The Story of A Transfusion

I was working at my desk and of course I was chilly - every office is chilly right? Bundled up in my wool-knit sweater and a scarf I muddled through the morning with a headache that would not stop and toes that felt as if they had been stuck in ice-water all day. My colleagues at the time, found the sight funny that I reminded them more of an eskimo with each passing hour. As I looked outside the window for the 100th time, unable to focus on the task at hand, I pulled the scarf around my neck and tugged on the sleeves of the sweater as I gazed at the beautiful AUGUST day.

YES, that's right it was August of 2004 and if you looked at me, you would have thought it was February. Mid-day I had just had enough and called my husband - I did not feel well enough to drive but knew that I also didn't feel well enough to go home. We went directly to the doctor's office. When the doctor walked into the room, he was immediately astounded by what he saw. His normal jovial patient, was but a shadow of pale skin and bitter cold. A quick blood check determined that I was suffering from Anemia - however, the recommendation wasn't to eat broccoli and have an iron pill. It was to go straight to the Hospital - do not stop, do not pass go, go straight there.

My general physician and my gynocologist confered on the decision and I was wisked quickly away to the hospital. Now, in no frame of mind to converse, I arrived irritated and confused because I thought I was just an overworked tired mom - yet the staff was wonderful - mostly because, as I learned, time after time, I was told that they were shocked that I was able to function and walk with the severity of the blood counts.

Not knowing and realizing the immediate danger that low iron had caused, I brushed it aside. Finally, the Hematologist arrived and politely informed me that I had a Hemaglobin count of 3.5 - normal values are at 12-18, and transfusions are considered when the rate falls to 8.5. So the term "walking dead" was used rather frequently in our conversation. Across the board platelett counts, hematocrit counts, etc...were all alarmingly low and if not treated in that moment - my time was extremely limited.

That day, I received 6 units of blood (your body holds about 10) and 1 full unit of Iron. During those three days in the hospital, it seemed I was also the resident "lab rat" of sorts - doctors streamed to visit because they could not believe why I was still living.

I was still living because I had a purpose. I learned more about the disease and have undergone several other treatments and surgeries in order to remedy the situation. In order to stop future blood loss, it was determined that my menstrual cycle needed to cease - therefore, I am no longer able to have children, but I live a full life with my husband and daughter. I began taking Repliva in 2008 - it is a prescription dose of iron/nutrients typically perscribed to patients undergoing Chemotherapy - but it is making a difference.

Each month, I make a visit to Dr. Marsh, my hematologist and he monitors every count. Currently, he is concerned about the lack of platelett growth and we are considering Bone Marrow Aspiration tests to determine the course for action.

Anemia can be viewed by some as a simple disease to cure through diet/nutrition, sometimes that can be the case. In my case and many more, it is not the case. Continued treatment and advocacy can lead to better care and overall management of the disease.

My first thought as I learned more about the disease was that I will not leave my daughter without a mother for something that is treatable - now, we have to reach out and connect with other organizations to educate about the disease, increase blood/platelett donation for it's management, and show the world that we may be a little tired - but we are fighting!

Do You Know the Signs?

Dealing with Anemia for nearly 5 years now, I thought that some of you should know a little more about the disease and what can happen - in the cases of Iron or Vitamin deficiencies, you can reverse the symptoms, but you MUST maintain your care. Many other forms of Anemia are related to cancer treatments and other, sometimes fatal diseases.

Anemia - in short terms is the following: Anemia is a condition of lower than normal levels of healthy red blood cells and their oxygen carrying component called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin in red blood cells carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. People with anemia, therefore, do not get enough oxygen delivered to the important tissues of the body. This results in many symptoms such as tiredness and weakness, and is why prolonged anemia can cause damage to the heart and other organs.

Anemia can be mild, moderate, or severe and may develop slowly over time. In many cases, anemia develops because of a nutritional problem or a chronic disease such as cancer, kidney disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. If the underlying condition or nutritional deficiency can be effectively treated, the anemia can be managed or corrected.

Anemia is typically caused by:
Chronic disease
Menstruation
Nutritional problems
Inherited blood disorders
Exposure to drugs or toxins

Here are the symptoms:
I have placed an asterisk next to those that I have experienced the most
Fatigue****
Weakness*
Pale skin*
Brittle nails*
Chest pain
Dizziness**
Irritability*
Coldness of hands or feet*
Trouble breathing
Fast or irregular heartbeat**
Headache*
Fuzzy thinking*
Loss of concentration**
Depression*
Loss of sex drive
Decreased work performance*
Desire to eat ice or other peculiar things** (yes I ate ice every moment I could!)

There are several reasons that Anemia can occur, severe blood loss, increased destruction of red blood cells, and decreased production of red blood cells are the main factors.

Women should monitor their blood counts regularly and be aware especially if you are to donate blood, if you have Anemia, it may be impossible to do so.

(from the NAAC Website, July 3, 2008)

January was National Blood Donor Month

January is National Blood Donor Month and as someone who has needed a transfusion more than once, I thank those wonderful individuals that are able to donate. Without that seemingly small gift, I may not be here today.

There are only a few requirements in order to donate blood - you need to be at least 16 years old, at least 110 pounds and in generally good health. They will do a quick blood test prior to donating just to ensure that your blood is viable (I am unable to donate because of my anemia). You can check with your local hospital or American Red Cross for donation sites, but when you donate you give me and many others the gift of LIFE. How amazing is that?

Here is a fast fact for you - DO YOU KNOW YOUR BLOOD TYPE? (you should!)

What is the most common blood type?

The approximate distribution of blood types in the US population is as follows. Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups:

O Rh-positive - 38 percent
O Rh-negative - 7 percent
A Rh-positive - 34 percent
A Rh-negative - 6 percent
B Rh-positive - 9 percent
B Rh-negative - 2 percent
AB Rh-positive - 3 percent
AB Rh-negative - 1 percent

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells, and type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as “universal donors,” and those with type AB blood are known as “universal recipients.” In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types

World Blood Donation Day!

June 14, 2009 - Mark Your Calendars!

It's World Blood Donation Day! (WBDD) There are events taking place worldwide and it's to celebrate the individuals that grant the gift of life with each donation. Stay tuned for updates on where I will be to celebrate this day and to see where you can go to make a donation!

Welcome!

Friends, family and followers - I welcome you to my new blog regarding the Gift of Life through Blood Donation.

For several years as you have followed my blog for Celebrate You!, I have sprinkled in information regarding Anemia, it's affects/treatments and my experience. I decided that because I was spending quite a bit of dedicated time on this topic, I would start a blog specifically for the cause of blood donation since it saved my life more than once.

The first few entries are posts that you may have found on the CY! blog, but I thought I would import them here for future reference.

I appreciate all of your love, care and concern and I battle this disease and continue to encourage everyone to donate - one hour of your time can save one life.

Enjoy!