Salvador started as a volunteer on the Oncology wing but after a time, moved to the Hospital de Día. This year will mark his 12th as a volunteer. That’s twelve years during which he has dedicated his time to this generous and altruistic work.

We have known him since Bernat was almost two months old and he has proven himself to be a person with a great heart. He knows how to deal with children, parents and/or families during delicate times. His presence infects everyone around him with positive energy. It’s undeniable that volunteer work is his vocation. Thank you, Salvador!

The team of volunteers at the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital is indispensable and throughout our years as patient and family, we have met many amazing and kind people. To them we are forever grateful. They have been beside us during each and every moment and day. Empathizing and navigating the situation, they have been able to distract us and to make us all feel better. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Ruben, who has been with us since Bernat was a baby, just published a book that had nothing to do with him being a doctor:“Entre turrones“, a fun and original book based on a town in Spain called Jijona. What else could we have done besides buy it immediately at the hospital kiosk? Whether it’s for his great personality, or his literary talent, the point is that the book is selling well, and getting a copy isn’t exactly easy.

Taking advantage of our visit, we asked him to sign our copy of the book, and above all, to dedicate it to Bernat. Although still small, Bernat’s hematologist is rapidly gaining fame. Frankly, if the book is even half as good as he is at being hematologist, it’s a guaranteed masterpiece.

As for Bernat and his status before the transfusion, today his red blood cell levels are luckily not as low as earlier this year. Even still, a blood transfusion is necessary; perfect in order to feel strong before the Day of the Three Kings (A Spanish Christmas tradition).

A level below 7 should be taken very seriously even with kids that are used to having chronic anemia. One problem that exist with chronic anemia is that the heart has to pump harder just to supply enough oxygen to the metabolism of your body. Bernat had never reached a level below 7 before in his life and this resulted in a difficult morning for his family. These low levels were unexpected, and each day more and more surprises arose. However, Bernat stayed strong and was able to ignore the struggles he faced but his family had to get used to the fact that he was very sick.

Thanks to the volunteers at the hospital, there was always a reason to smile and forget about the unfortunate situation at hand. We had a much appreciated visit from Frederic Ferralta as seen in the picture above. Ferralta was great company to Bernat with his kindness and generosity. Above all we were surprised by Frederic’s ability to make all kinds of balloon figures. The balloons looked very professional and he even made a puppy and a sword out of balloons and gave them to Bernat. Thank You!

Today, we would like to explain what these visits consist of, and what to expect.

Today it started at home, when at first light just before leaving to go to the hospital we have to get bernats port a cath ready with antiseptic cream and until he gets his injection in the hospital its covered up the cream takes 30 mins to go into effect and last for 2 hrs

It always starts at home, as soon as the sun rises. Before we go to the Saint Joan of the Arc Hospital, we have to prepare Bernat’s Port-a-Cath with antiseptic cream. We wait to perform the needle prick until we are at the hospital. The needle is covered with film. The cream takes 30 minutes to go into effect and lasts for two hours.

Once we get to the hospital, around 8am, we go directly to the Day Hospital. There, they introduce the needle into Bernat’s Port-a-Cath, and extract blood in order to analyze it. The needle cannot be taken out until the treatment is finalized, so that after, when they need to transfer the blood, they don’t have to return to pinch the area.

The level of red blood cells was less than the level of red blood cells that Bernat had in his blood on the day of the initial test. If in the time that has passed since the latest transfusion, if during this period there has been any alteration (fever, gastroenteritis, etc.), the level can vary, since blood cells can destroy themselves quickly each month. This March, for example Bernat was at 7’1. Before the transfusion his level was up to 9-11 approximately. This means that as a rule, his level went down 3-4 in just three weeks.

So that we have an idea, the normal level of erythrocytes in a healthy person is around 13-15. It is for this reason that Bernat has chronic anemia, which his body is already accustomed to. This does not mean that he does not have to be monitored, since it is dangerous for metabolism for his level to drop below 7, and it produces changes in the heart, general tiredness, etc.

After the visit, and following the results of the analysis, it is necessary to do the transfusion. In Bernat’s case, it’s always necessary. So we went to the Day Hospital, where they receive the bag of blood and prepare everything necessary to do the transfusion (check the blood type, the blood dosage, etc.) The transfusion, due to the amount of blood and body weight, has to be carried out in an hour and a half. One must add the transfusion to previous and future treatments. Once the transfusion has been carried out, they extract the needle and clean the Port-a-Cath zone. In total, it has been 7-8 hours, and little Bernat has behaved like a true hero.

We want to take this time to thank the hematologists of San Joan de Déu Hospital: Dr. Ruben Berrueco and Dr. Albert Catalan. They are excellent professionals and good people. They are very supportive, and we are very fortunate to be in their hands.

In addition, we want to thank the great work that the day staff of the hospital has carried out, from the nurses to the administrative department.

Also, we want to stress the admiration that we feel for the work that the Pallapupas have done. They continue to make us laugh and always include us in their madness. It would not be the same without them.

We can’t forget some of the most essential people in San Joan de Deu Hospital, the volunteers. They are a great source of support for the families and the kids.

And finally, we want to give lots of thanks to all of the anonymous people that have been donating blood. Without them, Bernat would not have a bag of blood ready each time he needed it. They are the real heroes!