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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Blood transfusions?
Does anyone know if you need a blood transfusion, will they let a family member with the same blood type donate their blood for it?
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Posted 3/13/11 11:55 AM  |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Blood transfusions?
If its for emergent blood, no. It still has to go through the same screening process as everyone else's blood. I have heard of people donating their own blood ahead of time for a scheduled surgery in case they need it.
That being said, donated blood is very safe. People have a greater chance of catching something in their personal life than from a blood transfusion.
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| Posted 3/14/11 7:05 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: Blood transfusions?
Thank you. Do you happen to know how long the screening process takes?
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| Posted 3/14/11 9:06 PM |
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imagin916
LIF Adult
Member since 6/05 1826 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Blood transfusions?
I'm not sure how far ahead of time, I would think that it would have to be at least long enough to run all testing, but I'm not sure if blood is retested before it's used? I found this page on MSLK's page about this topic.
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11895.cfm
There is also something on there that the donor must meet other requirements, and I found it interesting that it suggests that husbands do not donate to wives because it could cause problems with childbearing later.
Just keep in mind that let say there was a situation where the patient needed more blood than what was donated, the blood would come from a donor pool anyway. The other thing I would find out about is what the cost of using your own donor blood would be and if insurance covers the cost of collection and storage.
What will happen to my blood after I donate?
Each blood donation is assigned a unique computer barcode number, which will identify it throughout its path from the donor to a hospital patient. Immediately after the blood donation, the blood is placed in transport containers designed to keep it at a safe temperature until it reaches a Red Cross component laboratory. Samples of the blood donation are simultaneously sent to one of nine Red Cross National Testing Laboratories to be tested for transmissible diseases. In the component lab, the blood is separated into its components: red blood cells, platelets and plasma. The products are then placed in quarantined, temperature-controlled refrigeration units until the test results are received (usually 12-16 hours later) and the blood can be released for distribution or destroyed. From local distribution centers, the blood is transported to hospitals based on patient need. Hospital personnel then transfuse the blood or blood products to a patient in need.
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Can I direct my blood donation to an individual?
Patients scheduled for surgery may be eligible to donate blood for themselves in the weeks before non-emergency surgery in a process known as autologous donation. If an autologous donation is not used, it is discarded. Family members and friends can also make directed donations. Directed donations are fully tested, so if they are not used by the intended patient, they can be released for use by other patients.
Message edited 3/14/2011 9:19:16 PM.
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| Posted 3/14/11 9:17 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: Blood transfusions?
Thank you so much!
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| Posted 3/14/11 9:36 PM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Blood transfusions?
When I was p/g with DD#2, I needed a blood transfusion. I begged for blood from my family. They said we did not have enough time. I needed to have it with 5 days because of it's proximity to my c/s. I opted to not have it and had Procrit and Iron infusions instead.
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| Posted 3/16/11 10:31 PM |
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cj7305
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Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
Name:
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Re: Blood transfusions?
Posted by ChrisDee
When I was p/g with DD#2, I needed a blood transfusion. I begged for blood from my family. They said we did not have enough time. I needed to have it with 5 days because of it's proximity to my c/s. I opted to not have it and had Procrit and Iron infusions instead.
I forgot to ask my dr. about this. How did the infusion work? It gave you enough iron to safely have the baby? DO you know how low the iron level was?
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| Posted 3/17/11 7:56 AM |
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mamabear
LIF Adult
Member since 3/08 4539 total posts
Name:
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Re: Blood transfusions?
I pre-donated 5 pints of my own blood for surgery once. The last donation had to be at least one week before surgery, but I think that was more because I needed to rebuild my supply before surgery. I also had the option of having others donate for me.
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| Posted 3/17/11 8:35 AM |
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ChrisDee
My Girls
Member since 11/06 9543 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Blood transfusions?
Posted by cj7305
Posted by ChrisDee
When I was p/g with DD#2, I needed a blood transfusion. I begged for blood from my family. They said we did not have enough time. I needed to have it with 5 days because of it's proximity to my c/s. I opted to not have it and had Procrit and Iron infusions instead.
I forgot to ask my dr. about this. How did the infusion work? It gave you enough iron to safely have the baby? DO you know how low the iron level was?
I do not recall the number but low enough that they admitted me to the hospital and were going to post pone my c-section. The infusion was basically like an IV. I have heard some people say it was bad, but honestly, I felt so sh!tty that it didnt bother me. The Procrit was the same. I was admitted for 5 days I believe. My iron was very low as was my blood count(whatever that means) They thought I was losing blood from somewhere.
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| Posted 3/18/11 8:00 PM |
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