TDD Story 3

“And this bracelet is just in case if you have to get a blood transfusion” the nurse said as she attached a bright red bracelet to my wrist to finalize my hospital admission to deliver our first child. ‘Surely I will not be needing any blood,’ I remember thinking to myself.

After a full 24 hours of labor, I finally delivered our son into the world. He was perfect and was never in any distress, something my husband and I prayed for. My condition, however, deteriorated rapidly. I remember very little immediately following the birth but one thing that I do recall was hearing my doctor say “She won’t stop bleeding”. After an emergency and ultimately life saving procedure, I lost 1200 cc’s of blood (20% of my total blood volume). I regained consciousness about 4 hours after the birth. The following morning, my doctor told me we needed to go ahead and do a blood transfusion. I looked down at that red bracelet that I thought would never be used and was so humbled to know a blood transfusion was available because someone out there donated some of theirs. I received 4 bags of blood, some of which was from you. My family and I are so beyond grateful to you for your donation. You helped a husband have a wife and a brand new baby have a mother. I was discharged from the hospital the day after I received the transfusion and have made a full recovery. Again, thank you so much for donating blood and helping to save my life. God bless you and your family.”