Re: Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

[Guest guest]

Dear Cam and ,

Cam I was very interested to read that your doc gave you an estimated blood

loss for each stage of the surgery, and even a range of estimated blood

loss. I guess Kumar was lucky to know going into my two revisions that I was

a bleeder based on my blood loss during my decompression. I have been

throughly worked up by a blood specialist, and they have no reason for why I

bled so much. I just want people approaching surgery to know that despite

the fact that I bled a lot, the doc's are very experienced with bleeding,

and if I was ever in trouble they would have closed me up and staged my

surgery. We went into the surgery with me knowing that if the bleeding was

too bad they'd close me up and go back in about ten days. I really wanted to

have it over in one day, but my health is most important, and if it had to

be staged I would have understood. I felt comfortable with the blood supply,

and in my three surgeries with Dr. Kumar I have had a total of 21 units, and

I'm perfectly fine, all tests check out well. While my blood loss was very

concerning, it worked out okay. , while doc's won't know how you'll do

bleeding wise till they get in there, they are very experienced, and if they

come across undue bleeding, they will do what necessary to keep you safe. Be

also aware that in reading many accounts of these surgeries, I'm at the

upper most limit of blood given to a patient, so this should make you feel

better, I'm the exception not the rule. Once again I'm special, so tired of

that name tag! Hope this makes you feel better!

Colorado Springs

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

> ,

>

> You asked how much blood I used. I know you have read enough now to

> know that eveyone is very different in this regard... so I don't

> know how relevant my case will be...except to say that Dr Rand's

> paper indicates that for the way he stages/accomplishes this surgery

> the Stage I (posterior) blood loss was 1870 cc (range 500-4000cc)

> and stage 2/3 (anterior-posterior) average blood loss was 1759

> (range 700-2800).

>

> My report indicates I lost 1260 cc...low-average in stage 1...and my

> report doesn't say anything about blood loss in stage 2/3...(except

> the report of the vascular surgeon...indicates 100cc). I had banked

> 3 units and my brother donated 1 unit. I used my two units and a

> cell saver during surgery and then received my last unit the day

> after surgery. I assume I used my brothers blood during the second

> surgery and blood from the bank...but don't know..I will have to ask.

>

> As you say, it is not something to get worked up about. I believe

> the blood supply is safe. I also believe that the risk/benefit ratio

> on the blood donation question is different for everyone...so it

> really is an individual thing. For instance, I imagine for someone

> like who was a known " bleeder " the doctors would have very

> definite reasons for and against pre-surgical blood donation. For an

> otherwise healthy individual like myself, there are reasons for and

> against auto-donation and they really need to be determined in the

> case of each individual with their doctor.

>

> You are going to do fine with you sisters blood and other banked

> blood and you shouldn't worry any more about it.

>

> On the walking and standing question...well, at the risk of sounding

> like I am bragging...I just returned from a four day trip that would

> have been a hellish nightmare 10 months ago. Without even

> considering what I was agreeing to on the " front side " we planned a

> last minute trip to Boston for New Years Eve. I took the subways and

> walked the city for 3 days. I went the the Museum of Science for the

> day chasing 3 kids (in a mob scene of vacation visitors to the Star

> Wars exhibit). My hubby then decided we should walk back across town

> to the Common to see the fireworks since it was just starting to

> snow and it was soooo pretty. So I even walked Bostons uneven icey

> sidwalks with nary a twinge.

>

> To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area IKEA

> and spent the better part of the day walking through and picking out

> new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line for

> more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it was

> a happy new year for me.

>

> Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>

> Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

> Cam

>

>

> <heatherbenjaminnicholas@y...> wrote:

>>

>> --Sharon,

>> They told me at NEBH that they recycle blood too..I guess they

>> request alot just in case?? I don't know..when Cam gets back on

>> Island maybe she can refesh our memory as to how much blood she

>> actually needed, I know she did state it at one point...

>> I must say I am also so, so jealous at folks who can walk for

> great

>> lengths of time ..Target for an hour..i'd die to do that!! Just a

>> year ago I was in NYC and walked from 28th street up 5th ave to

> 87th

>> street and did not give it two seconds of thought,,my, what a

>> difference a year makes

>>

>> I wish everyone a very happy safe, healthy and most of all PAIN

> free

>> new year...., PA (still in Boston...)

>>

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Very interesting, .

I went to college in Quincy, and stayed there for about 11 years after

graduating. I used to play organ at a little church in Southie. We lived

in Roslindale and Dedham when I was little, then moved to Maine. My dad

grew up in Hyde Park and it was kind of rough way back then.

There were things I liked about the city, but now that I'm spoiled on peace

and quiet it would be very hard to go back.

Sharon

[ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

>> >> > To cap the trip off, yesterday we went to the new Boston area

> IKEA

>> >> > and spent the better part of the day walking through and

> picking

>> > out

>> >> > new bedroom furniture for my son and then had to stand in line

> for

>> >> > more than 1/2 hour to check out. No problems noted. YEAH! So it

>> > was

>> >> > a happy new year for me.

>> >> >

>> >> > Next year you will be doing the same thing !

>> >> >

>> >> > Stay Calm and Stay Positive,

>> >> > Cam

>> >>

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> > scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>> >

[Guest guest]

Sharon and

Sharon, you said, "So maybe it's mainly fear of the unknown".

I really think that's the main reason for the fear. That's not to say this is a cakewalk; been there done that and it's a b----. But I'll bet you anything (well, almost anything) it's not as bad as you think it may be.

And as for the kids, , I know you have special issues, but to the extent they can, I'll bet everyone at home pitches in and all will work out on the home front. I remember back to my first surgery in 1977. My kids were 11 and 7 and their Dad left for work before they awoke in the morning. At first, I could do nothing for them to help get them ready in the morning, being very weak and wearing a 25 pound body cast. Neither of them ever left their homeowrk or lunch at home, and they actually got themselves appropriately dressed and out the door on time to catch the school bus. Once I was well enough to supervise once again, they no longer seemed to be able to do all of that on their own!

Bonnie

Re: [ ] Re: bloody issues & walking -mary

I gave six units of blood for myself, through the Red Cross, who sent it to the Brigham for free. I must tell those of you who are so worried about giving, the people know you are nervous and they do everything they can to make it as easy as possible. There is someone nearly at your side the whole time. It was my understanding that, within hours, the body replaces that blood and all is well. I teeter on the anemic side, so was told to eat raisins, and got turned away only once for a low hematocrit.

Please do not get so upset about it? It will go like clockwork! Just my opinion; I have no medical degrees, but a very long surgical history.

Sincerely,

Carole M.