Have to go get 2 uits of blood in morning

azgrandma
azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Really afraid
i have to go get 2 units of blood in morning and have never done this before, please pray for me that I will mak it through ok.

my platelets are not coming up like they shuld and i am anemic also

please pray

Comments

  • minky1225
    minky1225 Member Posts: 70
    #2
    Take deep breaths
    I might not always respond but I most certainly follow your posts. Even though I am a perfect stranger to you, I can tell how strong and courageous you are.

    I can only imagine how nervous you are right now but you will be just fine:)

    I will pray that all goes well.

    hugs,
    Allison
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #3
    minky1225 said:

    Take deep breaths
    I might not always respond but I most certainly follow your posts. Even though I am a perfect stranger to you, I can tell how strong and courageous you are.

    I can only imagine how nervous you are right now but you will be just fine:)

    I will pray that all goes well.

    hugs,
    Allison

    Don't worry.....you will be
    Don't worry.....you will be fine. I have had transfusions twice - 2 units each time - in order to get thru my initial chemo. It's not bad at all......nothing like the chemo itself.

    They do it via your port and you can read, watch TV, etc during the transfusion.

    Carlene
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    Hugs
    Just wanted to share with you I have recieved several blood transfusions, it takes most of the day but I sleep through it. I also take iron twice a day to help keep me from dropping so low. Hugs N Prayer N Peace Bonnie
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #5
    BonnieR said:

    Hugs
    Just wanted to share with you I have recieved several blood transfusions, it takes most of the day but I sleep through it. I also take iron twice a day to help keep me from dropping so low. Hugs N Prayer N Peace Bonnie

    platelets and red cells
    both are low
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #6
    azgrandma said:

    platelets and red cells
    both are low

    I had 2 blood transfusions, for my 4th thru 6th carbo/taxols.
    I had very low RBC & platelets by the time I had only 3 rounds of carbo/platin in me, and transfusions were added for each of my last 3 rounds. I was a little apprehensive when I got my 1st transfusion, too, but you'll quickly see how 'familiar' the whole procedure is, as you are typically in your same chemo-lounger and the whole process seems very like chemo except for the the bright red of it. I was warmly welcomed by the self-proclaimed 'Vampires' of the chemo lounge, the sweet people with luekemia who were there DAILY for a transfusion. They assurred me, and they were right, that I would feel so much BETTER after my transfusion. And I did! ((((Hugs))))
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #7
    lindaprocopio said:

    I had 2 blood transfusions, for my 4th thru 6th carbo/taxols.
    I had very low RBC & platelets by the time I had only 3 rounds of carbo/platin in me, and transfusions were added for each of my last 3 rounds. I was a little apprehensive when I got my 1st transfusion, too, but you'll quickly see how 'familiar' the whole procedure is, as you are typically in your same chemo-lounger and the whole process seems very like chemo except for the the bright red of it. I was warmly welcomed by the self-proclaimed 'Vampires' of the chemo lounge, the sweet people with luekemia who were there DAILY for a transfusion. They assurred me, and they were right, that I would feel so much BETTER after my transfusion. And I did! ((((Hugs))))

    Convince my husband please!
    Although, at this point, I've not needed a transfusion, my husband is adamant that, regardless of the black box warning on epogen, he would prefer that I get that instead of a transfusion. I tend to trust my doctors, but my husband is a dialysis nurse and has known other chemo patients who received epogen (years ago). Help! In words I can understand, what is the reason for the transfusion vs. the epogen so I can talk to my husband about this reasonably!

    Thanks!

    Leesa
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #8
    3 for me!
    I had three transfusions during my chemo. They made me feel so much better, it relieved the fatique and boosted by energy thus spirits. It is no different than receiving the chemo other than it is red vs. clear.
    Praying for your peace of mind,
    MK
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #9
    leesag said:

    Convince my husband please!
    Although, at this point, I've not needed a transfusion, my husband is adamant that, regardless of the black box warning on epogen, he would prefer that I get that instead of a transfusion. I tend to trust my doctors, but my husband is a dialysis nurse and has known other chemo patients who received epogen (years ago). Help! In words I can understand, what is the reason for the transfusion vs. the epogen so I can talk to my husband about this reasonably!

    Thanks!

    Leesa

    Leesa,
    What is epogen?

    Leesa,
    What is epogen?
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #10
    Prayer Up
    You are going to feel so much better after you get the blood, you will be amazed! Saundra
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #11
    MK_4Dani said:

    Leesa,
    What is epogen?

    Leesa,
    What is epogen?

    Tried to edit for AZ
    I tried to edit my initial comment for you AZ to say that you are ALWAYS in my thoughts and prayers,as are all of the women here! You will be fine, I've read numerous threads about transfusions and everyone always comments on how much better they feel after one!



    Epogen is kind of neulasta--only it stimulates red blood cell growth. I believe that it has been "black boxed" or discontinued for chemo patients because it also stimulated the growth of cancer cells. Just looking for some additional reasons to support transfusions so I don't have to get into a battle royale with the spousal unit, if the time comes! I'm all for feeling better, but not at the expense of the effectiveness of the chemo!

    Leesa
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #12
    leesag said:

    Convince my husband please!
    Although, at this point, I've not needed a transfusion, my husband is adamant that, regardless of the black box warning on epogen, he would prefer that I get that instead of a transfusion. I tend to trust my doctors, but my husband is a dialysis nurse and has known other chemo patients who received epogen (years ago). Help! In words I can understand, what is the reason for the transfusion vs. the epogen so I can talk to my husband about this reasonably!

    Thanks!

    Leesa

    Lucky me....
    I got both the Epogen (marketed as Procrit, Epogen, and Aranesp) AND sometimes the packed red blood cells. The Epogen shots were given every two weeks, I think.

    The transfusion works instantly to raise your RBC, whereas the Epogen takes awhile and you might have to postpone treatment until it has had time to work.

    If you are symptomatic, you probably need to be transfused ASAP. Otherwise, you are not only VERY fatigued, but you are at risk of fainting/falling.

    Carlene
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #13
    saundra said:

    Prayer Up
    You are going to feel so much better after you get the blood, you will be amazed! Saundra

    so far do not feel better
    got 2 units and so far feel so weak

    was there almost 10 hours sitting in the chair getting blood
    no my muscles are hurting
  • catcan
    catcan Member Posts: 119
    #14
    azgrandma said:

    so far do not feel better
    got 2 units and so far feel so weak

    was there almost 10 hours sitting in the chair getting blood
    no my muscles are hurting

    Feel Better
    Sending prayers haven't had a transfusion yet but good thoughts coming your way

    Cat

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