Needlephobia

Every time Scott and I hear about a blood drive I always suggest that we should donate. Scott always comes up with a reason he can't. After the first few times I suggested this I clued in that he was slightly afraid of needles. After I figured this out, I stopped really asking him about it because I figured he wouldn't donate. Well... a couple of weeks ago in church they announced that we would be having a stake blood drive. I didn't even think about signing up because I knew Scott wasn't down for it. After church though, he told me that he had signed us up. I was super surprised but he told me that he had read an article about the blood shortages and realized it was a great way to serve so he decided he would face his fear. So this past Friday, we went to the church to donate blood. I showed up a little late so Scott was just about finished filling out the paperwork. He got in the chair to donate blood and I was still waiting to fill out the papers so I was standing right next to him. He looked a little nervous and I'm sure the guy throwing up behind him didn't help to calm his nerves. The guy prepped his arm though and stuck the needle in, Scott just didn't look and he did great! Shortly after they put the needle in, I went into a little cubby to fill out my paperwork. I had been in there for about 5 minutes and I heard a couple of the ladies saying, "Scott.... Scott... Scott...." I immediately jumped up realizing that this didn't sound good. I came out to see that Scott was completely passed out.. face white.. eyes rolled back into his head. Turns out he had made it completely through giving blood with the needle out and everything and he just couldn't resist looking at the bag of blood and it made him queasy I think. I was a bit nervous but none of the workers seemed phased by it which made me not quite as freaked out. After being out for a second, he started kind of convulsing. I thought he was having a seizure but one of the guys told me it was basically just his muscles reacting to him losing so much blood. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he came out of it. He didn't feel so great, but after some water, ice packs, and pretzels we eventually were able to leave. Needless to say.. he didn't have to greatest first experience but I was super proud of him for facing his fear. We are just hoping he was able to save someones life because of that blood!!

(I'm sad to say that I did not capture any pictures of this event... after the fact we realized we should have snapped a few shots.)