While radiology was trying to pinpoint the source of the bleeding, Dr. Kohler called a “code crimson,” which mobilized the blood assets in the hospital and diverted enough staff to administer them. It was the first time the summer interns had heard that call. I initially received nine units of blood in total, which meant I’d probably lost two thirds of the blood in my body. Blood was the only thing that could save my life, but the more units you need, the more likely you are to die, and nine units was getting close to the upper end of the scale.
