I briefly mentioned them in previous posts during his induction, but I thought I would write a post about blood transfusions and Chester’s experience with them so far during his treatment for his blood cancer.
When we found out Chester had leukaemia, to be honest, we didn’t know anything about it and what it involved. But then we never dreamt of one of our children having cancer. So when he was first diagnosed and told he had to have a blood transfusion, we were shocked!
We just associated blood transfusions with people who had an accident and lost a lot of blood. But they told us that because his bone marrow was crowded by Leukaemia cells and not producing normal red blood cells and platelets, he would need a “top-up” to stop him from becoming more ill.
What is a blood transfusion?
A blood transfusion is where you are given blood that has been donated by someone else.
Luckily Chester can have it through his Central Line (wiggly), but he has to be connected to an IV pump. If he needs red blood cells it takes around 3-4 hours. Platelets only take around an hour.
The bloods have to be thoroughly checked to make sure he is getting an exact match for his blood type. They have also been screened for infections, removed white blood cells, and separated into the cells needed.
Why have a blood transfusion With Blood Cancer?
Blood cancer itself and all the chemo and treatments for leukaemia can affect how the body makes blood cells. So a transfusion gives you healthy blood cells if your body isn’t producing its own.
When they check Chesters bloods they do a full blood count. When they get below a certain level he starts to become poorly and has side effects, so needs to have one.
If his red blood cells (hemoglobin) become too low then he is anemic and becomes very tired, extremely pale, and very irritable and moody. Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body.
When his platelets are low he starts to have marks and bruises at the slightest touch. If they get too low his blood wouldn’t clot, so if he cut himself it could be dangerous.
Side Effects of Blood Transfusions
Severe side effects from blood transfusions are uncommon. This is because the blood is carefully tested and checked to ensure it’s the right match for you.
Chester has his obs taken before he has the blood. Then shortly after the transfusion begins, and another set of obs after. This includes checking his temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
There’s a very small risk of having an allergic reaction to the donor blood. So we have to keep an eye on any rashes/swelling or breathing issues, etc.
Blood Transfusions So Far
First ever transfusion
The first transfusion he had was in Southampton hospital which was before his treatment had started, so his leukaemia had destroyed his healthy blood cells. As they stored it in their site blood bank it was bought up and went very straightforward.
Second transfusion
The second one needed to be done at Salisbury. This is because we were at home a lot during Chester’s induction, and they are our local hospital. We knew he needed one as he had all these bruises and marks appearing.
They don’t have red blood cells and platelets stored there and have to order them from Bristol.
When his bloods were low and he needed them, they phoned us to say we needed to go in asap. It was around 11 so they said they had ordered them then and to have lunch and come straight after, but not to arrive after 3 because of handovers and reduced staff. So we rushed over, saw the doctor to check him over, and then waited as she said the bloods were downstairs and that they would send for them.
Luckily they had one room left, because of Chester’s immunity and chemo he has to be isolated in his own room. This is because the ward in Salisbury has a mixture of patients with different illnesses that Chester could easily catch and become seriously ill from.
The room was dirty, the bins were full, and there wasn’t a proper bed. Even though they knew we were coming it wasn’t ready for us.
We then waited an hour and still nothing. We then chased up and they said that the bloods weren’t even there and that they should be within half an hour, they had only ordered them from Bristol when we got there!
Half an hour passed and still nothing. So we asked again. This went on for another hour and they just kept saying someone was going downstairs to get them. Poor Chester was stuck in an uncomfortable chair in a small, hot room and was getting more tired as it was getting late.
Finally, they brought them up but we had to sit there for 4 hours to have the transfusion. We arrived at the hospital at 2 pm and finally got home at 10 pm! We wouldn’t have minded getting there later or if they had rang perhaps half an hour before the bloods had arrived, but they lied about them being there and poor Chester was not feeling great and sat there for hours!
Luckily when the bloods arrived we did get moved to a better assessment room with a bed, after around 3 hours of waiting!
We did moan to the community nurse about the experience and the consultant apologized and said next time they will let us know when bloods are definitely there, or not long before.
Third transfusion
The third transfusion he had went smoothly as were already in Salisbury hospital for his Ng tube to be fitted, so they ordered them one evening for the following morning.
Luckily, one of the nurses found a PlayStation that could be wheeled in for Chester to play on. As he had been admitted and stayed for a couple of nights, this really helped pass the time and kept his mind off having his blood transfusion done.
Hopefully, he won’t need many more but even his imatinib which he takes daily, and his weekend antibiotics can all affect the blood cells and counts.
I will keep you updated with any more that he has in his journey and treatment.
