For the past 2 months or so I have been feeling really tired, more than the usual chemotherapy fatigue. I literally would have to sit down after carrying a bag of groceries upstairs to my kitchen, I would need to catch my breath before I could put them away. Walking from the parking lot into my clinic, I would have to take time to recover.
I told my medical team that something was wrong. I was put thru tests, I spent time in the Emergency Room, and I got different meds. But nothing seemed to help. It just got worse and worse. Finally yesterday I had blood drawn to show my RBC and Hemoglobin #s. The lab ladies, who I saw last week Wednesday, told me I looked terrible. My numbers were low, and have been low for over 2 months. My chemo is killing the cancer, but also causing issues.
I went and got typed and crossed again yesterday so that I was able to get a transfusion today. This morning at 7:30 I sat in a recliner in the infusion center. The nurses who I saw last Friday told me I looked terrible. I covered up with a blanket and began the process. I received 2 liters of A+ blood today. I was in infusion for over 5 hours today. But I am starting to feel much better tonight.
I am on a break this week from chemotherapy, so I will see next week Wednesday what my #s are. I know I will have to increase my iron intake again. That means more steaks on the grill and more liver and bacon. Good thing I like steak, liver, and bacon.
To those that donate blood, thank you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to sit in a recliner for a length of time and donate your life-saving blood. It is truly a gift and I really do appreciate it.
I do hope that my medical team gets me a transfusion sooner in the future. This no-energy, feeling of lightheadedness is an ugly feeling to live with.
Thank you to my medical team, my coworkers, family, and friends for your support.
Cancer sucks!!!