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Aileen and her father, Saul, have always had a very close relationship. In mid February, 2004 Aileen met her father in his New York home to celebrate his 78th birthday. “It was at that time when I noticed something was wrong,” Aileen comments.
Saul was an active man, even in his elder years. He could ride his motorcycle, walk through a mall and attend college classes without problems. Therefore, when he began huffing and puffing after climbing his basement stairs, Aileen was concerned. As a nurse, Aileen was always attune to any health issues regarding her father.
After a normal visit with the doctor, Saul was confident nothing was wrong. However, the blood work results were not as positive. After the results were in, Saul’s doctor advised him to go to the hospital. His hemoglobin was a level 6. Normal hemoglobin is normally between 14 and 17.5 in a healthy male. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood and Saul’s blood was simply not carrying enough oxygen.
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He was admitted to the hospital and further testing was done. A bone marrow biopsy indicated that Saul had Aplastic Anemia. This is a disease where the bone marrow stops producing new red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells. Symptoms include: shortness of breath, weakness, rapid heart rate, fever, skin rashes; susceptibility to infections, along with many others.
Instantly, all Saul’s blood levels began to plunge. The only option, at his age, was to undergo a medicinal treatment to stimulate the bone marrow to produce new cells. The drug takes three months or longer to initially work. “We had to figure out something to do in the meantime, I knew he needed blood transfusions,” says Aileen. His levels continued to plummet. “That was the start of his transfusions. My father received multiple transfusions of white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells.”
Saul had to go for blood work every week and if the counts were low, he would have to receive a blood transfusion. He and his wife became regulars at the hospital. Saul knew when he needed to be transfused. He would be tired, weak and short of breath.
Aileen recalls, “He would go in for the transfusion like a delicate, wilted flower in the sun. He would leave like a thriving plant that was just watered, standing up straight and rejuvenated. That was how he was when he received blood.”
“The transition in the way he felt was amazing. He had always been a donor during his life. He never thought he would be a recipient as well. I still remember his first transfusion when he felt so much better. He couldn’t have been more thankful or appreciative to the blood donors,” remarks Aileen.
Over time, his disease became a more serious issue. Eventually, Saul developed immobilizing back pain caused by an infection. This was a reaction to low white blood cells. The only option to subside the pain was major abdominal and back surgery. The operation was risky, but he came through with flying colors, receiving transfusions throughout the whole process.
Many more months passed before needing a transfusion again. All the blood transfusions had saved Saul’s life. Unfortunately, the medicines he was taking caused him to have kidney problems. In time, Saul needed to restart the transfusions.
“He knew it was the gift of life and that he would feel better when he had the transfusions,” says Aileen. He had to re-start the process of treatment so his bone marrow could generate new cells again. Then, in early March 2006, he passed away.
Patients like Saul often receive life-sustaining blood products to enhance and many times even lengthen their lives, while undergoing medical treatments. Volunteer blood donors are a major line of defense in helping them fight life-threatening diseases.
Aileen expresses her gratitude by saying: “We are so thankful to all the blood donors, not only for my father, but for all the people that need blood and are helped by blood donors. I know the blood transfusions kept my Dad alive. I was able to enjoy him for two years more than I would have, had he not had the transfusions. They were his lifeline.”
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