OT - Marrow Donor - Page 1

I am sorry - normally I wouldnt post something off topic on this board...but this is quite frankly the largest board I know of...with the most varied life experience levels.

I signed up this summer to be a bone marrow donor - and I just got a message saying that I was a match for someone.  I am thinking very seriously about it...but to say that this scares the guts out of me would be putting it lightly.  The main issue is not the risks...because I have been told they were minimal - but I am afraid of the recovery and the pain involved - which I have heard is quite bad.  I think that probably makes me a turkey...but things that hurt other people tend to really hurt me...and that kind of pain scares me...I've never even broken a bone before...

 If anyone has any advice or experience...that would be greatly appreciated....thank you so much.

 ~Cate

 Cate, 

Your concern is not something to be apologetic about. However, talking to the doctors involved, and reading good literature might be a better idea to get an idea of how any discomfort can be managed. The article below is a good general one to provide a lot of answers to questions you might have. Being a donor, while there are some small risks, can be something that is a wonderful gift of life to someone else. I hope you will seriously consider donating now that a match has been found.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/CA/00068.html

Good luck.

Thanks Hodie - I called the guy and it's actually that I am a possible donor...so I have to go through a couple of check ups and they'd have to see if I was the best match.  After talking to my uncle (the doc) and the guy who called me though this seems like something I would be willing to do....It's a scary thought in alot of ways...but at the same time it does alot of good.

Thanks again Hodie...the article helped also.

~Cate

Aye!.....RUN, Cate, RUN.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stvGKmEldgk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBDUAPmZ3xA&feature=related

Someone I work with is going through the same thing.  She too has to go through additional testing to find out if she's an exact match. 

You're a good person Cate.  

Cate,

That would be a great gift to give to a relative or a friend, I dont know if I would go thru all the risk and pain for a stranger.

Anytime you walk into a hospital your at risk.  Thats my opinion and trust this one.  

This is your choice to make, dont be afraid to change your mind.  Dont be afraid of the pain, it can be managed.  But weigh the risk's, some hospitals have better statistics than others.  Infection rates and so on. 

I personally do not believe in donating body parts before or after I'm gone.   Dont bother asking me why.  But if you want to do this then go for it,  just be as well informed as you can before you do.

Good luck,

Brent.

Aye Capt.

Thats the fastest animal rights rescue I've ever seen.   70 miles an hour in a sprint?

I thought the girls were gonna take off runnin... LOL      Oh well.

Back to the grind.

Cate,

We recently had a bone marrow drive for a 2 year old in our area. I tested, but have not recieved a contact saying I matched this little guy or anyone else. I do not mean to downplay your fears or concerns, they are perfectly valid. If I had the opportunity, I would do it in a heartbeat. 

My mom recieved a liver transplant 7 years ago. She still passed away 5 years later, but she got those extra 5 years through the the unfortunate death and generousity of another family.

The first and only person you are ultimately responsible for is yourself. Remember that and do what is right for you, whatever choice you make.

Just knowing you from this board and a few PM's I can tell you are one special young lady.

I wish you the best either way.