Dear 34548,
I had about 10 units of blood in 1980.
The need was put down to endometriosis, AFTER surgery revealed I had the condition.
My symptoms were quite backward, in that they did not know what was causing my low red corpuscle count until later. I knew that I was losing massive amounts of blood monthly, with great pain, but I guess I acted too much as a lady, and didn't YELL when it was appropriate.
My red corpuscle count had always been high, until this time.
First trip (45 min drive) to the specialist, he told me that he didn't want me to drive home. "If you get into an accident, lady, we won't be able to get to you in time."
I concentrated carefully on my driving that day, I must tell you. The doctors were right, I was very weak, but putting on a 'brave face'.
Shortly after, I went into the small local hospital for four units of what they called 'close packed cells', 'O' negative...the only type I am allowed as that is my blood type.
I was reading like mad about 'cross matching' and so on, but I don't remember where I was getting info, as computers were not well-known.
Anyway, during those transfusions I experienced a kind of pressure on the chest for a few minutes, a shortness of breath. Nurse watched me closely, but the episode subsided.
One hint: ASK about moving your arm slightly while receiving blood. I kept mine perfectly still, the whole while, thinking I was dealing with a great big hollow needle. Wrong! It was a somewhat flexible plastic tube. I suffered the pangs of muscle stiffness, needlessly.
As events unfolded, a few hours later I lost most of the blood given me. (Not fun.) I was faced with phoning the doctor on a Friday long weekend, to ask if it mattered, since I was scheduled for surgery the following Tuesday.
Doctor told me to go into hospital NOW. He would make arrangements for me. All by myself, I drove the 45 minutes.
It was a long weekend, so lab staff, etc. was at a minimum. I was given more transfusions, because, if my red corpuscle count was below a certain level, they couldn't operate, by law.
Also, they needed to reserve one unit of 'O' neg, in case I needed it after surgery. Apparently I exhausted that hospital's supply of that 'universal' type; with one unit in reserve.
And, I retained what I was given.
The extra unit was not needed after surgery, though both doctors were amazed at the severity of the condition they found inside of me. They had not expected endometriosis...probably because I hadn't YELLED about pain that would choke a horse.
Hints:
...YELL, if you ever feel like it!
...Get a support team, even if you have to knock on your neighbors' doors, or telephone at random in the book! Someone, somewhere knows what you are going through and will become your champion. Six champions is an even better number.
That's why we live in communities. We are 'pack' animals. Embarrassment be damned!
I'm really proud of you for asking here. You are already getting support. Can you feel it?
More in a minute...