Wendy Stubblefield
My name is Wendy Stubblefield, and I have Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). TTP is a very rare, life-threatening multi-system disorder.
In May 2003, after experiencing abdominal pain, unexplained bruises that wouldn’t go away and feeling very lethargic, I was taken to the emergency room at Alegent Immanuel Hospital in Omaha, NE. At initial exam, the doctors could not readily explain what was wrong with me and tests were performed. The ER doctor ordered blood tests and when my blood was drawn, it was black—not dark red, but black. What a sight to see the nurse’s face as she was drawing black blood. After the blood tests were returned, it was revealed that I had no platelets.
Platelets are irregularly-shaped, colorless bodies that are present in blood. Their sticky surface lets them, along with other substances, form clots to stop bleeding. The normal platelet level is about 350,000—I had less than 3,000. By this time my liver had began to fail. I was turning more yellow as the minutes passed. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with me. Because my platelet level was almost non-existent, I was given platelet transfusions, but still my organs were failing. My liver had already begun to fail and now my kidneys were failing. I was deathly ill.
After several days near death in the Intensive Care Unit, I slipped into a coma. My doctors were diligent in researching my symptoms and trying to come up with a diagnosis so my life could be spared. As a last ditch effort, because my symptoms pointed to a rare deadly blood disease, plasmapheresis was tried.
Plasmapheresis is a procedure where plasma is exchanged. My diseased plasma was taken out and replaced with healthy donor plasma. The change was almost instantaneous, my organs began to function properly even after the first exchange. I was beginning to make a turnaround! WHAT A GIFT! Without plasma being made available to me by the generous American Red Cross donors, I would not be alive today. To date, I have had over 200 exchanges and more than 2,500 units of plasma.
I owe my life to the plasma donors and the American Red Cross. Saying thank you doesn’t seem enough for the gift of life that so many donors have given to my family and me, because without you I wouldn’t be here to share my story. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
- Wendy Stubblefield