'Transfusions saved my life'
Ivan Kerridge, of Wilby, near Old Buckenham, has a lot to be thankful to the National Blood Service for after suffering from a life threatening and debilitating condition.
Mr Kerridge became ill in August 2005 with symptoms of anaemia, pains, fever and swollen glands and was very quickly admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia.
His intensive treatment included blood transfusions, chemotherapy, body irradiation, lumbar punctures and biopsies, culminating in a bone marrow transplant in May 2006, after a compatible donor was found in Italy.
Leukaemia adversely affects the immune system, which meant Mr Kerridge experienced constant battles against infection.
Added to this were the side effects of his treatment which ranged from vomiting, hair loss, being unable to eat or drink, huge weight loss, constant headaches and extreme fatigue.
Overall, he spent 36 weeks either as a hospital in-patient or attending daily treatments and clinics.
The road to recovery is a slow one and tiredness is still a big problem for him, but without his bone marrow donor and all those donors whose blood he received he would not be here today.
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Thursday 02 September 2010
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