How a blood transfusion saved my life
By: Haley Mueller
My name is Haley Mueller and I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my blood transfusion. I have overcome several procedures when I was a young child that has given me the gift of being a blood donor. Each time I get notified that I will have the opportunity to donate there isn’t a question about if I should or should not. I feel that someone helped me that day I almost lost my life and that I can now be that person that saves someone’s life. Just knowing you are helping save a life makes it more special each time. My mother did not always donate but when I was the age of four she never thought twice about not donating blood. I was in need of a blood donor and they told her then how important it is to receive blood but more importantly to give blood.
My obstacles began early when I wasn’t wanting to go to the restroom, my mom knew something was off and would ask “Haley, are you sure you don’t need to use the bathroom?” My answer was always no but she would still make me try the best I could. My mom knew this wasn’t right so we loaded up to go to the doctor. At the age of four my parents Scott and Jeanie Mueller were told that I was born with a Duplicated ureter on my right side of my kidney. My pediatrician Dr. Stephen Faehnle MD requested an appointment with a Urology Specialist, Dr. Terry Johnson. Once we arrived he knew we needed to have surgery as soon a we could. My surgery was successfully completed without complication in 1999.
The greatest obstacle I have over come and couldn’t have done it without the help of my blood donor was (ITP). In 2000 I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), which is still to this day an unknown cause. My mom has been through a lot in her ife but this was probably one of the most drastic things she had to see her baby girl go through. I remember waking up not knowing what to think besides were is all this blood coming form and me seeing my mom the most scared I’ve ever seen her in my life. I was rushing to Hendrix hospital in Abilene Texas and put in ICU right away, and for several days due to loss of blood. The nurses packed everything on my body they possibly could to try and slow the bleeding, it seemed like it was never going to stop and that nothing could fix it. The head doctor on duty told my mom she needed to contact the family because my survival wasn’t promised at this point. During me seven-day stay at the hospital, I was given several pint of blood until my blood level returned to normal. Just recalling this tragic time in my life makes me feel scared all over again. I am so thankful for the nurses and doctors but I wouldn’t be alive today without the blood donors that are so generous to donate their blood to help others. They saved my life.
Through the years I have been taught that to live life, you have to donate life. This is my motto that I live by and I encourage others to do the same. This is my story and I can proudly say that I have received the gift of life through blood donors and I myself have saved lives by being a faithful blood donor. Thank you for this opportunity and allowing me to share my miracle story with the world.
Thank you,
Haley Mueller