To the Vampires Who Cared...

Saturday was a truly monumental day for me. I was a the homeschooling fair that (by default) I was in charge of. One of the committee members arranged to have the American Red Cross come with their bus for a blood drive. As I went to welcome the blood (aka: vampire) crew, I told the woman in charge that I really wanted to donate, but... and I let her know about the heart challenge last year. I expressed that I did not know if I would "pass" the test to donate. She encouraged me to come and see what we could figure out.

I have not been able to donate for over 5 years, because of my heart. In fact, I remember the last time I attempted to. It was at our church building in Nampa, ID. I went through the list of questions and sadly, things were bad enough with my heart that they had to excuse me from giving my blood away- blood that is a rare type and always in need. This time, though, I was determined to pass the test by sure will.

In the evening, I stood at the event microphone and announced the Red Cross needed 2-3 more volunteers to reach their goal for the day. I was going to attend, who was with me? I went back to the vampire bus. (Actually, I am pretty sure it hurt less than an actual vampire bite would.) As I sat and chatted with the gal in charge we not only had a few giggles over some of the questions, but we found out that- I PASSED!! I was able to donate blood! My heart is FINALLY well enough to give this service! Oh, I was thrilled!

After the questions were finished, I went to lie down on the bed, where the needle was (gulp) inserted (not a huge fan of needles) and the blood was taken from me, like a anteater sucking up it's favorite creatures. I was able to donate a full pint in 5 1/2 minutes- better than the average. While I was lying there, squeezing the little stress ball that helps my blood release easier, I had a nice chat with the man who was taking care of me at that point. He is a big, burly, teddy bear of a man. He wears a dark purple stethoscope and recently bought himself a dark purple, metallic Harley!! Who wouldn't when it is your favorite color? I would LOVE to see that bike!!

As the vampires no longer ask what type of blood one has, I offered the information. "O negative with an Rh negative factor," is what I told them. "They are going to LOVE you!" was the response. (From my understanding, my type of blood is the rarest, and it is also universal, so that makes me a prime donor.) We finished up my transfusion.... I mean donation... and I went on my way. Amazingly enough, I was not even dizzy. I was allergic to all the foods they offered, so I just went back to my table at the fair to eat my sun-warmed strawberries. Yum! (Not really.)

The vampires were superb. I shared with them a little of WHY I was SO emotional over donating blood. They were happy I was there, as was I.

A few of us Blood Heroes. I am on the far right.

It was easy, peasy to donate. The hardest part was answering the questions, as some of them made me giggle... a lot! If you are in the kind of health needed to donate, I suggest you do it! You get to be a Blood Hero because the blood you donate will absolutely save a life one day!  To the vampires who cared, thank you. Your caring about my healthy heart made me feel loved.

My name is Jenny McKinney. I can donate blood again... and vampires care enough to have chocolate cookies for you! Chocolate! Yum!!

Awesome Pawesome!!

Let me tell you a little story.  One day, many years ago, I was driving with my (then) three children on the way to the dentist office in Lacey, Washington.  In response to someone's news from school or something rather, I shouted out, "Awesome pawesome!!" (Let's face it, who doesn't like to rhyme fun words?)  Just as I yelled that comment, I looked out my window and saw.... a DEAD POSSUM on the side of the road!! Hahaha!! We laughed and laughed.  From that day on, we use that expression regularly in our family. In fact, we even have an Awesome Pawesome dinner plate that we use for special occasions, such as birthdays, studying hard for a test, overcoming a difficult trial, etc.

Today was awesome.  Well, not really.  Like any other day, it had it's ups and downs.  That reminds me of the song from the animated Robin Hood movie.... ok, getting off subject.  I am a home schooling mom.  Today, I worked on getting the curriculum ready.  I truly am excited about that.  Between school planning and doing normal mom things, like making meals, I did not get any rest.  (Not to mention on Saturday I was gone to a conference for a total of 13 hours. Yeah.. no rest then, either.)  Now, I have never been very good at resting when I need to, but this year has changed that.  I really, truly strive to rest, especially since my diagnosis came in and it became docs orders.  I take naps nearly everyday and lay down more often than I like to admit.  However, today was not one of those days.  Who else is going to be the mom?

I needed groceries so I can make some freezer meals in prep for recovery time.  My brother kindly drove me to the store.  I felt fine, or at least, I thought I did.  I was only half way through my grocery list when my heart started misbehaving and I decided to try the awesome pawesome "let's make people think I am trying to hang upside down" move.  You know the one.... where you are standing and bend over to put your head between your knees, but your head does not really reach that far, so you look more like a monkey than a possum.  Three times I did that in the store.  Three times no one said anything, for which I am grateful.  I finished the shopping after only walking through the whole store three times.  (One day, I will learn the layout.  Today is not that day.)

As we were walking out to the car, I decided to try the awesome pawesome move two more times because, well, who wants to keep walking normally when you can almost pass out instead?  Thankfully, I didn't pass out, but I got really close.  My brother put the groceries in the car for me, which was very sweet, since he has been recovering from his own (not of the heart) surgery.  I just sat in the car, grabbed my hydration drink and guzzled away.  When I got home, I rested.... sort of.

Regretfully, all of those people who were not paying attention to my cool moves will never know what it is like to see a woman trying to look like an awesome pawesome.  Or will they......

My name is Jenny McKinney.  I am Awesome, I don't like possums and I really want some chocolate.