[deeno]

Originally Posted by bebop

Dad had to do this also from the beginning due to antibodies. same with his platelets. they get a few people that are compatible and use their blood from my understanding. it takes up to 6 hrs for those donors to give. to me that is amazing that strangers would do that for others. it didn't really affect how often he got blood though. once a week to 10 days for blood and 2 times a week for plts but he was in total marrow failure or aml by that time.

I am also amazed and humbled at how much strangers give up for MDS patients. I couldn't find out online how donated blood equates to tranfused PRBC units, But if it is 6 hours that should be about 12 pints of donated blood. Yikes.

Bebop - That is interesting about finding a match to source repeatedly for your dad's trx's, I guess I thought the antibodies would be different every time and that is why they have to type him the day before.

Readers: Do you think it is wise to hold out as long as possible before getting the trx, or follow the cbc threshholds? Dad received a trx b/c his hemoglobin went from 8.9 to 7.8, he claims that he felt the same as always, no shortness of breath, just sleeps alot. He wants to insist next time that he wait until he feels bad. When he tells me this I think he's practicing on me, before he stands up to his dr.