It appears to be Day 11, which means I lost count somewhere

With a Fresh Transfusion Flowing

I must have lost count on days somewhere.  I know one day I had internet connection issues and one day was Ultimate Frisbee night, so I didn't have much time to write.  But the calendar doesn't lie.  Heidi entered here Oct 5 and today is the 15th.  Day 11.  Of course I can't ask Heidi for help because she and I count days differently.  Oh, that's right, I didn't previously post the day counting video for everybody.

Heidi's red blood count fell below the threshold of 7 so now she is receiving a red blood cell transfusion to boost her up.  This is her second today.  Yesterday she received  a transfusion of platelets because that was low.  The chemo drugs are slowly working, killing all the good and bad. 

According to the lab report, a normal red blood count (HGB) is in the range of 11.7-16.  Wikipedia (which is never wrong) lists 12.1-15.1 g/dL as the normal range for women.  Before entering the hospital the threshold for transfusion was 8.  This is low for a healthy person, but okay for someone who is closely monitored and not exercising.  They try to minimize the number of transfusions because it leads to complications like iron poisoning.

Ordering Room Service with Simba Watching

When Heidi first went to the hospital to get an angioplasty for alleged heart disease, she was at 4.2.  Now I understand why the nurses there were so shocked.  People aren't supposed to be able to function that low.  It also explains why we had to turn around after 1/2 mile on a hike a few days previous. 

She has now received 8 pints of red blood and 1 bag of platelets.  This will continue.  Here's a big shout out to all you blood donors.  We heartily thank you (yes, I agree that is a clever use of the adverb heartily).  The oncology ward here goes through a lot of blood keeping people like Heidi going.  To all you who want to give blood, simply go to http://givelife.org/ and search for a place to donate.  I gave double reds 3 weeks ago.  That's a procedure where they withdraw a pint, centrifugally separate the blood cells, pump the remainder back into me and repeat.  I have to wait 16 weeks before I can donate again instead of the usual 8 weeks.  All blood donors pat yourself on the back.  Keep up the good work.