Transfusion fear
My red blood count is 75 and the Dr's are wanting me to have a transfusion.
It is my last chemo and I really want to avoid a transfusion as I have a huge aversion to even the thought of it. I would...
Forum Discussion
Hi, It can be hard to discuss such worries with medical people, and I wonder if it might be valuable to identify what it is that bothers you about having a transfusion.
Is it a factual, logical worry, eg because of the health problems people have had from getting blood contaminated with HIV, or Mad Cow disease or other such diseases, and the fact that while they may screen well for the ones we know about they are still learning and there may be factors they do not know about yet? I think most of those involved in recommending a transfusion ought to be happy to answer any questions you have about this sort of thing.
Or is it an emotional fear, a concern of being invaded by foreign/alien material while you are struggling to deal with the foreign/alien material that is cancer? (Emotional concerns are relevent too, and it is really important for healthcare professionals to understand what influences us and our decisions).
Do you know how much blood you need, and would it solve the problem or at least help if you could get friends or relatives with the right blood group to donate for your use? Then it might feel better perhaps?