I can't donate blood to bank for dd's surgery.

[BamaTanya]

Neither can dh. She's rh- and we're positive.
Should I worry about this? (She'll be having back surgery for scoliosis.)

We have a relative who has the same type and has "kind of" offered to donate. She's a lovely person. She's married to someone who has been involved in drug abuse off/on for years.

Would that bother you?

I don't want to come off as elitist.

What is the purpose of banking blood, anyway? It's not like blood from a relative is better than that in a blood bank, right?

Help me sort out my feelings on this.

2 of our other dc have the same type, too, but they're too young to donate!

Should I just not worry about it since dh and I can't donate for her?

tia

[Tammy]

How old is your dd? Maybe she can donate....for herself!

[shell in SC]

DD had 4 or 5 units when she had her back surgery (I can't remember the exact amount). We did not bank any blood and I asked if we could or would need to when they decided to do that transfusions and was told that it wasn't necessary. I felt fine about her getting blood from the blood bank. She would not have needed the blood normally, but her blood count fell drastically low for an unknown reason and she had to have 2 transfusions. So your child may not NEED blood, it may be needed if there's a complication.

DD actually has actually become more aware and appreciative of the blood donating process b/c we didn't bank. She wants to donate when she's able. She knows that she's alive b/c of someone elses generousity and she wants to be able to give someone else a chance to live.

I hope that everything goes well for you. I know how stressful the whole situation can be. The longest day of my life was the day that she spent 7+ hours in surgery to repair her back! Keep us posted!

[BamaTanya]

or heavy enough to bank her own.

The dr's office contacted us and sent papers for the donation of 2 units.

Oh, well.

I guess I'll focus on the surgery and try not to worry about the blood.

[5sons]

a close friend who had to have a blood transfusion for a surgery, and developed a blood disorder from it. They did not catch the problem with the doner's blood. This is rare, but that it why some people would like to have blood from someone they trust just in case. It is also rare that your daughter would need a transfusion for this kind of surgery.

IMHO I would not trust blood that might be linked to drug use. One of the fastest ways to spread std's ect. is through drug needle use.

These days the donated blood is checked realy well, but all men make mistakes sometimes. If you donate your own blood (if you could) it just gives you that extra measure of safety.

These are just some reasons why we donate blood when our family members have surgery.

Hope all goes well:)

Kristen

[kpupg]

My dd had open heart surgery at age 7. We are different types, so I was unable to donate. DH was not willing. She got anonymous blood.

As for anyone else in the world, you don't know where they have been, so to speak. Just because you know someone well does not mean they are not linked -- through no fault of their own -- to tainted sources. Anyone who has received blood or blood products can be tainted through no fault of their own. And of course, personal behavior history can link someone innocent as well through those connections.

You may feel more secure with certain family members, and that is wonderful if you can find them and if they are willing. I was a little surprised and disappointed in our case that absolutely no one was willing. Sigh.

I used to donate blood to the Red Cross four times a year. I was ready, willing, even eager to donate for my dd, but sheesh we are different types -- she's O and I'm A. Maybe she can donate for me someday, but I am helpless to help her in that way.

You will hear all the horror stories people have to tell -- sorta how a pregnant woman gets to hear everyone else's horror stories :001_rolleyes: Why won't people just keep their horror stories to themselves? It really is quite rare in this day and age, but not impossible to get a disease from donated blood. So add that to your prayers, I guess.

I'm sorry, this is no easy, warm fuzzy answer, but I know exactly how you feel about the blood issue. Praying for both of you.
Karen

[Christine]

I'm rh negative. . .and I'm "clean", but I'm forbidden to donate as we lived in England for almost 3 years (during the mad cow outbreak). Not that I ate English beef. . .but I guess it's the principle of it all.

However, I hope that brings you consolation. There are quite rigorous "standards" in place.

I know you wish you could help your daughter, but your blood is unacceptable to her body. Your heart is your best healing power, let the blood be someone else's offering.

[Pamela H in Texas]

Do you have a bloodless (or bloodless FRIENDLY) hospital nearby? I don't know where all of them are. I recently saw an article that one hospital in San Antonio is joining the ranks though as it's safer to not get blood.

I could probably help you find something. You might also ask local Witnesses (Witnesses have a committee for each area to help keep witnesses blood-free when hospitalized).

Even though you obviously aren't against blood transfusing, this is one of those things where it probably is BEST to avoid it if at all possible. Medical personnell actually have lots of things they can do before and after so that transfusing is not necessary. They are finally learning that it is better to do so. In fact, I just read an article THIS WEEK on how they've found that those who get transfused have higher incidences of stroke, heart attack, etc later in life. This was from Duke Medical School in Durham, NC.

Anyway, not sure I'm clear. I guess my thought is to try to make it bloodless if at all possible so you don't have to worry about where the blood comes from, what was missed in the blood, the person's lifestyle, etc.

[gardenschooler]

Tanya, I just wanted to jump in and tell you I'll be thinking of you and praying for your dd's surgery to go well. My dd had this surgery two years ago, and it all went so smoothly that she ended up not needing any blood tranfusions at all. Don't fret about the blood - it is checked very thoroughly. :grouphug:

[Tarheel Heather]

Before your dd gets any blood they will type and screen and cross match. If there is anything, the lab will catch it. It has advanced a lot in the past 10 years as far as the testing goes!

As for donor blood, the Red Cross or what ever banking facility does extensive testing on it. It is routinely screened for diseases and the like.

I spent many a night doing the above.

[CleoQc]

but I'm forbidden to donate as we lived in England for almost 3 years (during the mad cow outbreak).

hey, me too! And I only spent 5 weeks in England (well 10 weeks, 5 per year over a period of 2 years). That's where I got my English from... So now I'm bilingual, but can no longer donate blood...

Weird.