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Old Sun Jan 29, 2012, 02:23 AM
cathybee1 cathybee1 is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Fort Jones, California
Posts: 399
Bruce gets transfusions when his hgb is below 8.3. He's usually not symptomatic then. But...this week, when he had his bloodwork, he was at 8.1 and could definitely tell it was time. He was tiring easily, and coming up stairs caused breathlessness. It wouldn't seem like .2 would make such a difference. But in Bruce's case, it does. So, I would think you should be able to decide and not the doctor. Btw, at our local hospital, if you are at 7, you can go into the ER and get a transfusion, no questions asked.

As far as expiry date, Bruce has asked his doctor to request the freshest blood possible. Now the nurses at the outpatient unit where he gets his transfusions pass that request on routinely. The blood from the transfusion yesterday had an expiry of February 9.

What a great idea, Greg, to take pictures of your blood!
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Catherine, wife of Bruce age 75; diagnosed 6/10/11 with macrocytic anemia, neutropenia and mild thrombocytopenia; BMB suggesting emerging MDS. Copper deficient. Currently receiving procrit and neuopogen injections weekly, B12 dermal cream and injections, Transfusions ~ 5 weeks.
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