Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

i need help

144 replies

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 13:24

I know this should be in health but I am desperate

I just went to give blood

They turned me down because my hb is 9.5
I have never been aneamic before apart from when pg.

To me this means two things.

One is that I have let my DD down
two is that I have cancer and I am going to die after having to have terrible things done to me.

if i sound mad it is because I am.

OP posts:

cocoachanneloffestivecheer · 02/12/2011 15:19

You must never feel you've let Billie down. Because of you I donated my cord blood when I had DD. I bet I'm not the only one. I read something you posted when pregnant and signed up immediately through the scheme at ST.George's hospital in South London. I told the staff why I was moved to donate, my MW said you were 'so very brave'. I was going to PM you after my DD was born, but everything I wrote sounded too slushy and daft after all you've been through

Sending lots of iron and appetite, spinach pie anyone?

cocoachanneloffestivecheer · 02/12/2011 15:20

Oh lord, I'm in tears now. How very silly.

CocktailQueen · 02/12/2011 15:26

Not unusual at all. My hb is usually low and I have to make sure I eat an iron rich diet before going to give blood. Chin up.

nickelbabe · 02/12/2011 15:31

You need to take charge of your diet again.

Make a list of meals that you fancy throughout the week. (ie make the list at the beginning of the week)
you need 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners.
The breakfasts can be the same every day if you like ,but make sure each meal is nutritionally balanced.

go onto the food board and ask for menu suggestions.

then you can prepare and make the meals as and when.
It'll feel like you're in control again.

travellingwilbury · 02/12/2011 15:31

I am glad you are feeling a bit stronger now , plate of cabbage for tea tonight then ?

nickelbabe · 02/12/2011 15:32

for example - this morning I ate Weetabix with milk and a glass of fresh fruit juice.
Lunch is Butternut squash soup with crusty bread (and butter, I hope!), and another glass of fruit juice.
tonight, we are having homemade pizza (bought pizza bases and our own toppings)

that's day 1.

Original poster

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 15:38

cocoa I really dont know what to say. I am beyond words. What you did is just wonderful. Thank you so much.

I do need spoon feeding (scuse pun) re food. Writing it down is a good idea. Less of a chore then.

I like soup. Thats good for lunch isnt it?
I like pasta.
ummm I like quorn but I rely on it too much.
I do eat veggies.

I felt like I should put 'i ate some fruit' on my fb status last week so thats not a good sign is it?

I have to go and sort DCs out now but I wil be back to sort food out later.

Thank you all again for indulging me.

OP posts:

Portofino · 02/12/2011 15:42

Yes - lots of good advice here - You spend so spend so much time looking after others it's not surprising you are feeling a bit depleted. You need some time to look after YOU! I bet B. would be very, very proud of everything you do, and cross with you for getting upset like this!

I totally understand the medical thing. I spent my formative years visiting my mother in various oncology wards and I don't cope at all well with illnesses and hospitals now. In fact, I need a test to check my HRT levels and the GP ticked all the other boxes on the form saying I might as well get a full MOT whilst we're at it. I still haven't made the appointment for the blood test. I am convinced I will go in feeling fine and come out with every disease known to modern science. I KNOW that this is illogical......

((((hugs))))

nickelbabe · 02/12/2011 15:43

fruit's good for a snack.
lovely satsumas at this time of year.

and there are some gorgeous veggie sausages - not just quorn, but Cauldron and loads of home-brand veggie things like cheese and onion bakes and veggie burgers etc.

there's your next Dinner - Veggie sausage and mash with kale and gravy.

montmartre · 02/12/2011 15:45

I am another person who was spurred into going to give blood because of your awareness raising- you have never, ever let your DD (or any of your other children) down, don't ever think that!

(they didn't want my inferior blood btw )

Original poster

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 20:30

I fell asleep for a couple of hours. I have done that a couple of times recently but I am so used to being tired I didnt think it was symptom doh.

I had another spatone and ate a plate of veggies, mash and some quorny things.
and a glass of orange juice.

Still feeling very wibbly. My friend sent me a text saying 9.5 is 'not good' and telling me to go to the dr. Exactly what I would have done but it made me all scared again.

OP posts:

nickelbabe · 02/12/2011 20:33

at least you've started eating again.

in about an hour, have some nuts, or crisps (or ice cream!)

CotherMuckingFunticalChristmas · 02/12/2011 20:35

MrsDV ((hugs)) You've been such an inspiration to me since I've been on MN.

Sorry I don't have anything constructive to add but I think you're pretty fab.

travellingwilbury · 02/12/2011 20:40

9.5 is not good but it is also not shit , mine has been that low and lower and some green veg sorted me out . My b12 is also rubbish but it has still not meant curtains .

Eat sprouts

ladytyndale · 02/12/2011 20:42

Just wanted to let you know, I'm another one who has signed up to give blood because of your appeals on here. I haven't actually donated yet, my DD was too young at first and I was away when the last session local to me took place. I will try again to find somewhere I can donate soon, and let you know when I've done it. Don't ever think you let your DD down, I hope I can be as good a mum to mine x

JamieComeHome · 02/12/2011 20:42

Hi MrsDV

How did the combo of psych followed by blood donation happen? - look after yourself my lovely . Do not schedule these things together.

Did the chugger do the "wannabe-actor-I-kinda-want-to-flirt-with-you" schtick and have a silly bobble hat? Next time give him/her a karate chop

amicissima · 02/12/2011 20:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 02/12/2011 20:46

Get some pharmaton tablets, they are really really good.

And at the moment, the shops are full of picky christmas food.. loads of that is veggie. Go and treat yourself to a load of different bits of things, and tomorrow night, have a little buffet.. if you dont normally eat loads, then trying to force a big meal down is going to be hard work, and uncomfortable.. but if you buy a few bits of "luxury" things, and graze on it over the evening.. make eating into an enjoyable thing, not just something you have to do.

BornSicky · 02/12/2011 20:47

mrsDV

i'm sorry you're feeling low..

there are some surprisingly yummy foods with high iron content:

Cocoa powder
most nuts
dried apricots and peaches
wheat/cornflakes

so, if you want to, may be have a little pot of mixed fruit and nuts in your bag or by the sofa and snack on them as well as lots of green veggies.

oh and i think the hot chocolate is mandatory in this case.

Original poster

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 20:54

I was supposed to give blood a few weeks back but they have changed the times for DS2 transport so I couldnt fit it in. Its really hard to fit in blood donation with school runs round here (cant do evenings).

So I thought - got to go for shrinky appt so pop over to the Blood HQ after then spot of shopping.

Big fucking mistake.

Chugger was deffo 'i want to be actor' type. I am going to take a handful of Anthony Nolan and blood donation leaflets next week and hand them out to every fucking bright sparky twenty something who trys to explain how important it is to end world poverty, cure cancer or whatever! Soon as they start the 'awright mate' bollocks or 'hi wow your hair looks nice today' crap I am going to corner them for at least twenty minutes until they agree to sign up AND phone them on a weekly basis to thank them for their interest and just have a 'little chat' about donation. See how they fucking like it!

You bloodly lot are right making me with all the inspiration stuff. I am thrilled at the idea of you signing up for blood donation and stuff. Really thrilled.

nickle I cant eat anything else! I have just snarfed a valium if that counts and I am planning to be asleep again as soon as I can get away with it.

OP posts:

SmethwickBelle · 02/12/2011 20:58

It is absolutely normal to be super attuned to the symptoms your daughter had so I don't think you are crazy mad mama, but objectively I can tell you anaemia is cause by a zillion things other than cancer and you haven't let your daughter down at all - you went to give blood - it isn't your fault they didn't take it!

Can you go to the docs and ask them for a thorough bloods check? It would set your mind at rest. Please have a or and go easy on yourself tonight x

Original poster

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 20:58

Thank you amiciss . I am 44 but had a baby 19 mths ago and I had a feeling it might sort of push me into early/peri menopause. I know I am young but I dont know when its usual in my family as both mum and sis had to have early hysterectomies.

I KNOW there are hundreds of simple reasons why my hb might be low but I just dont have that innocence anymore. I am not a pessimist by nature but when it comes to health one disease just looms large in every single fecking bloody situation. Its takes over. Its like that, the bastard.

And stuff like this just makes me miss my girl even more.

OP posts:

FoxyRevenger · 02/12/2011 21:01

MrsDV I am a regular blood donor and on the bone marrow register because of the lovely way you have talked about Billie on here since I joined a couple of years back.

So there

JamieComeHome · 02/12/2011 21:02

true: bastard

I know what you mean - you just want to say to the chuggers "child, you know nothing. Do not patronise me"

Original poster

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 02/12/2011 21:06

foxy really?

jamie yeah I am going to say THAT next time. Then swish my fake pashmina in a haughty manner and stalk off.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6