Today is World Blood Donor Day and we decided to feature the real life story told by a grateful recipient below, to illustrate why more people must become regular Blood Donors and the importance of safe blood in the overall wellbeing of recipients.
"On a faithful Wednesday Evening, I was on my way to church for Bible study meeting, when the motor cycle I was a passenger on, ran into a pothole, lost control and collided into a car. Although I had literarily been involved in a Road Traffic Accident, there was no external injury when I got up from the floor. I thought I had luckily escaped being hurt, until I attempted to urinate and noticed that, instead of urine, all that came out was bright red blood! I was rushed to a nearby Government Hospital and was immediately referred by the Doctors-On Call to the Teaching Hospital about an hour's journey from Town. Upon arrival to the Accident & Emergency Department of the Teaching Hospital, we realised that, waiting time would be another hurdle to being seen. All this while, I was bleeding non-stop from the opening at the tip of my penis. I eventually got seen after a few hours and Doctors realised that, I had sustained a tear in the urine pipe referred to as the urethra. I got weaker and weaker as I bled my life out. The Doctors had to urgently transfuse a pint of blood before I was taken into theatre for emergency urethral repair by the Urology Team. Fast forward to a few weeks after I arrived at that Emergency Department, with 2 Units of blood already transfused and 2 failed repairs, I was still bleeding from my water works. As if my troubles were not enough, I eventually had a blood transfusion reaction and I felt like the earth was opening up to swallow me from my blood soaked bed in the Men's Surgical Ward. I needed blood to stay alive but i was reacting to what was available in the Blood Bank. A suitable blood Donor was certainly needed but I honestly didn't have a clue, where that person would come from. My Dad was said not to be suitable because of his age and other issues and my sister had just had a baby. I remember being told that, if I didn't get suitable blood transfused within 24 hours, I would be at high risk of dying. My Dad and sister began to cry inconsolably. All I could do in my helpless state was, pray to God to show His face in my situation and He did by bringing Dr. Kevwe my way. Before the 24 hour timeline would run out the next morning, I surprisingly saw Dr. Kevwe in the Men's Surgical Ward. He was a student then. There were no pleasantries to be exchanged. I can still visualise the shock on his face, as he listened to me, whilst I laid on my Surgical Ward bed in so much agony, with a plastic linen on top the bedsheet and a bowl under the bed, to prevent the dripping blood from staining the bed linen repeatedly or the floor. After listening patiently, he told me that, he needed to run off to write a test and would return to see me later on. A few hours later, Dr. Kevwe returned and to my utter surprise, volunteered for his blood to be tested and matched with mine. That was the turning point for me. His blood was a perfect match. The junior Doctor got the unit of blood transfused and I was taken into theatre the same Evening, for a second repeat repair that eventually turned out successful. Although I ended up spending several months in the Hospital, my life was saved after that blood transfusion; all thanks to God and Dr. Kevwe" ~ Felix Godswill
"On a faithful Wednesday Evening, I was on my way to church for Bible study meeting, when the motor cycle I was a passenger on, ran into a pothole, lost control and collided into a car. Although I had literarily been involved in a Road Traffic Accident, there was no external injury when I got up from the floor. I thought I had luckily escaped being hurt, until I attempted to urinate and noticed that, instead of urine, all that came out was bright red blood! I was rushed to a nearby Government Hospital and was immediately referred by the Doctors-On Call to the Teaching Hospital about an hour's journey from Town. Upon arrival to the Accident & Emergency Department of the Teaching Hospital, we realised that, waiting time would be another hurdle to being seen. All this while, I was bleeding non-stop from the opening at the tip of my penis. I eventually got seen after a few hours and Doctors realised that, I had sustained a tear in the urine pipe referred to as the urethra. I got weaker and weaker as I bled my life out. The Doctors had to urgently transfuse a pint of blood before I was taken into theatre for emergency urethral repair by the Urology Team. Fast forward to a few weeks after I arrived at that Emergency Department, with 2 Units of blood already transfused and 2 failed repairs, I was still bleeding from my water works. As if my troubles were not enough, I eventually had a blood transfusion reaction and I felt like the earth was opening up to swallow me from my blood soaked bed in the Men's Surgical Ward. I needed blood to stay alive but i was reacting to what was available in the Blood Bank. A suitable blood Donor was certainly needed but I honestly didn't have a clue, where that person would come from. My Dad was said not to be suitable because of his age and other issues and my sister had just had a baby. I remember being told that, if I didn't get suitable blood transfused within 24 hours, I would be at high risk of dying. My Dad and sister began to cry inconsolably. All I could do in my helpless state was, pray to God to show His face in my situation and He did by bringing Dr. Kevwe my way. Before the 24 hour timeline would run out the next morning, I surprisingly saw Dr. Kevwe in the Men's Surgical Ward. He was a student then. There were no pleasantries to be exchanged. I can still visualise the shock on his face, as he listened to me, whilst I laid on my Surgical Ward bed in so much agony, with a plastic linen on top the bedsheet and a bowl under the bed, to prevent the dripping blood from staining the bed linen repeatedly or the floor. After listening patiently, he told me that, he needed to run off to write a test and would return to see me later on. A few hours later, Dr. Kevwe returned and to my utter surprise, volunteered for his blood to be tested and matched with mine. That was the turning point for me. His blood was a perfect match. The junior Doctor got the unit of blood transfused and I was taken into theatre the same Evening, for a second repeat repair that eventually turned out successful. Although I ended up spending several months in the Hospital, my life was saved after that blood transfusion; all thanks to God and Dr. Kevwe" ~ Felix Godswill
On the 14th Day of June every year, the World Health Organisation and associated Organisations/Stakeholders mark "World Blood Donor Day", to celebrate those who have/continue to donate lifesaving blood and to increase awareness on the need for more people to volunteer to become blood donors. For more information about this special day, refer to the reference below.
REFERENCE:
God bless you Dr. Kevwe. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteWhat you did is very commendable, I remember a lady that died when when I was in the labour room, it was as a result of loss of blood and no matching donor, I think that a lot of sensitization should be carried out by health organizations and personnels for people to truly comprehend its benefits. Kudos Dr. Kevwe.
ReplyDeleteKudos brother. Thanks for being in the right place at the right time and being used by God to save this life.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your labour of love
ReplyDeleteVery good job Dr K God bless you
ReplyDeleteGood one brother. Thank God for placing you at the right place at the right time .
ReplyDelete