In January 2022, I began experiencing what I thought were just inconvenient Covid side effects. I was exhausted easily and had trouble moving around the house, plus my heart rate was incredibly high from basic activities. Every night I went to sleep I hoped that the morning would bring relief. I truly thought it would “just take a few days,” I am a working mom, and I didn’t have time to completely press the “pause” button on life. Then, on Sunday, January 23rd everything changed. I woke up and collapsed in our bedroom. Fortunately my husband was there in an instant and immediately on the phone with doctors, he called an ambulance and we went to the hospital.
As soon as I arrived at the hospital all the testing began, my red blood cell count was the lowest my doctor had seen in an actually coherent person (anyone who knows me will not be surprised by this given my stubborn “I’ve got this” personality). I was admitted to ICU: picc lines were inserted, blood transfusions began, bone marrow biopsies occurred, CT scans, EKG’s, test after test after test, all during a constant need for more red blood. The first week in the hospital was very much like this, every day more tests, every day more blood. The ultimate diagnosis was hemolytic anemia, complicated by my already present autoimmune issue of idiopathic thrombocytopenia and the development of blood clots in my legs and lungs, likely due to Covid. The second week was more stabilizing, and we began a treatment plan focused at long-term correction of the anemia consisting of some known chemotherapy approaches, all the while continuing with daily blood transfusions. To complicate things, my O+ blood type has some unique antibodies that make screening the blood before transfusion take more time, and therefore we are constantly asking the doctors if there is a unit of blood ready for me if I need it. Often they do, however sometimes they have to wait for blood to arrive from other counties, during which my red blood levels are very low.
Week three I got to come home, and hug my kids for the first time in weeks, a blessing beyond measure. Coming home means daily doctor visits and continued outpatient blood transfusions and treatments. It also likely means further delays in securing blood for transfusion, as it may take longer to secure and screen the blood in the outpatient setting. Blood donation is actively saving my life, and I’m tremendously appreciative of those in the community who’ve donated the blood that’s keeping me safe. While we wait for other treatments to hopefully resolve the anemia I am continuing to use up to 7 units of blood a week, potentially more. Each of you pledging to donate blood of any blood type is a hero, and one that I am incredibly thankful for. Even if it doesn’t go to me it goes to someone else fighting for more time, and who can use your help. Thank you for being a part of this campaign and for showing so much support, it truly is life changing, for me and so many others.
Challenge your friends (or anyone for that matter) to a friendly competition! Who will win the battle to do the most social good for your community?
Put your virtual blood drive campaign against one or even multiple other campaigns to see who can recruit more blood donors for the American Red Cross.
