Hello!
Mixed feelings today…excitement at coming to the end of my chemo…last one on Monday!
But marred by the possibility being raised of needing a blood transfusion a few days after as my haemoglobin levels are really low and I’ve had a month of crashing fatigue.
I’ve got four weeks of radio after the chemo so the chemo nurse said that makes it more likely that i’ll have the blood transfusion.
I’m a little apprehensive about a blood transfusion so was just wondering if anyone here has needed one, and what their experience was?
Hi Sarah,
I haven’t had a blood transfusion, but have been on the other side of this & have certainly seen the benefit for those that have had them.
If your hb is low, it will take a while for this to recover naturally without it, so the transfusion will help to get you back on your feet a lot sooner in dealing with fatigue.
Hopefully, one of the other ladies who have had one, will be along to share their experience of this.
ann x
While you’re waiting for responses on here, I thought I’d let you know that we have an email volunteer who had a blood transfusion. Her name is Karen and you can view her profile **here **which includes her email address if you’d like to email her about her experience of this.
I was going to have a blood transfusion but they decided to stop my chemo instead and bring the rads forward then continue with Herceptin.
I don’t think you have anything to worry about because a lady in my unit has to have them every 3 or 4 weeks for life because the chemo damaged her bone marrow for good. She says she feels wonderful for a week or so after it and starts to feel very tired and drained when she is due another one.
She has to plan holidays and events around her transfusions.
I am new to this forum, but am finding it very helpful reading!
I just wondered how you got on with your blood transfusion? I had my fifth (of 6) chemo sessions yesterday, but have also been told I need to have two units of blood as my levels are quite low, 9.3. I have to go back tomorrow to have this. How did you find it? I’ve been told it takes a long time and they have to monitor your temperature regularly, which always worries me!