Infused with energy

For Kansas City resident Twanna Green, feeling exhausted had become part of everyday life.

Wherever the 25-year-old went, the burden of fatigue followed – and it often carried the agony of pounding headaches with it. The condition would often escalate to a degree so severe she could barely focus at work, walk for long distances or even conduct routine tasks such as walking up a flight of stairs.

“It got so bad, I couldn't even brush my teeth in the morning without having to sit down,” Green said. “But I just tried to put it out of my mind.”

Somehow Green managed to cope with the nagging symptoms for several months until the pain and fatigue simply became too much to handle. After meeting with her primary care physician, it was discovered that Green's symptoms were the result of low hemoglobin – a vital component in the production of red blood cells.

To avoid more serious health effects, Green's doctor gave her two options for immediate treatment: receive a blood transfusion or undergo iron infusion therapy.

Somewhat unnerved by the idea of a blood transfusion, infusion therapy was the only conceivable option for Green. And there was only one source her doctor recommended – Saint Luke's Blood Management Program.

The short road to recovery

As a way to quickly rebuild her iron and hemoglobin levels, Green underwent infusion therapy at Saint Luke's Hospital's Outpatient Infusion Center four times over a two-week period, then three follow-up sessions over the next five weeks. Though she was a little nervous going into her first visit, Green said the procedure was surprisingly simple, and the staff put her at ease by thoroughly explaining what to expect.

Each infusion session lasted an hour and a half. All Green had to do was sit back in a comfortable chair and relax with a good book while the infusion therapy was slowly administered through an IV. After a few rounds of treatment, Green began to show dramatic improvement. And after she was finished with the two-week process, she was feeling like her old self again.

“I felt 200 times better,” Green said. “The scariest part is that the infusion therapy is administered through an IV – which was terrifying for me. But once I got past the needle, I was fine.”

Now, Green has an extra spring her step thanks to the anemia treatment plan. She feels more energized and is free from the constant migraines. And she is using tips provided by Saint Luke's staff to maintain her iron and hemoglobin through a custom diet plan and supplements.

Before she began receiving treatment, Green was unaware of what options were available. She's just glad her doctor suggested Saint Luke's Blood Management Program – and she recommends the same choice to others.

“I would tell anyone if you are low on iron or hemoglobin, this is definitely the best treatment for you,” Green said. “I would recommend this to anyone. I can do things again that I didn't even realize had become difficult to do.”