeling in the back of my gut. It was my instincts that I listen to so carefully saying "Something is ****ing wrong here". I looked around, but everything seemed alright. I had not seen anything worth fretting over, so I remained calm. My pulse was at 95. Seems normal considering the situation.

Then I looked at my arm. The thick piece of gauze was completely red. The two nurses on my side of the trailer had their backs turned, they were assembling the necessary equipment to finish me up and send me off. I wasn't nervous at this point, but I decided I'd lift up the gauze a bit to look at the wound. Maybe the needle caught something on the way out?

The blood rushed from my arm like water over Niagara Falls. It did not drip, it did not run, it rushed over both sides of my elbow, down onto the arm rest, then to the floor. This did not surprise me, stun me, or shock me. I'm a hockey player, and I've seen it before. It was probably just a good deep puncture and needed some pressure. I gave it some good pressure, .. but the soaked gauze pad couldn't tolerate it anymore. It flowed smoothly clean through the pad.

I let a heavy breath out that I had been holding while applying pressure. I had to say something. "Losing blood..." I muttered quietly to myself The nurse whipped around, eyes wide like a deer in the headlights. She grabbed some heavy gauze about the size of a tissue box and applied pressure... but it was no good. In moments, the entire pad was soaked red. More blood flowed out onto the floor.

It was at this point that I realized that **** just got real. I was still calm, my face was collect, but inside I felt like a bathtub being drained. All I could think about was the thick smell of my own blood filling my nostrils. I held on strong while the nurses attempted to staunch the bleeding. I was somewhat surprised by my own fortitude. Maybe it was my extremely positive attitude, knowing it was for a good cause?

A voice came from behind me. "We gotta cut that, NOW." The man was referring to my Under Armor shirt that was slightly gripping my bicep. The head nurse looked at me, as if she needed my approval. "If you need to cut that, don't even think twice, just do it." This was the point where I realized that I still had my head on straight. Saying it made me feel good, reminded me that I had presence of mind and even with my blood spilling onto the floor, I was capable of making rational decisions.

At long last, the bleeding slowed, and the nurses sighed relief. Their eyes weren't bulging anymore. I was somewhat ****ed up, but I was still alive and still feeling good about what I had done. I had made the intelligent decision to purchase a liquid nutritional supplement before I went out to the trailer, and it turned out to be just what I needed.

Finally, I was able to stand, and I thanked them for taking care of me. With a cut up right sleeve, well dressed wound on my right arm, and an instant-ice-pack taped to my inner elbow, I smiled and left.

They apologized to me ferociously, but I refused to accept. I just said that I was glad I could donate blood, and that everything turned out alright.

The only other thing that I would deem noteworthy would be the distinct absence of my girlfriend entering this picture. Our relationship is 100% serious, and I've had a lot of concern lately for what being an LEO would do to our lives. I was outright surprised when I realized that I managed to focus on the situation at hand. I was able to simply do what I had to do, emotional baggage notwithstanding.

I think I'm on the right path to civil service. It's hard to know what is right for you when you're 22 and going to college, but I think I'm finding my way.


(I hope you enjoyed reading. I did not exaggerate the situation, but I wanted to entertain as much as relate my experience with you all)