Cold Fusion

We arrived at the Infusion Clinic at 8:30 a.m. to get 2 units of packed red blood cells.  We left the Infusion Clinic at 3:30 p.m.!

The first unit went in without a problem, but I had a bad reaction to the second one.

 I had the shivers and shakes like you wouldn't believe.  It was horrible.  I was just cold all over, and shaking uncontrollably.  My jaw hurt from so much shaking.  Even with the wonderful heated blankets I could not get warm.

  This went on for almost an hour.  It was very scary.  My heart was racing - and I couldn't control that either. I developed a mild fever - 100.7. The nurses were very efficient and attentive, and they paged Dr. Burke.  He recommended 1 gram of Tylenol, and after 30 minutes it kicked in, and the shaking eased up. They repeatedly took my blood pressure and temperature.  We had to go see him when we left the Infusion Clinic.

Already cold but so far no bad reaction.

Shake, rattle and roll - just can't get warm - a bad reaction to unit #2

 Dr. Burke did an EKG and asked me a bunch of questions.  He explained that it's a common reaction to a blood transfusion. (!)  I must say it hasn't been common for me.  Finally he let me go home, but he wants us to come back at 8:00 in the morning to see what my heart is doing.

 When we got home, I went right to bed and slept until 8:00.  Dick made me a scrambled egg, and I felt so much better.  My heart rate is back to normal and I feel so much better.  See how much better I feel?  I said it twice.

I'm expecting to feel terrific tomorrow.  I've had 1 3/4 units of fresh blood, and I should be pumped up and full of energy!