We Need More Blood Donors...update on Wendy Burton

[Andrea in paradise]

Boquete Hospice is a great community service of all volunteers that work to help people with different healthcare needs. http://boquetehospice.com/index.html

Last week we had 6 people, travel over the course of 5 days, to Mae Lewis hospital to offer to donate O Positive blood for Wendy Burton who fell, broke a femur and needed an emergency hip replacement.

Thank you to all of you who took the time to do this, especially if you were turned down.  And Thank you Ken Campeau for being the one to finally donate.  And, I might add, that this is the second time in the last 3 months, that Ken has donated because I could not find anyone else that qualified.  I hated to ask him but he insisted on going down to help. Bless you for that and bless all of you who went.

Wendy needed O Positive blood, the most common blood that we have to find for a patient.  Even though I pre-qualified them before they made the drive, it took 6 people and 5 days to finally get the one pint she needed to proceed with the operation. (And there were also other people that came from the Bombaros that could not qualify). Can you imagine sitting in the hospital with a broken femur for 5 days waiting for blood. Well because this took so long, Wendy is STILL not walking. Normally a person should be walking the day after a hip replacement. However, because it took so long the nerve atrophied and she, and her therapist, are not sure if she will ever walk again. Can you imagine if we had a situation where a few or even many people needed blood?

Which brings me to my plea. There is no blood bank in the district of Chiriquí, except for Regional and a person still has to donate before they will let you have any blood. Thanks heavens that Boquete Hospice has a list of blood donors to call when the need arises.  However, we need more donors, younger donors and donors who do not have to go out of the country every 6 months. The 6 month (in the country) rule disqualifies most of the donors on our list and I am hoping that this rule can be changed. And it would not hurt if the donors live in David because it is so much closer to the hospitals.

We currently have 3 blood types (AB pos, AB Neg and B Neg) that have zero or one person on the list.

If you would like to help by being on the Blood Donor list, please go to: http://boquetehospice.com/blooddonors.html
Check out the criteria to donate. Then email me at [e-mail] . I will email you a request of the info (name, blood type, age, location, phone and email) that I need to add you to the list. When the need arises for your blood type, I will call you to see if you are able to go and donate.
We have a wonderful community of people here in Boquete that are willing to help each other.

Thank You and Thanks again to our volunteers.

[Lily]

Andrea is Wendy getting emails, if not pls forward this message on to her.

Hi Wendy,

I did not realize your condition was so severe. First, did they position you in the bed so as to prevent nerve damage? I am sorry, I did not say before hand that I was a physical therapist for many years in Florida. Just so you know, we can classify nerve damage under three categories. You need to ask/ find out in what category the damages is being classified. Please google the classifications below for more info.


1. Neuropraxia, least severe and complete recovery is almost certain.

2. Axonotomesis the axom ( not to get too technical but axom is one end of the nerve that contacts the dendrite which is the other end of a nerve, think head and tail) is damage but can regenerate itself depending on the degree of damage.

3. Neurotmesis most severe, nerve is lacerated or has severe contusions. In these cases recovery is still possible.The worst case is that the nerve is severed and recovery is nil or dismal.

You must, must try to start walking ASAP. Do NOT let them keep you in bed. You might be dizzy and nausea 1st few times but that is normal.

Just a final thought, muscles atrophy, nerves are different and are classified as above.

We wish you the best,

Bob and lily

[Keith Woolford]

Lily, Wendy has been home for about ten days now and is doing well, although I haven't been over to see her myself. Her sister is here looking after her and at this point Wendy is mostly using a wheelchair. I know she is still having trouble with feeling in her foot. It's been that way since the moment I found her after the fall. At the time I was only able to ascertain that her upper leg was broken and not her pelvis. I think the femur broke right at the socket which would concur with your explanation of possible nerve damage.

[Lily]

Well thanks so,kindly for that info. How in the world did she fall? Usually the break of the femur is at the neck and not the socket or where the head fits into the acetabulum. It is, the neck, very avascular meaning few blood vessels for healing, so therefore most breaks require hip replacements. Please let her know if I can help with her gait I would be happy to assist, no charge of course. I also have a walker here if she is in need of a transition from her chair.

Regards,

Lily

[Andrea in paradise]

I have sent this to Wendy. Does she have your email?

If not please email me privately at [e-mail] and I will send it to you.

[Lily]

Thanks Andrea!

[Keith Woolford]

Lily, I believe the surgery included a hip replacement. I will be sure to pass on your kind offer of assistance. Jillian says she has a walker, by the way.

[Lily]

Okay good and thanks!

[Safe Home Security of Panama]

I am willing to donate blood is it possible to do it in Boquete?  Maybe a blood drive after the Tuesday Market.  Also what are the requirements as my daughter would also donate with me. We are ready!

Wendy is in our prayers.

[Andrea in paradise]

Ken is right. I will have a sign up list at the market soon. I will announce it on Notices

[Safe Home Security of Panama]

Thanks