So the word for the day is "transfusion".
Mom had another blood draw today and the verdict is she needs more blood.
They want her up in Seattle at 10:00 AM for a "type and cross" of her blood, then she can leave and they put her blood through a special wash before they infuse it. She has to leave and go kill time before returning at 1:00 PM to get the transfusions.She will receive two units of blood tomorrow so it will be an all day event.
Now, I do know that Mom has gotten numerous blood transfusions, but for the life of me I can't figure out why she would need it type/crossed again.
Does anyone out there have an answer? I know that she has received a lot of blood that is (obviously)her type and it has all been through a special washing, but could it alter the blood type in any way that it would change it? I can't imagine that it would, but I thought I would check to see if anyone else had a decent answer.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.
Kimberly
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6 comments:
HELLO LADEVA,
SO YOU HAVE TO GO GET SOME MORE BLOOD. HATED TO HEAR IT, BUT IT MUST BE THE BEST TO DO. I NEVER HEARD OF THE BLOOD TYPE CHANGING, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF THING THAT I I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.
WE ARE HOPING AND PRAYING THAT YOU FEEL LIKE COMPANY COME WEDNESDAY. BUT IF YOU DON`T LET US KNOW AND WE WILL COME SOME OTHER TIME. YOU KNOW THAT WE TALKED ABOUT DOING LUNCH WITH EDDIE FOR HER BIRTHDAY. DARLENE IS PLANING TO COME AND THEN SHE HAS A APPOINTMENT WITH THE CHIROPRACTOR LATER THAT DAY UP THAT A WAY.
OUR FAMILY HAS GOTTEN CLOSE TO GOD THROUGH THIS AND I PRAY THAT WE WILL ALWAYS BE CLOSE FROM NOW ON.
GLAD TO READ THE BLOG AND HEAR FROM THE TEXAS KIN FOLKS. I SURE DO LOVE THEM.
WILL GO FOR NOW, YOU KNOW THAT WE LOVE YOU SO.AND WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU.
LOVE FROG
Kim,
I looked this up online and it is to determine the compatibility between patient serum and donor red blood cells.
The blood bank will set those units aside for the patient and are avail. if needed.
Hello Ladeva and family,
I think I have an answer to your question. Whenever you receive a transfusion, you're body recognizes this blood as foreign and makes antibodies against certain parts of it. Your body does recognize the major parts of the blood being transfused (ie the blood type, O postive, A negative, etc.) but as we are exposed to various pathogens, our body's immune system builds up more and more antibodies that circulate in the blood. It's these extra antibodies that the body doesn't recognize and may sometimes react against. Most times this doesn't cause a problem, but the more antibodies the body is exposed to, the more the body reacts, and this can ultimately cause the red blood cells to split apart which completely ruins the reason for the blood transfusion in the first place, not to mention, it can also cause a patient to become quite sick.
To prevent this from happening, a Type and Cross is generally only good for a brief period of time (most often 3 days). While you're blood type doesn't change, the technologists in the blood bank would want to ensure that no additional antibodies that you made against previously transfused blood need to isolated to prevent you from having a transfusion reaction.
Incidentally, the "washing" that occurs is to remove all the white blood cells from the transfusion. The body tends to react more strongly to white blood cells that are not recognized as being from the patient which can be a problem with patients receiving chemotherapy.
I hope this helped answer the question. If any of this didn't make sense, I'd be happy to try to explain it better.
My prayers are with you.
Jonathan Hecht RN BSN CCRN
JonathanDHecht@gmail.com
Austin, TX
One last thing...
The "washing" also removes the blood plasma from the red blood cells that since the plasma contains large proteins which the body can also have a reaction to.
Jonathan
See how loved you are? Two EXCELLENT responses as to the need for new testing to determine how to deal with antibodies... (Kudos guys.... timely and uplifting). We all knew this was going to be a long and arduous journey - and I am sure some days seem endless, but as you can see, your encourager team is ready and willing to pray and to cheer you on and give you every kind of support they can because you and Warren are both SO LOVED and RESPECTED. I loved Frog's comment on how it has solidified and pulled your family back together in a new and special way. The Kempf's have always been a Godly family, but in times of heartache is when a family comes into agreement and pulls together. I found that when we lost my brother Jim.... He came to know the Lord thru his illness and died knowing he was heaven bound. Believe it or not, but it was Mickey who led him to the Lord - he could see the change in Mickey's life and wanted to know how to find that peace and joy. We don't always understand the WHY's of a thing, but we do understand that it is all for God's glory and His purpose, and we can trust HIM to lead us thru. One of God's ways of leading is to provide friends, family and loved ones who are supportive. SO, know that you are loved and supported.... ALL of you....
HEY SIS,
HANG IN THERE SWEETIE.
WE ARE ALL ROOTIN FOR YOU!!!!
LOVE YA, DEE.
djkz
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