Blood Transfusion 16 January 2009

Yesterday’s transfusion was not without its problems, namely the needle not going in once again. We had a nurse who was working overtime in the Ward to gain a little extra cash and she had come down from the Pathology lab so if anyone should find a vein it is she. Eventually we did, only this time we used the right arm instead of the left. Other medical professionals are usually reluctant to use the right arm because of the extensive surgery that was carried out on it many years ago [right distal ulna partially removed].
Added to the problem with the needle was the malfunction of part of the blood bag that meant a second nurse and the floor both got covered in blood.
Once it was in and settled I gave way to thoughts of the blood belonging to my 18 year old daughter [It made me feel more comfortable believing it had come from someone so close who is as fit as a fiddle] since she has recently began to donate; we are both part of a rare blood group.
I had two units [two bags, no idea how much was in each] spread over four hours, two hours per bag.

It was a good job I took a film in to watch on my portable DVD player; ‘Adaptation’ starring Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep. – a definite 9 out 10 from me for this one. I loved ‘Being John Malkovich’ so I guess it is only natural to love this too.

But I digress; this is not film review site...

So, the blood test was supposed to be an instant tonic and give the boost I required to at least feel near to ‘normal’ again. When we got home, around late afternoon time, I fell asleep on the settee and was not woken-up until it was time for me to go to bed, where I slept extremely well until this morning and then, after breakfast, I fell asleep on the settee. I cannot believe for one minute that the blood yesterday was that belonging to my daughter and I would even question it being human at all! More likely to be that of a Sloth or a tortoise.