Mary and Jessica,

Just to clarify, the anesthetist has stated categorically that he WILL NOT use blood peri-operatively but that, in order to keep the transplanted tissue 'alive' he may need to administer blood post-op if my hb levels drop to 7. I am awaiting an appointment to see the Consultant Surgeon to discuss this with him further. Suggestions have been made with regard to boosting my levels with IV iron and EPO to 15 which should address this situation but as I said I am awaiting a meeting with CS. My scheduled date for surgery is 17th August. If we are going to go along the EPO/Iron route pre-op, we need to be getting our skates on!

Many thanks for your early response to the above.

Lyn Elston.