Blood transfusions

[Idideridest]

I needed a blood transfusion two weeks ago, I got out of hospital on Good Friday and have just started thinking about the treatment I had but having 2 units of other people in my veins is making me feel weird. In a psychological, not medical way.

I’ve always been a blood donor and proud of my O neg blood but never even contemplated being a recipient.

Anyway, thanks for the O neg RhD pos whoever you are. Made me feel like a different woman.

Anyone else had this feeling?

I had one during childbirth too. I feel weird about transfusions too.

People are often surprised I've had one. The dentist were questioning my medical history form because I ticked I'd received one. They thought I'd made an error.

Great thread!
I'm 0+, so super common
Donate religiously every 4 months.
This is going to sound mental, but the day of my donation, I try to think only good thoughts and be really positive, so my little bag of blood is "super goodness"
Very daft I know, when they take it away and sit me up I say a little blessing in my head to hope it helps whoever gets it.

I think that's sweet :-)

I had 2 transfusions in the space of a few weeks as i had an av malformation. I had the 1st transfusion, then was discharged from hospital and had another massive bleed, so I needed another. I felt guilty like I'd wasted the 1st persons blood! A few days after my second one I was on hospital waiting for my hysterectomy and I got a little cut on my finger and licked the bit of blood, and then felt a bit queasy because I was licking someone else's blood 🫣 I am so so grateful for the transfusion and feel so guilty that I had never given blood before had always put it off and now I can't give it!

Please don’t ever feel guilty about that. As a blood donor the only scenario where I’ve been mildly disappointed was when my blood was assigned to a private hospital as I assume that was standby O Neg and was likely ‘wasted’ as it probably wasn’t used.

I have had 3 or 4 blood transfusions due to cancer. The most recent
one was a few weeks ago and I also had platelets transfused separately. I am incredibly grateful for the donors as at best, I would be very unwell without their donations🙏

I had 2 bagfuls after DS was born (3days later!!). The thought did make me feel a bit weird at the time, but it did mean I could stand up without passing out so could visit DS in NICU without having to wait for someone to push me in a wheelchair, so it was something I got over very quickly!

It's amazing to give blood, thank you. Really wish I had given when I had the chance!

O- donor here, well I was until cancer put a halt to that. Hope you’re feeling better op.

I am so much better thank you, I feel like Bambi though. Everything is very weak but I guess that’s what a month in hospital does!!

Thank you to all blood donors and those who can no longer donate. Remarkable how many of us have benefited from this.

Thanks - I can only manage about twice a year because it takes too much out of me when I go to three donations. I’m having trouble getting a slot at present as the local donation centre is having work done. It’s frustrating

I had four and felt two emotions- massive gratitude to the donors and slick ick and uneasiness at the blood in me.

I think I read after four weeks all have reverted to you so passing that helped.
Only the gratitude remained.

I'm not a vegetarian, but I think that if you can eat actual flesh, and things like black pudding, then you can accept someone else's blood.

There’s probably a philosophical argument in this but most people who need blood don’t really get a choice. I had a haemoglobin level of 60 which is described as “life threatening” so I just let the docs get on with fixing me.

Mine was 49.

I don't think you can compare eating meat and black pudding to putting something directly into your blood stream.

I've never given blood.. my three older sisters did.. but I've had a transfusion after major life saving surgery.. never crossed my mind about who's blood it was.. was just so grateful.. could have been one of my sisters for all l knew.

I’m A positive and received blood a few weeks ago.

I absolutely love this, and shall do the same next time.

Last time I went, (adult) DS and DD both came to the same donor session, so I got a warm glow knowing that my body had (in a round about way) generated three pints.

DP received plasma many years ago that saved his life. We are so grateful to donors.

This is such a wholesome post! I give blood and never really thought so much about the real life people who might be receiving it. I’ve always thought that I’d want it available to me if I ever needed it so only seems right to donate. I can’t lie, I’m also a sucker for a quiet sit down with a coffee and biscuit!

It’s really hit home for me though, reading this, what a difference taking such a small amount of my time to do this really makes to actual real life people!

And for anyone thinking about donating I can only say - do it! It’s so quick and easy for most people and the staff are all so friendly and competent. And as this thread shows it saves lives.

That's really sweet.

I'm very grateful to donors. I wanted to donate (have type AB+ so not as useful as other types but still useful of course) but was too anaemic when I first tried in the UK, and then I moved abroad and I'm not allowed to donate because I lived in the UK during BSE times (and of course now I can't because I've received)

I don't think you can compare eating meat and black pudding to putting something directly into your blood stream.

How is putting it in your stomach different from putting it in your bloodstream?

Yeah I’ve had that thought, it’s pretty gross really. But very grateful for the whole shebang! Now I can’t donate blood, I’m now on the DKMS register 🙌🏻 hopefully can return the favour at some point.

Some private hospitals see patients who have cancer so the blood was possibly used to treat one of them. It was still a good thing to do whatever became of it!

I've had 3 blood transfusions in a foreign country and that felt weird, thinking that the blood was from people who don't speak my language etc.
I also for a long time worried about leukaemia, as I read that you're up to 50% more likely to get blood cancer. Not sure if anyone can reassure me on this?

I donated a couple of times but I've since had a vascular problem and can no longer give. :( But hey ho, I give in other ways in life!

I suspect I'd feel the icky wonder and wondrous ick if I were in your position @Idideridest 😁