Jessica Glasco
"...while my fear is still very present, my desire to give the gift of life is stronger"
I have always had an intense fear of needles and veins. So why would I subject myself to blood donation? Being O negative, my blood type is always in demand, but I was always too afraid to donate.
In May of 2012, Unyts would forever change my family’s life and I would learn the importance of blood donation.
My husband underwent spinal fusion surgery, the surgery was a success and he was released from the hospital. Within the next 24 hours, he would be rushed back to the hospital, barely alive. He has an unknown blood disorder where his blood clots for no reason, he takes Coumadin daily to keep his blood thin and prevent clots. Unfortunately, post operatively he began bleeding internally, his blood too thin to clot at the surgical site. This bleeding caused panic within his body and the loose blood in his abdomen began clotting. We learned on upon being seen in the ER, that he was in kidney and liver failure. He was immediately admitted to the ICU. The doctors were not optimistic.
The next week was a terrifying time for me as my husband fought for his life and I lied to our two young children saying, “Daddy is fine, don’t worry”. I tried making hours in the ICU waiting room seem like an adventure, meanwhile trying to rehearse how I would tell them their father had passed away. He began receiving a variety of blood products, whole blood, platelets and plasma in attempt to reverse the effects of the blood thinners and allow his body to become stable. Two days after arriving in the ER he underwent emergency surgery to remove the loose blood and clots from his abdomen. Another day of a variety of blood products and his kidney function returned, hours later his liver function returned and a week later he was back home with his family on the road to recovery.
The blood donations of others and an amazing staff of doctors and nurses saved my husband’s life. I decided then that I would get over my fear and give back to the very community that saved my husband’s life. I donated for the first time 12/26 at the Tonawanda donation center. I plan to donate on a regular basis and while my fear is still very present, my desire to give the gift of life is stronger!
