I will be getting blood transfusions for leukemia. i am scared to death. what can i expect from a blood transfusion?

Leukemia means your: Marrow has been hijacked by cells that crowd out normal products produced there: red cells, white cells and platelets. Treatment aims at destroying the bad guys, but you may need transfusions of any or all of the healthy cells until your normal marrow function is restored. There are transfusion reactions, but usually a lot less scary than leukemia and treatment. Good luck!

Safe procedure: Blood transfusions are a routine supportive treatment for those getting chemotherapy. For most people, it is just like getting fluids through an iv. Common side effects include fever and rash, but these can usually be avoided by giving a person tylenol (acetaminophen) and/or Benadryl before getting subsequent blood transfusions. It is a safe and routine procedure.