The day was 24 July, 2008. We just barely got back from the lauret
family reunion. I had just recieved word that we were going to go
swimming at 4:30 at the PG pool. The time was 3:00 and I thought I
could give plasma and still make it on time for swimming. I did give my
plasma and I was 20 minutes late to the pool. April, SpencO, Micah and
I played water basketball. It felt like I was baking inside of a dutch
oven because it was so hot outside. Nevertheless, we still played ball
in the pool. Little did I know, I was dehydrating myself and slowly
not feeling good. It didn't hit me to eat or drink a lot after giving
plasma until later that night. Lani, my sister, joined April and
Spencer, Micah, Mandy, and Jaxon, and I to eat at the Cracker Barrel.
We finished our meal and I needed to stand up because I was feeling
claustrophobic. I decided I needed to go to the bathroom. I started to
get really lightheaded on the pot and I made a decision to pass out in
the stall or to pass out outside of the bathroom. I decided outside of
the bathroom would be more sanitary. I hurried and finished my
business. I pulled up my pants and I stumbled out toward the door to
get out of the bathroom. About five steps before the door, my cheeks
felt flushed and that's when the walls started to close in. My steps
became quicker so I could make it outside the door, and I opened the
door and collapsed. I looked at the ceiling and it spun and I was
looking up at the drinking fountain, cause I was right under them. The
person who was in the bathroom with me came out and saw me on the floor.
My zipper was undone and I didn't buckle up my belt. He said, "Are
you alright?" I said, "Yah, I just need to lay here for awhile." As I
did so, my blood started to enter into my brain and I felt better. I
was probably on the floor for 5 minutes. And I got up and I made it
home to go to bed.
Lesson learned: I now know what its like just
before a person dies and never returns, except I returned. And now I
know not to exercise right after donating plasma. You need to wait 24
hours before vigorous activity.
