Surgical patient receives lifesaving blood

I am told I needed 27 units of blood during the surgery which was about three times my entire blood volume.

When Mitch Alldis was diagnosed with an abdominal tumour, he didn’t know how important blood donors would be in keeping him alive.

In June 2021, he underwent surgery at Epworth Geelong, where Associate Professor Saleh Abbas  removed a vascular tumour from Mr Alldis.

“Mitch was diagnosed with tumour called an extra adrenal pheochromocytoma, that secretes large amounts of adrenaline,” A/Prof Abbas said.

“The adrenaline raises blood pressure and causes a condition called cardiomyopathy, causing heart muscles to become weak.“

“A massive tumour occupied the whole of Mitch’s pelvic cavity. These tumours tend to bleed, which adds to the complexity of this surgery.”

Mr Alldis lost a significant amount of blood during the surgery.

“I was incredibly unwell,” Mr Alldis said.

“I am told I needed 27 units of blood during the surgery, which was about three times my entire blood volume.”

“The doctors at Epworth Geelong told me there was a team running between the blood storage area and theatre to keep up the supply of blood. A lot of blood donors went into saving my life and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Once the surgery was completed, Mr Alldis was moved to the intensive care unit, where he remained in an induced coma for almost a week.

The then father of a one year-old daughter Daisy spent another two weeks in hospital.

Mr Alldis has since become a father to twins Zoe and Isabelle and is now a blood donor.

“Since my surgery, I have made regular donations to Lifeblood,” Mr Alldis said.

“I was eligible to donate blood before the surgery but just didn’t get to it for a number of reasons so I want everyone to understand the need for blood donations.”