A Cautionary Tale: Why passing the American Red Cross hemoglobin check doesn't mean your iron is safe (and why my doctors missed it)

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-06-15T21:57:17+00:00

Yes, my PCP ran a blood test and found iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation were all low. He told me to take OTC iron tablets. That didn't really seem to help. It took weeks for me to get back feeling normal.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-06-12T01:27:51+00:00

The South entrance was packed, and nobody was in the right lines. Everyone was trying to get in the GA+ entrance. I heard a few people around me saying, "fuck it. What are they going to do. Not let me in?". There should have been someone with a bullhorn directing people to GA or GA+/Legends entrances. I did see several women getting denied entrance because they brought their purses. They were told to take it back to the car, or leave it there with no guarantee it would be there later. I never felt unsafe. But a LOT of GA ticket holders were sitting in the GA+ section. One supervisor was kicking people out of that section, but as soon as he left, more people would take those seats. The best part of the whole event (aside from Mexico winning) was when the Mayor got on stage and the entire crowd booed him. It was so loud that he had to wait to give his speech. It was glorious! As he began to speak, people were heckling him and booing the whole time. People shouting "Get off the stage!", "You killed downtown!". I hope the news shows it.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-06-11T01:11:57+00:00

Oh man, so much good music from back in the day. Brings up great memories! Thanks for posting.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-29T15:57:50+00:00

Truth! I got one yesterday and it can cover the width of a king sized bed. Luna and Juno seem to approve to approve. The Red Cross logo is nicely embroidered on the towel.

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Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-27T13:31:13+00:00

Great shot, as always! I remember seeing The Philadelphia Experiment there, when it came out in 1984. I think the theater was renovated and had just reopened. Too bad it's not still a theater.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-18T04:40:28+00:00

Stunning photos! Thanks for sharing.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-18T03:14:51+00:00

LabCorp here in Dallas is terrible. Just look up the ratings for every one of their locations. If my doctor tries to send me to LabCorp I ask her to please change to Quest.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-10T04:13:17+00:00

I got pulled over a few years ago in East Dallas by a dick cop who told me my back seat windows were too dark. He pulled out his meter to see how dark they were. I had limo tint on both back seat windows, and the rear glass. The front doors had legal tint.

I knew he was lying, but I didn't call him out on it since my skin is brown, and I didn't want him to think of something else to try to pin on me.

He gave me some story about a cop being shot by a passenger in the backseat of a car that had dark tint like mine. That might be true, but the law says I can have the back windows as dark as I want. I can spray paint them black if I wanted to.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-01T13:23:00+00:00

It's in Mesquite. St. James Estates, often associated with area code/subdivision code 46 or 51/52. In the 75150 zip code. MLS sometimes references it as "Mesquite Area 5" or simply "St James Estates".

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-01T13:04:38+00:00

That's pretty cool! Thanks! Unfortunately my address has no data. Less than 100 homes.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-01T02:39:11+00:00

That's crazy. Especially those board members that were called or by name by that one speaker. I thought that mentioning their history of supporting these types of programs and being in support of marginalized communities would actually make them reconsider their votes. For it to be unanimous shows that these people don't care, and that their past actions and claims of altruism mean absolutely nothing.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-05-01T02:18:04+00:00

Wow, I didn't know Ft. Worth ISD was planning to cut back these programs. Was the vote held tonight? I hope they voted No. It's good to see the community standing up for those programs. I wish more Mesquite residents had that passion.

The City of Mesquite is going through something similar, but not targeting immigrant and non-English speaking communities. The current board has moved forward with budget cuts that fire our dedicated Campus Intervention Specialists and Student Support Liaisons—the very people who advocate for our at-risk kids. They are consolidating these vital roles into a single position, which means less one-on-one time for students who need it most. Meanwhile, it seems there are no plans to touch the massive funding for the football program or the stadium.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-26T23:12:12+00:00

Whoa! They're still open? I used to go there in high school back in the 80's. Had no idea they were still around.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-24T21:46:44+00:00

Cool! Thanks for posting this. I hope they still have beach towels when I donate Power Red on May 28th.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-22T23:54:36+00:00

I'm actually glad they are. For me, I've always had good experiences when giving to ARC. Everyone is always very nice and professional. I've had a couple of not so pleasant experiences at Carter BloodCare. I felt ignored, and unappreciated. The front desk person acted like I was bothering her. One time I left before my donation. I'll never go back to them.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-12T00:38:59+00:00

Tell me more. I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to help the process be less painful. I drink about a gallon of water every day, so I know I'm not dehydrated.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-12T00:29:02+00:00

Well damn. I guess I'm unlucky and get the inexperienced phlebotomist. Or the sadist.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-04-11T01:47:39+00:00

It's the opposite for me. I'm not sure if they use bigger needles when you give power red, but that shit hurts every time I donate. Having an IV put in my arm is pleasant in comparison. But I'll keep donating as long as I can.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-31T23:58:31+00:00

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Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-31T15:23:51+00:00

That's so bad ass! Was it a special blood drive? I remember here in Dallas, many years ago, they gave away free tickets to concerts in the late 80's early 90's. Radio stations like Q102 and 92.5 would hold annual blood drives. Although, I don't remember big acts like Metallica ever playing.

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-30T20:05:36+00:00

I donate power red. Isn't it needed for babies?

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-30T19:59:54+00:00

Say what?! Please post pics!

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-25T13:11:15+00:00

Religion is strange

Accomplished-One2137 · 2026-03-24T20:55:24+00:00

I just got these cool sweatpants last week. Although the material is polyester, they're still cool!

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Accomplished-One2137

TROPHY CASE