June 27, 2023
David went to the local hospital to get blood crossmatch testing for a blood transfusion. This is done to ensure the donated blood is a match for the recipient. All blood has the same parts but not all blood is the same type. People have different types bases on antigens. Antigens trigger the body’s immune system. An incompatible transfusion can result in the recipient’s immune system attacking the donated blood causing serious or life-threatening reactions. He got a red wrist band he had to keep on until he came back. If it got wet and damaged, the crossmatch would need to be done again.
STUCK. REPEATEDLY. (-d)
This point is the beginning of when I start being stuck by needles more times than I ever have been in my life. Interestingly enough, I was terrified of needles as a kid and have gotten only slightly less afraid as life has gone on. At this point, it’s not my favorite thing but at least my blood pressure stays within reasonable limits at the thought of it. I’ve never had a blood transfusion before, so I’m a little nervous about it at this point but I see it is a necessity, and I’m definitely on board with it. My biggest questions at this point are finding our way around to the different departments and places to get all the lab and transfusion work done. That said, at every point there was someone if not several really helpful people that guided us and reassured me every step of the way.