My First Blood Transfusion

Lately it seems that something has always come up to pause the chemo treatments, I need these treatments and want to get this new chemo started and at least make it worth loosing my hair! So this week I was finally able to get both rounds, making this my first full chemo treatment in about 5 to 6 weeks. While my white blood cells drop frequently and a simple shot will boost them, my reds have always remained borderline healthy. Until now. I was still able to get treatment but they sent me in for a blood transfusion as soon as the infusion center could get me in. I didn't know what  to expect. In fact I didn't even know they let me keep my old blood. I thought they swapped it all out. Thankfully they do not, they just add a few pints to your existing blood. In my case they only added red blood cells. Not iron, or platelets or anything fancy, just red blood cells. I needed 2 bags and they said to plan on staying there for 2 hours per bag. I packed a backpack full of books, notebooks for list making and doodeling, and apple gadgets with accessories to get me though 4 hours of just sitting. The first thing they did when I got there was give me a Benadryl, negating all of my packing and any need to do anything that requires opening my eyes and thinking at the same time. I don't remember much. My dad took me and stayed with me most of the time, and Tony stopped by when he got out of work. I know my dad left for a walk, or at least he claims to have taken a walk, I don't recall him being anywhere expect for the chair next to my bed. When it was over, (in only 3 hours!) one of the nurses fixed my port! For the past month or so my port has only been working one way. Thankfully it was taking fluids but it would not draw (give) fluids, i.e. blood. So every visit to the cancer center lately has been a chemo push in my port and a blood draw from my arm. They have to draw a lot and often, which is why I got the port in the first place. My chemo nurse spent so much time trying to fix it and pushing fluids to de-clog whatever was stuck in it. When I checked in today they said they would fix it before I left, I tried to not get my hopes up just in case, but she was able to fix it!! I love it!!! When she was done she mentioned I got my color back, she wasn't joking! I didn't realize how pale I had been looking. When I went to look in the mirror, my foundation looked like a white clown face! My entire body is warm and pink again! I didn't realize how bad it was until they fixed it! I hope I won't have to do transfusions often, but at least I had a positive experience and if I do need more, I know to where better clothes for it, I wore jeans in my bed today :) I also know that I will be sleeping the majority of the time so there is no need for iPads, headphones, a list of youtube videos, 2 books and a notebook.
If you donate blood and don't already have someone you donate for, please consider donating in my name, Janice Bardone. I only used 2 pints today, but I know there may be a need for more in the future. And if I end up not needing it someone else will! Thank you!
And now I am going back to bed to enjoy the last remaining effects of the Benadryl.