The right atrium’s where the process begins, where the CO2 Blood enters the heart. . .

. . .Through the tricuspid valve, to the right ventricle, the pulmonary artery, and lungs.

Jerry went in for his usual blood work on Thursday, and the results were as expected. Everything was low, as compared to a person who does not have cancer, and has not had three chemotherapy rounds. His hemoglobin count, however, was very much lower rather than just lower. I believe when Jerry first arrived at M. D. Anderson, his hemoglobin count was 11, which is kind of low. On Thursday, it was 8.3. According to Nolie, Annette suggested that Jerry may need a blood transfusion, but that she would leave it to him to decide, but, after observing him a little more during the appointment, Annette decided there was no "if you wanna do it" about it. He was struggling to breathe and was getting the transfusion. The struggling to breathe is what Nolie calls "exhaling forcefully." Blah, blah, lack of red blood cells to carry the oxygen to the organs and cells, just like the circulation song Potsie sang on Happy Days; which, I totally believe St. Joseph Baby Aspirin stole for their recent ad campaign because the "pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pu-pump your blood" song was a little too similar to be coincidental.

The first step in getting a blood transfusion is to determine Jerry's blood type. The second step is for a different person to do the same test and verify that the results match. This, I think, is a good idea for the same reason that at least once a week where I work, two different people have to count the safe to verify that it balances. After the blood type is confirmed, you get the blood. Jerry received two bags of blood cells. I'm not sure how much blood is in a bag, but Nolie estimates it to be one pint. Nolie believes that it was not whole blood, but rather, packed red blood cells. I think there's a difference between whole blood, platelets, and packed red blood cells. We believe Jerry received packed red blood cells, which would make sense because it's the red blood cells that carry the oxygen.

Mother asked Jerry today if he thought that perhaps he received female blood, because he's been kind of bitchy today. (her words). Jerry's blood type, by the way, is A+, which I suppose is not surprising since he was the White Deer High School class of 1953 recipient of the Bausch and Lomb Science Award.

Still no pain, no pain medication, and no nausea, which I've pointed out before, but I think it's worth repeating. I've never heard of chemo people never getting nauseous.