Donating Blood - A personal expierience

Today at school, United Blood Services team is here collecting blood from those who are willing to donate. I went earlier and donated whole blood. I was sitting there, squeezing the ball, thinking about how precious of a gift blood can be.

August 2010 - When Emmalyn was in the NICU after she was born, about a month in, her blood count was getting low, as well as her iron. She began to look pale, and had almost zero energy. I remember heading into the NICU for our regular visit, and the nurses stopping me before I went to see her. Dr. Doshi explained what was going on, that he was trying to wait to see if she would catch up because she should be able to do so. What was happening is her body was growing very well. But her blood couldn't keep up with her growth. Due to her entering the world 10 weeks early. Every morning they pricked her foot to test her blood for numerous things, and after a few days of waiting to see if she would catch up. Dr. Doshi ordered the blood transfusion. It was to late for any of us(family) to donate for her, or see if we were a match etc. They didn't have time to clean the blood the way it needed to be. So although there was a 1 in a million chance she would get something from this blood transfusion, it was still a little scary for us to think that someone else's' blood would be flowing through our little girls veins.

We signed off on the transfusion, and they let me stay in the NICU with her for the entire transfusion, I was to be quiet, and not touch her, or disturb the other babies. But I was so thankful they let me stay in there. The first bag went over an hour I think, and then 1 more over then next 2 hours. I honestly can't remember. I believe she received 50cc's total. It took about 3 hours total.

I was told that I wouldn't believe how much this would help her. That she would perk up, be so lively, and it would make her have a beter chance of going home soon! WOW how exciting is that!

Literally 10 minutes into the transfusion I could see her skin start to pink up, soon she was moving around like little babies do(before this she had become so lethargic, it was not my playful little girl).  After the whole 3 hours(2 bags) I could not believe what a change I saw in my baby girl. Hope was restored that she will thrive and very soon, she would be able to go home with us!

It was a long day in the NICU, but I had such a great time watching a miracle before my eyes. I loved visiting with the nurses. They are such amazing people, who love their job so much! They are angels to me! I think sometimes if I didn't want to teach, I would love to pursue NICU nursing!

So today, while donating blood, I was reminding that we all can make a difference. We can help out one another in so many ways. I am so thankful that whomever one day decided to donate, so my Emmalyn could get better sooner, and come home with us! I wish I could tell them thank you!

Do to others as you would have them do to you Luke 6:31
May God bless you today!