When I went to Day Ward on Monday they put in 1 bag of platelets and 2 bags of reds, and was told that I would need more platelets on Wednesday (today). As I always do, I reminded them that I need platelets that are HLA-matched (collected by apheresis from specifically-matched donors), which usually take 2 days to get from the Histocompatibilty & Immunogenetics Laboratory in Sheffield, so to get them for today they would have to order them on Monday.
I went back to Day Ward today, in real need of those platelets (the slightest knock is causing bruising, I dare not risk even a paper-cut) and indeed the results of this morning's blood-test confirmed a dangerously low platelet count. The duty doctor discussed it with me, then she went off to "look on the system" for my pre-ordered platelets.
But there were no matched platelets ready for me, and nobody could find any evidence that a doctor had raised an order for them on Monday.
As you would expect, I really "lost my shit" - the need for HLA-matching is written/printed through my records like letters through a stick of seaside rock. It has been three years since I started needing pre-ordered HLAs, and that need doesn't just go away. Having "pooled" platelets from the local blood-bank, while convenient, is not an option - for me they could be lethal.
After wasting today, I'm expected back there tomorrow, as they reckon that they can get some via some sort of emergency service. In short, they want someone on a motorbike to bring them down the M1 through Storm Gareth. I wouldn't fancy being that someone.
Just to compound the mess, I'm supposed to be on a 2-day cycle in Day Ward, which means that if I go in on Thursday it's likely that they will want me back in Saturday. I've told them that they can stuff that idea, I have better things to do. Not only is Saturday the final day of the 2019 Six Nations Championship, but we're doing our best to look after Chris - she needs our support as her Mum passed away earlier this week.
So, as I see it, they have 2 options...
1: Order enough for Thursday to last me until Monday;
2: Order some for Thursday and some for Friday.
Whichever option they take, I'll need more on Monday.
Of course, a lot depends on availability - if none of my limited pool of compatible donors has donated platelets since Monday, I'm pretty-much stuffed. Platelets have a typical shelf-life of about five days after transport/testing/washing/irradiation.
Meanwhile, the chemo has intentionally (and hopefully temporarily) stopped my own body's ability to make its own platelets for the next week or two, so without a donation my platelet count will probably be near-enough zero by this time tomorrow.
If you're thinking of becoming a donor, or if you're already a blood-donor and fancy upping your game, please click the following image:
