I received my first blood transfusion. My hope was that it would be like an episode of 'True Blood, ' some nudity, violence, adult language and some blood sucking/drinking. It was just short of that.
What is the first thought you have when you hear 'blood transfusion'? Mine is: "Holy shit, I do NOT want some random person's blood in my body!!" My guess is, if I ever need an organ transplant, I will have the same reaction. Needless to say, I am completely skeeved out by getting blood. Completely. I was so nervous, my palms were sweaty and the thought of seeing the bags of blood and watching it travel all the way to my port was nauseating. And just because I had this fear, the IV tubes were unnecessarily and exceptionally long.
I had to go to a different 'treatment' room for the transfusion. I was told to be there at 9:30 and the transfusion would take about 5 hours, probably less. Well, I arrived early (never happens) and out of breath (low hemoglobin (8.5), hence the blood transfusion). I did not go in to the transfusion room until about 10:15. That was not in my plan. The longest I have ever had to sit in a treatment room for chemo was 4 hours too long. Now they have already wasted 45 minutes of my life.
This treatment room had individual pods for each person with openings similar to windows in between so you could sneak peeks at your next door neighbor. I didn't get that warm, fuzzy feeling when I walked in like I do when I get chemo in the other treatment room. My sister came with me for the first half of the transfusion and my mother came for the second half. So naturally, my sister and I were up to no good. We couldn't figure out if this room was the ghetto or V.I.P room of the two treatment rooms.
Blood Transfusion treatment room
1. The recliners and your 'plus one' chairs were not comfortable.
2. You must leave the headphones plugged into the T.Vs ( I got in trouble for unplugging them.)
3. The nurses wear masks, and make you wear masks when they access your port or veins.
4. The nurse alcohol swabs your port for what seems like 5 minutes.
5. As mentioned before, the IV tubes are unnecessarily and exceptionally long.
6. The indicator for when the bags are empty is a piercing, obnoxious door bell sound.
7. And no one appreciated our laughter! In fact, I think they wanted to kick us out.
BUT........
8. I got a secret cupcake from one of the nurses.
9. They serve you lunch! Hello!
10. I got a neck massage.....sweet!
11. The pillows are fluffier and they had enough for everyone.
Chemo treatment room
1. The nurses think my sister and I are hilarious.
2. The seating is more comfortable.
3. They just got a new coffee machine!
4. When the nurses access your port or veins, they get in and they get out.
5. The empty bag indicator sound is way more tolerable.
6. The nurses are happy, funny and pleasant to be around.
7. I can watch T.V. without the headphones.
8. The IV tubes are half the length of the other ones.
BUT........
9. I do not get fed, no secret cupcakes, the pillows have no fluff and no neck massages.
The jury is still out, I can't decide which room is the ghetto and which room is V.I.P.
So I did not start the transfusion until 12:00. Be there at 9:30?? Ok.
Turns out they had to take my blood again to confirm my type, which took forever, and then it takes a while for the actual blood unit to be delivered....in a paper lunch bag!?!
Getting the blood was just as gross as I thought it would be and it is really hard to not look at it.
I was there for 7 hours. I am still trying to figure out if it was worth it, because frankly I don't feel all that different.
The nurse asked me if I have a living will. She has to ask all patients according to the law. Never heard that one before. Is she the ONLY nurse that has to ask this question by law? I should have a living will that tells the hospital to NEVER waste 7 straight hours of my life again!!!!
