First time for everything

Blood Transfusion

 

Today Blakelyn got her first blood transfusion. 

The transfusion is 18ml of donor blood given over 3 hours. Her blood type is A+ and the donor blood is O- which is the universal donor blood type. This is her first of 3 or 4 transfusions in our stay here at the NICU!!!

  The reason why she is getting it is because she is starting to destat more then normal. Her oxygen levels are all over the place and her A, B blood count is starting to get low. The doctor is hoping this will help keep her stable and replace all the blood they need to take out. They have to take lots of blood out for all her testing. Her body cant make enough blood to keep up with the blood they are taking. I am just grateful first off that we had the nurse we did today to help keep me calm through this process and help answer my 100's of questions. It is crazy how Ben and I are developing these relationships with all the people around us and how we really rely on them. 

So far the transfusion is going well I will post again and let everyone know how it goes in a few days. But overall Blakelyn is really doing great the doctors are just trying to stay a few steps ahead of her so she stays on a good healthy path. We are greatful she is a fighter and is doing as good as she is.

(the IV in her head is where the blood is going in)