There have only been two times in my life when I’ve had blood drawn: 32 years ago when Len and I got married (it was a requirement back in the day), and this past November. Suffice it to say that both occasions were disastrous:
- The first time involved a Navy corpsman breaking the needle in my arm.
- The most recent time involved five tries between one medical assistant, one nurse, and one physician who’d all said, “No worries Laurie, you’ve got big, fat, juicy veins!”
Frustrated, I got online and ordered the book “Eat Right For Your Type” by Dr. Peter D’Adamo and a blood-typing kit. Upon arrival we read the instructions and within a matter of five minutes—no pain, no muss, no fuss—we learned that I’m an A+ blood type.
In addition to a pretty cool read about eating for your blood type, the book presents a multitude of other thoughts, including the correlation between blood type and personality type:
In Japan, blood type has long been associated with personality type. In fact, you might well be asked your blood type on a job interview!
Blood Type A personalities tend to be sensitive to the needs of others, good listeners, detail oriented, analytical, creative, and inventive.
Blood Type B personalities tend to be subjective, easygoing, creative, original, and flexible.
Blood Type AB personalities tend to be emotional, passionate, friendly, trusting, and empathetic.
Blood Type O Personalities tend to be responsible, decisive, organized, objective, rule-conscious, and practical.
What’s your blood type?
“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
— Laurie Buchanan
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© 2012 Laurie Buchanan– All Rights Reserved
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Oh Laurie how awful to have that experience–twice! My hands are shaking, just thinking about it. They missed my vein putting in the IV before the gall bladder operation and that hurt like the dickens. I am a type O positive.Yep, that describes the business manager/treasurer side. Type A describes you pretty well.
Kathy – I never realized there was a correlation between a person’s blood type and their personality. It’s pretty interesting to consider!
Oh Laurie I know all about those rolling visible veins that seem to slide sideways when the needle approaches. They are tricky. And I never remember my blood type but it seems an interesting connection to personality. I might have to go look it up.
Terrill – My “big fat juicy veins” definitely went into duck-and-cover mode! When they offered to use a pick line in a main artery, I was so outta there!
Oh my, those sound like very unpleasant experiences, Laurie! I’ve had blood drawn many times for many reasons, but it’s always been a simple poke and over in a flash. Tim usually has experiences like your second one. He has O-positive blood and I have A-negative. All our children have O-positive so after each birth I had to have a gamma globulin shot to prevent Rh incompatibility in the next pregnancy.
Barbara – “Simple poke and over in a flash” was my mantra going in. And when they added the “big, fat, juicy veins” chorus, I thought it was going to be a cakewalk. Not so. It sounds like Tim is all too familiar with the not-so-pleasant aspect of this procedure, but I’m glad to know that you’ve had positive experiences.
Laurie, I love that book. I’m an O blood type, but have the personality traits of an A. What I liked about the book “Eat Right For Your Type” by Dr. Peter D’Adamo, was the different foods that suit your body best based on your type. According to his book, I should eat lean meats and veggies high in protein. Within the last 2 years I gave up all wheat and dairy and feel much better. I used to have major stomach issues and was always ‘stuffed-up’ and had no energy. Its like I’m finally alive again! I used to carbo-load while marathon training and never could figure out why I felt like crap and couldn’t breathe well.
From his website http://www.dadamo.com/bloodtype_O.htm
“To avoid becoming overstressed, Dr. D’Adamo recommends following the Type O diet, which focuses on lean, organic meats, vegetables and fruits and avoid wheat and dairy which can be triggers for digestive and health issues in Type O. Additionally, he suggests that Type O’s avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine can be particularly harmful because of its tendency to raise adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are already high for Type O’s. ”
I’m a big fan of the Type O diet. The people at the Red Cross are also big fans of Type O’s. Since it is the most universally donate-able type, they always need to have plenty on hand. Even though I don’t have nice big fat juicy veins, I donate regularly and encourage others to do the same. It really doesn’t hurt or take very long, but it feels so good to be able to help others!
Thanks for making others aware of the Blood Type Diet. Make it a great day!
🙂 KC
Karin – I’m glad for the information you shared here. Len (my husband) is an O+ and I’m an A+ — our shopping mostly consists of “overlap” items, plus we each have our “one offs.” Since eating specifically for my blood type, I’ve not had to take any papaya enzymes to help my stomach. My husband and I both share the observation that we feel “clean.” Not that we didn’t eat healthy before, but we weren’t eating specifically for our blood types. Len used to get somewhat “snotty” (clogged sinuses in the evening), but that’s a thing of the past.
Oh, those rolly-polly veins, I know them well. They were a bane to my mother and she passed it on to me. Our marriage blood test made me glad my wedding dress had long sleeves. I had a huge green bruise that covered most of my inner elbow area. It looked like hubby-to-be had squeezed my arm too tightly! Interestingly enough, I also have type A+ blood, confirmed when we did blood-typing in Grade twelve Biology class and again when I took it in University. My hubby is the same and my kids, of course. I did not realize that your blood type was related to your personality. Although my family and I have similar personality traits, in other ways we are all quite different. It is an interesting subject.
Mywithershins – Ohhhhhhh, your poor arms, and on your wedding day! Since I’ve shared my experience here at HolEssence with my clients, I’ve had many tell me that they found out their blood types in high school science class. We never, ever, got to do anything cool like that in our science class!
I can so relate to your second disaster. They usually have trouble finding my veins and I end up with huge bruises and several puncture marks. Ouch.
Fergiemoto – For some of us, it can definitely be a less-than-pleasant experience.
I can never ever remember my blood type – I should have it tattooed on an arm or something. I only remember that’s it’s not a common type. Which I think makes me uncommon – or is it wierd?
Carol – The only reason I’m remembering mine is because it’s a grade I would have liked to have seen on my report cards…A+ 🙂
This is really cool, Laurie. I wish I knew what blood type I am. I don’t give blood because don’t like being “milked” (my word). In order to give blood I have to lay down and star that the opposite wall. There have been a few times when I have given blood like a “normal” person. One of these was success. The other time I fainted, the doctor wasn’t pleased.
Leanne – Oh dear, the fainting episode doesn’t sound like it was a positive experience, at all. The cool thing is that you tried 🙂
Bless your heart! So sorry this happened–TWICE! I don’t even know what type of blood I have–weirdly enought.
At any rate, Happy Valentine’s Day,
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathryn – Thank you for stopping by Speaking from the Heart today, I appreciate your visit.
Like Len I’m and O+, and like Karin, the blood type personality does not seem to have much reality to it in my case (and I suspect most others). It is certainly possible that blood type could be one small factor amongst many, and I suspect that it is way less than 5% of the influencing factors.
Up until I got Melanoma I gave blood every 6 months, and had done since I turned 15. Never a fan of needles, or the sharp little pain of their entry, but the need for blood in saving lives seemed to me to make the minor discomfort worth the effort.
Ted – I’ve always admired people who donate blood. As a regular donor from age 15 to your early 50’s, there are countless people who have benefited greatly from your generosity. My hat’s off to you 🙂
Hi,
What an awful experience to have, a needle breaking off, that is enough to put you off having a blood test for life. Ouch!
That is unreal, I never even thought about personality’s and blood, who would of thought there was such a thing. A very interesting post.
Magsx2 – I never thought about the correlation between blood type and personality either, until I read the book. It’s definitely an interesting read.
O+
Kim – You’re the same as Len 🙂
PS
As a phlebotomist in my previous life, I learned quickly to never say anything up front about how the stick was going to go…..bad omen…..
Kim – That sounds like a wise approach.
I love the book & have found it most helpful. I also found the personality types interesting, but not too specific. Hope you are feeling well!!
Sheila – I have to agree that the blood type/personality information is rather general in nature – but oh-so-interesting.
Laurie, I am an A- which in musical terms makes me an A flat. Or possibly a G sharp, and something sharp is handy if you need a blood test.
Kevin – Your witty comment made me laugh!
I am an O+, an easy stick, a regular blood donor, but not necessarily a fit for the mold of that type. I hope if/when the next time comes around, your veins cooperate 🙂
Winsomebella – In talking with clients who are familiar with eating for blood type, I’ve heard a few people say the same thing, “That doesn’t work for me.” Each of us knows our own body better than anyone else and we need to maintain it in the way that’s absolutely best for it — regardless of what others may say.
Laurie, I am a plain, garden variety A+, it’s sort of easy to remember. My dad told me one time that it’s the most common blood type and that made me like most everyone else.
Sandi – Then if you ever need blood, just give me a holler ’cause A+ is my type too 🙂
o O OH….I believe +
My body just sees the persons coming and it shuts down…I am sure I have had in the 10s of thousands of blood draws…. but no one wants my blood for emergencies or surgery….though I have to spend weeks and months setting aside blood for my own surgery. I am sure those days are over now.
I have just had some one tell me that eating for blood type is not really true and then shared a whole glop of scientific studies….but then I have decided that my weight issues have nothing to do with food and exercise but I have decided the root cause is money.
Patricia – In light of your thoughts about the connection between your weight issues and money, may I suggest a wonderful book, “The Emotion Behind Money: Building Wealth from the Inside Out” by Julie Murphy Casserly.
You certainly may…I put it on my list – hopefully a download from the library to my kindle 🙂
Patricia – If your library is as great as ours, you’ll have no trouble downloading this book from your library (I love the Crystal Lake Public Library!!!)
Oh Laurie,
Well that doesn’t sound so fun….But I do like how you and Len found away around being poked. That sounds like a very interesting kit.
I had a zyoto test done just 2 wks ago. It testing me for negitive reactions to food, not alleries, but foods that take too much energy to metabolize.
I have had my blood drawn way too many times!!!
Great post
Jean
Jean – I’d be very interested in your zyoto test results when they come in — way cool!
Well Laurie, I’m type “O” and as it is I am nothing like the characteristics that define it there. Ha! I also have an adversity to blood drawing, but now with borderline diabetes I have done it quite a few times over the past year. Finding a vein in my arm has also been difficult for the technicians for much the same reason as it has been with you.
Anyway, that’s a very good sign that you’ve had few opportunities of this kind!
Sam – With borderline diabetes, I can well imagine that you’ve become a human pin cushion — but it’s OH-SO-VERY-IMPORTANT, as you well know.
I was told by a client who’s a nurse that if you request a “light blue butterfly needle” the person having their blood drawn has a much easier time of it. Apparently, however, it’s more difficult for the technician so it’s not something that readily offered as an option.
Sam – It was GREAT fun to watch the YouTube clip of you and Dennis discussing the 2012 Oscars!
Readers – Here’s a link so you can watch the YouTube clip too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6kO17jYF5Q&feature=colike
The last time I – voluntarily – gave blood, I felt wretched. despite the caring staff, it was unpleasant. that’s partly why I so admire blood donors.
Paul – I’m definitely with you in the admiration department for blood donors.
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Sam – Thank you for the shout out!
Readers – Sam Juliano, movie aficionado, saw 15 films this week. Read all about it in his Monday Morning Diary
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