It has been years since I attempted to give blood because the last time I did so was just after my son was born in 1992. I got a notice from the American Red Cross that they couldn't use my contribution and that I was banned from giving blood until further notice because my "liver enzyme" count was high. At the time I had no idea what that meant. However, years later, after I was diagnosed with a necrotic gallbladder and had to have emergency gallbladder surgery because my liver was near shutting down, we learned what sent those liver enzyme levels soaring. After I was rid of that nasty little sucker, and gave my liver a couple of years to regenerate from the damage, I was cleared to give blood again.
It actually felt good to pass all the testing and to get up on that table and hold my arm out to be stuck. I have B+ blood type which is one of the rarer ones, so that made me feel even better about it. Knowing that my blood will give someone else a chance at life is the greatest reward!
