The Gift of Blood, The Gift of Life: A Survivor’s Story from the Delivery Room
Working as a labor and delivery nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital, I never imagined I would nearly die among my peers. But in March 2022, what started as a peaceful labor with my son, I suddenly experienced a splenic artery aneurysm rupture. The situation turned horrific as I bled internally, and both my life and my unborn son’s life hung in the balance. I was rushed into emergency surgery under general anesthesia, where doctors fought to save us both. They removed my spleen and the tail of my pancreas; I lost my body’s entire blood volume.
During my career, I’ve witnessed the lifesaving power of blood donation countless times. When patients hemorrhage, donated blood can mean the difference between life and death. This truth became personal when I needed 14 units of blood to survive. Thanks to the generosity of strangers, I received the gift of life. These donors not only saved me but also gave my family the gift of having me alive.
To honor this incredible gift, my family and I began donating blood, starting on my son’s birthday, which also marks my “survivorversary.” We now donate whenever we can, especially when Inova issues an urgent call for blood. Each donation is our way of paying it forward, hoping our contributions will save lives, just as mine was saved.
– Nicolette and family
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