What was your experience with blood transfusions???

[Mary]

Did you need any during treatment? How many? How did your body react? Any bad effects? How did you feel before and after transfusions?

[Cari]

Blood transfusions became my best friend during treatment--the first time the hooked the red bag up to me I thought OH MY GOSH what the hell is going on--I MUST be dying to have to resort to this---I felt like CRAP--couldn't stand without passing out--could barely sit without passing out--didn't want to eat or drink anything just wanted to go peacefully into sleep--and then the blood came-----WHAT a turn around---I got more energy after the first bag--could literally feel the blood return to my head and body!!  I could sit up and I didn't pass out--I could walk to the bathroom without falling over--and I could hold the cup of water and actually drink it!!  As gross as it was to think about blood being pumped into me--It was the greatest thing  I felt 100% better after--sometimes it took more than one bag, but again each time it was worth it. 
I don't even remember how many transfusions I had--Each time I got on the border line they would say lets type your blood just in case--I would get the little bracelet and then go back an hour later to see if I was low enough to get a transfusions and I always was.
If I remember right I also received platelets once--just platelets no blood--
Transfusions REALLY helped my body regain so control over itself--the new blood came it like warriors and took over for me when my cells couldn't!  It definately became a common occurence for me and I got to the point of knowing when I needed blood--just by the way I was feeling.  You get to know your body pretty well.
Cari

[Charlene]

thankfully, i only had one platlet transfusion following the completion of my pre-op chemo regimen.  physically, i was exhausted but don't recall how my body responded to the transfusion.  i do remember it be a nerve racking experience because my limb salvage surgery depended on the transfusion working and my body maintaining my count for the 7 days leading up to my big surgery.  it was awkward receiving someone elses blood but at the time i saw it as my lifeline.  it did seem like it took forever.  halfway though i had to get uphooked to go to my pre-op testing and then go back to finish.  the nurses got quite a kick out of me.  it helped and my surgery went off without a hitch.

charlene

[Mike]

I received lots and lots of both "red-packs" and platlets. I had the same rush of life that Cari spoke of with the red-packs. It seemed like you could actually feel life coming back through your veins. I don't recall every being weirded out by it. I remember always being bummed out when they gave me platlets because I never got the rush of energy from them.

I can see how it would be scary to get transfusions in this day and age because of AIDS and such, but 19 years ago there wasn't anything like that to worry about, or at least I had no idea what they were. I can contribute being young and naive to that.

Anyway, hope that helps.

Mike Smith

[Cathy]

Blood transfusions gave me instant energy.  I had so many I have lost count.  But, in my case, they were a saving grace and I am thankful for them.  I am not able to return the favor, but my husband gives in return.

Cathy

[Mary]

An important message from someone in another group...

I think one of the best things concerning blood that has come about recently (the last couple of years) is the platelets program.  In the past, there was nothing mandatory about testing or using platelets.  Platelets are not refrigerated, like blood is, but kept at room temp.  They are an excellent medium for growing bacteria!  I don't know if they can be "cleaned" or not, but I do know that they now HAVE TO BE TESTED.  So I really recommend that if you need to be transfused with platelets, that you ask if they have been tested.  The hospitals used to hate being bothered with that process... usually saying that the chance of them being contaminated was slim....and it was a time consuming   process.  WELL, DUHHHH!  The chance of getting Osteosarcoma is even slimmer!  And Sepsis is nothing to fool around with...it can be fatal. (By the way, the Red Cross now has to check all platelets too.) The only reason I know about this is that one of my sons was involved in the making and developing of the bacterial testing for platelets.  Here's an interesting site about Sepsis and platelet transfusions.  http://tinyurl.com/42kcl

[Kevin]

I had plenty of blood and platelet transfusions.  Initially they would give them to me without premeds but eventually I was getting Tylenol and Benadryl (I went with oral Benadryl not IV so I would have my mental faculties for a little bit) before the transfusions.  Although they say reactions are unlikely, I guess with more transfusions comes more risk of a reaction.  My docs would tranfuse red-bloods if the count got below 8 and platelets below 20.

The red-bloods were definitely my friend when transfused.  It was like catching a second wind every time.

As far as typing, the only thing I know they check in my case, beyond the normal type and cross, is for CMV.  I am CMV negative so they give me blood and platelets that is also CMV negative.

Kevin

[Mariana]

During the earlier stages of me going through chemo, the blood transfusions were a big help as i was so very weak and could barely even speak at times.  Towards the end though, i was not responding very well to them and then the last 2 times I had HORRRRRIBLE reactions to the platelets.  I developed a terrible rash all over my body, my eyes were swollen, my lips, cheeks EVERYTHING was swollen.  The last time, even my throat was starting to close up.  They had to put me on steroids and everything.  I gues my body was just fed up with it all!

[Lisa]

During the first half of my treatment, I think I might have needed one transfusion.  But during the last stretch of 5 treatments, I needed transfusions after all of them.  It got to the point where I'd get blood and platelets before leaving the hospital and still have to go back in a week later to get more. 

Of all the transfusions I only had one bad reaction.  I wasn't at my normal hospital and staff and the staff I was getting it from wasn't very experienced/informative about the situation.  I got 3 units of blood with no problem, then they gave me the one bag of platelets.  By the time I got the platelets the Benadryl had run its course and was no longer working.  So i reacted to the platelets (which is what most people react to by the way).  I broke out in massive hives all over my body and it got hard to breathe.  The nurse gave me IV Benadryl and then pushed Dexamethizone.  When she pushed the latter of the two, she did it too fast and I threw up all over the floor.

So if you're getting platelets, make sure you get them before the blood, when the Benadryl is working its best (or at least have them redose the Benadryl if you can't get them first).

Better to be safe than sorry!

[Mary]

If you've had a blood transfusion, come share what the experience was like for our visitors?

[Tara]

I only had to have 1 blood transfusion and was blessed with the fact that I was able to receive a direct donation from my parents (we're all A+).  Anyway, the transfusion was easy - it was over with fairly quickly and I felt so good within about 24 hours.  You could immediately tell a difference (once the benadryl wore off), but it took about 24 hours to feel the full effect.  You really feel as if you are back to "yourself"... you know that energetic person you were BEFORE the chemo?? 

[Rene]

I never had a blood transfusion although I came close. I did take Procit shots to build my reds a few times and I had an IV of Iron. The Iron made me have more pep almost instantly.