The Power of Gift Giving

Last Friday, I gave a life-giving gift to someone I won’t ever meet or know. Then a few hours later, I received a special gift from some people who didn’t know me. Gift giving has power. When we don’t expect anything in return, the power increases. I learned a great deal about the power of gift giving last Friday.

True Story Ahead

I donate blood.

Blood is so vital to the health of the body, that donated blood remains an important and immediate life-saving resource to nearly 5 million people each year (www.hematology.org). This is why I give.

Every time I donate, I let people know because I want to encourage others to consider donating blood too. Last Friday, I even posted on Facebook I had donated blood that day. I always put one of those stickers on, too, so that when people see me, they are reminded to donate blood. I am a firm believer in donating blood.

I’ve done so since I was 18 years old. I’ve never had an issue getting light-headed, dizzy, or nauseous. I don’t even mind the needle! Plus, I’m physically healthy. So, I personally have no reason to not donate blood.

You know the saying, “There’s always a first time for everything”? Yeah, well, it’s true. Even though I’m an experienced blood donor, I made a huge mistake, and it cost me.

After donating blood around 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, I went back to work. I ate some chocolate and cookies, drank a couple of bottles of water, and finished my work day just fine.

My husband and I made plans to eat out for dinner and then do some shopping. So, we headed to Green Mill, where our daughter Rachel works. We ordered some pizza and wings. We were in a celebratory mood. As we waited for our deep-dish pizza, we ate appetizers, and I drank a glass of red wine.

After dinner, we went to the mall where we began our hunt for a birthday gift for our daughter Dani, whose birthday was only four days away. After looking at a couple of stores, we headed into Banana Republic. We were greeted with a friendly smile. I accepted help to find a perfect outfit for Dani’s birthday gift. Meanwhile, my husband wondered over to the men’s side of the store. (P.S. Bob, you’re still in trouble for wearing those jeans that were supposed to be a Christmas present for you!).

With the help of Michal, a store employee, I chose a couple of clothing items and was having a great conversation with her when Bob approached us. I introduced him to Michal and showed him what I had selected for Dani. He nodded his approval, smiled, and decided to continue looking at some items while I made the purchase.

I stood at the counter and talked with Michal as she rung up my purchase and gently wrapped the clothes in tissue. I started to feel hot. So, I took my winter coat off. But then I began to feel a little funny and thirsty. I thought to myself, “When I’m done here, I’m going to tell Bob I need to get a drink of water.”

I woke up a few minutes later sprawled out on the floor of Banana Republic. Not exactly sure what was going on, but slowly, and I mean slowly, I began to understand some of the words that were being spoken,

“Michelle, can you hear me?”

“Open your eyes, Michelle.”

“She’s bleeding. Let’s not move her.”

“She’s hot. Pull her boots off. Bend her legs. You’ll have to hold up them for her.”

“Michelle. Can you hear me?”

I wasn’t sure who was asking me these questions, but I was able to answer the next two questions.

“Do you know what day it is?” the person asked.

I answered, “Yes.”

Apparently, it wasn’t a yes or no question. So I had to actually tell this person, “Friday.”

“Do you know who that guy is by your feet?”

Again, I slowly answered “Yes.”

And again, that wasn’t good enough. So I provided more information, “He’s my husband.”

Then I closed my eyes again. They kept telling me to open my eyes. I kept thinking, “Why?”

I remember a lot of people surrounding me. It seemed like different people were asking me questions. So many questions. I think they asked me who Bob was half a dozen times. It’s a good thing I behaved myself and kept giving them the correct answer.

Later, Bob shared with me how he had heard a big “thump” in the store. He didn’t realize it was me until he wondered over to see what the commotion was.

You can imagine his shock when he saw me sprawled out on the floor!

I heard he stepped into action and bent down by me to see if I was breathing. Upon discovering I was, he began to rub my hand and speak to me to try to get me to wake up. He kissed my lips. He claims that kiss brought me back to life! Ah, my very own Sleeping Beauty story! 🙂

I was informed I had been out for two to three minutes before that life-giving kiss woke me.

I also was informed the person asking me questions was an army medic who happened to be a customer shopping. Is that great timing for me or what?

When the paramedics arrived, the army medic (aka, Good Samaritan), provided all the details to them. Then they took my vitals and noticed my “donated blood” sticker on my jacket. The paramedic asked, “Did she donate blood today?” (See? Isn’t it a good thing I wore that sticker?)

They continued asking my husband some questions, and he got them all right! Then he provided them with a little fact that contributed significantly to my demise, “She had wine with dinner.”

“How much wine?” the paramedic asked.

“Two glasses of red wine.” Bob answered.

I slowly thought, “Yep, I did.”

Then the paramedic asked, “Has she donated blood before?”

Even though my husband answered “Yes, but she’s never experienced this before,” I had to supplement his answer because I’m not a novice at this blood donor thing.

“I regularly donate blood,” I softly declared still with my eyes closed.

And you see, that’s why this is so embarrassing. I should have known better than to drink alcohol after donating blood.

The paramedic determined I needed to go to a trauma center, so they scooped me up, placed me on a gurney, and hurried me to the waiting ambulance. Two very nice paramedics assisted me on the way to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). I’m sorry I don’t remember their names or what they look like, but they were very kind to me. They were calm and reassuring. They continued asking me questions and asking me to open my eyes.

Paramedic: “Michelle, how many glasses of wine did you have tonight?”

To which I answered, “Two. I had two glasses of red wine.”

Paramedic: “What time did you donate blood today?”

“1:00 p.m.” I said.

Paramedic: “What time did you have wine?”

“At dinner.” I replied.

Paramedic: “Do you remember what time?”

I figured it was about 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.

Paramedic: “Okay, Michelle, we’re going to give you some fluids, so we have to put a needle in your arm.”

“Okay,” I said.

Soon I was at HCMC in the trauma unit.

A very nice and very funny nurse named, Michele, came in and started asking me more questions. By the way, I really appreciated Michele’s assistance that evening, and we just happen to share the same name. Super cool!

Then the doctor came in and asked me questions.

I encouraged myself to answer the questions so they knew I knew the answers. Albeit, I answered them slowly, very slowly and usually with my eyes closed.

I heard the doctor ask Bob, “Does she usually talk more?”

Bob said, “Oh yeah, she’s usually REALLY talkative!”
Hahaha! He does know me.

Then the doctor examined me, asked me more specific questions about how I was currently feeling, strapped a neck brace on me, and ordered tests. One of which I have to tell you is quite embarrassing. I had to blow into a breathalyzer! Oh my goodness sakes! Me!

And, the blood tests indicated my blood alcohol level was at .03 percent. So there! I was not drunk, but now I have a permanent record proving I had drank wine after donating blood. Can I say once again how embarrassing all that was for me?

My kids showed up right there in the trauma unit. They have pictures to prove I was there. Millennials! You can never be safe of embarrassment when they carry phones! (Kids, by the way, Santa is coming to town soon, so I’d keep those pics underwrap if you want to stay on the “Nice” list.)

I knew I was going to be okay when the doctor came back and said all the tests were negative for super serious stuff. I did have a concussion, but no broken bones or bleeding on the brain.

I needed that cut fixed on the back of my head. Apparently, I hit a table on my way down. I know, Ouch! Now I have 3 staples in my head.

And apparently, my potassium was low so they made me a special concoction that tasted like super salt and orange juice. Not quite as bad as the Lemon Pledge I drank for my colonoscopy a couple of years ago, but still “Bleck!”

Needless to say, I didn’t get the rest of shopping done that night or all last weekend, and I was forbidden all screen time, so hence the reason there was no blog post last week. But I did get to hold my sweet little grandson, who by the way, has healing powers! He warmed my soul and made all my aches go away.

My daughter Dani cleaned up the house.

Bob continued to give me gentle kisses.

Courtney offered to remove my staples.

Zack said, “I would be a great PA, but I wouldn’t have been as gentle with you as they were with that needle!” (He loves me so much!)

Rachel made sure I didn’t fall as she walked me to the car where Bob had driven up the hospital.

The next day, Michal, from Banana Republic called to see how I was doing. How cool is that? I learned she is the general manager. Now that’s excellent customer service. I highly recommend shopping at Rosedale’s Banana Republic.

My boss reminded me of my recently written blog post about embracing adventures. She suggested I should have chosen something different. 😉

Later Saturday I let my siblings know of my adventure. They’re all so loving, but my big brother’s compassion is like no one else’s.

Ben: “You are so lucky and dumb as a door post! LOL! Reduce your blood level then thin it with alcohol!”

Can’t you just feel the love?

Lessons Learned

So now that I’ve been resting my brain for a week, I can share my Top 10 lessons I learned from this adventure:

Number Ten: Employees at Banana Republic at Rosedale mall rock!
Number Nine: Paramedics are talented people!
Number Eight: Army medics are always on duty even when they are customers!
Number Seven: Always where pants when donating blood!
Number Six: Tetanus shots make your arm hurt for a week!
Number Five: Staples in your head are hard to sleep on!
Number Four: Your brain matters. Don’t mess around with concussions!
Number Three: My kids love me a lot.
Number Two: My husband loves me a lot, and his kiss has power to bring back life.

And the Number One lesson I learned:
Don’t donate blood and drink wine…ever!

So there you have it. My adventure of passing out and getting injured all because I wanted to give a special gift to someone. You know what? I did give a special gift to someone, and I received so much more than I gave.

I know I was very blessed. My adventure could have turned out quite differently. I know God was watching over me. Strangers told Bob they were praying for me. I’m very grateful. I’m also wiser. And I’m a whole lot loved!

Makes me think of the greatest gift ever given:

[callout] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)[/callout]

Gift giving really does have power, exponential power!