Citrus Springs, Florida
Hello, and thank you for reading. My name is Karen, and I’m alive today because someone like you cared enough to donate blood. It has been roughly 11 years, and I still shudder at the thought of dying after having my last child. I had a great pregnancy at age 40, and my water broke at 7AM on 10.11.2012. I was progressing very well, and was 7 cm dilated, but noticed that my son was having heart decelerations with every contraction, so my doctor got me worked up for a c section, to my complete disappointment.
I only remember hearing my baby cry once, then came the ketamine push. I woke up screaming in ICU after they sewed me up. There were 5 people running in all directions, and I had not one clue as to what was going on, but I sensed something was terribly wrong. I kept passing out ether from meds or blood loss, and was later diagnosed with DIC. DIC is classically characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of widespread vascular clot deposition, compromising an adequate blood supply to various organs, and thereby contributing to organ failure. I was given a 5% chance to live, and after further testing, 11 pints of whole blood & platelets, & lots of prayers, I survived. My blood type is A-, and I cannot thank my donors enough that I’m still here to write this testimony.
