Last chemo - not done yet - some good news though

Becca,

I had a blood transfusion through my port when I was in the hospital. No problem!  Don't be afraid if you need it. 

I have had to have several and they are no problem.  They used my port and it does take awhile. They run it pretty slow and it does take time to get it started.  Sure felt better after. 

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann

What a great christmas present.  I am so happy for you. I had a blood transfusion while in the hospital after my hysterectomy.   For me it wasnt bad at all.  It took a while.  Really it just gave me hope that i would help me get my strength back. 

Love janae

Well, a very Merry Christmas indeed! Although I'm sure you are going to need a few weeks to recover yet.

I hemorrhaged after the delivery of my first baby and they wanted to transfuse me after that. Fortunaly I was working on a cardiac post-op ward at the time and knew one of the pioneering transplant doctors there who waited until his patients had hematacrits that dropped below 20 before transfusing them when the majority of other doctors were transfusing their patients as soon as that number dropped below 30. Mine was 21 (corresponds to a HGB of about 7) so I refused the transfusion because I knew I could get away with it. I was later very glad that I did because this is right around when AIDS was raising alarm bells and they weren't testing the blood supply for it yet. My experience with not having a transfusion with my HGB/HCT that low was that I was extremely tired for a couple of weeks while waiting for the iron supplements they had me taking to make a difference. I never regretted saying no to the transfusion, so if you feel strongly enough about it and are able to handle the amount of fatigue you're dealing with now, it may still be a reasonable option for you. You didn't say what your HGB was, but just figure that it's about a third of what your HCT is. Those two values usually rise and fall in step with each other. Hope this helps and gives you some food for thought.

Getting blood transfused is easier than getting chemotherapy.  My veins had basically collapsed when the first two units were given to me two days after my surgery.  I had the blood transfused through an IV, since I hadn't had my port inserted into me yet.  The nurse did have to call in the IV team as she wasn't able to get the IV running. The IV team also had trouble and didn't want to waste any blood, so they kept trying and eventually succeeded.  The third unit was given me after my third round of chemo, and I had absolutely no problem with that.  I'm sure you've been poked and prodded many times now, getting routine blood draws to check your status.  It's no worse than those.

I'm so happy for you Becca.

I am looking forward to the day I can also ring that bell. After listening to everyones comments I realize we all feel overwhelmed with what lies in front of each of us. Some of us are just beginning the journey, some are mid way and others are completeing their treatments. Its just wonderful that we have this wonderful place to connect and share. Love, Lydia                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Becca, congrats on finishing front line and ringing that bell! Take a few minutes to look at how far you have come over this last year and revel in what you have accomplished! Hopefully you were able to truly celebrate this wonderful milestone - you deserve it!! Kim

So glad the transfusion went well and that you are feeling better.  That extra blood does us good sometimes.  Now you will feel like celebrating.

Hugs and prayers, Lou Ann