[kullybunnny1]

Why so much blood drawn 100 days post-transplant?

by kullybunnny1 on Mon Jun 23, 2014 5:29 pm

Question, I just returned from my cancer center after having blood work drawn in preparation for my 100 day post-transplant doctor visit.

I had 18 vials drawn.

Why?

Sorry if this seems simple, but I'm having difficulty tracking down the answer.
Kully

[brothers keeper]

Re: Why so much blood drawn 100 days post-transplant?

by brothers keeper on Sat Jul 25, 2015 9:49 am

This is a mystery to me. My little brother has been in the hospital 5 weeks now. His bones are so full of cancer cells, meaning there's not much room for red blood cells to do their job, and yet they draw blood every single day, multiple times a day. That just seems so contradictory to me, since he's so anemic to start with. I've seen them draw multiple vials, then turn around and give him blood!!??! And he's not even doing chemo at this point.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Why so much blood drawn 100 days post-transplant?

by Nancy Shamanna on Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:08 am

Hi Brother's Keeper,

The reason behind drawing so many vials of blood is that many different tests are done. For ex­ample, he is probably being tested for a complete red blood cell count, complete white blood cell count, electrophoresis test, serum free light chain test, creatinine, calcium, and more. The lab would want separate vials since they go to different areas for testing. I know I get at least five vials taken for routine testing. It's an ongoing issue that he would be having now, as a patient.