[SSharon]

I got a call this morning from a bone marrow registry saying I am a potential match for someone. Although I more or less know the medical procedure I wanted to hear from people that have actually gone through the process to see what they have to say.

I think I will be going in this Thursday for confirmatory typing. Have you or a family member been a donor? What can I expect for the next few days/weeks?

[brassplayersrock²]

Bone Marrow Donation: A Doner's Diary
Bone Marrow Donation Information
Bone Marrow Transplants - How They Work


That's a good start. Some repetitive info. Good luck with this SSharon, and I'm glad that you'll be able to have the ability to maybe help out another person.

[lexapro]

please delete this post

[SSharon]

thanks for the links brassplayersrock, I just sent in my consent for blood work an hour ago so things should start moving now.

[awaspaas]

Funny, my wife works for the National Marrow Donor Program - most likely the organization that called you.

[Eug]

Are you getting apheresis or a marrow harvest?

If the latter, come back and tell us how much it hurts.

Seriously though, I applaud you for doing this.

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by awaspaas 

Funny, my wife works for the National Marrow Donor Program - most likely the organization that called you.

I actually joined the registry called Gift for Life. It was founded originally to help Jews find donors more easily since we share more genetic material the same way an African is more likely to be a match for another African. All of the registrants are entered into the national database as well so I don't even know if the patient is Jewish or not. I read on their site that they arranged more donations to non-jews than jews (4500 compared to 1500) simply because there is a larger pool of non-jews needing donations.

Eug: I don't know which method they plan to use, assuming I am a high enough match, but I'll let you know. Having two oncologists in the family means they won't be able to downplay the pain.

[SSharon]

Update: I'm going for the blood draw next Monday since the kit won't get to the lab by me by tomorrow.

[SSharon]

Well I went for the confirmatory typing test this morning and was told the results would take between 2 and 60 days to come in. and I thought waiting for the cable guy from 9-5 was a wide window.

[quesera]

I was a 5 of 6 match a few years ago. It was disappointing not to be ultimately selected. A friend of mine has done it. Very proud of her (and you).

[freudling]

SSharon:

Risking playing into the possibility of you looking for praise, I have to say that you are to be commended for this if you do it.

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by freudling 

SSharon:

Risking playing into the possibility of you looking for praise, I have to say that you are to be commended for this if you do it.

nah, that's really not my style. I was hoping to hear stories like that of quesera to see what it is like waiting days or possibly weeks for the results only not to be chosen.

[real]

"Your a good Man Charlie Brown"

[KeriVit]

I have always wondered what the pain is like for real and not various google searches.

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by KeriVit 

I have always wondered what the pain is like for real and not various google searches.

a coworker of mine, who has never had this procedure, speculated that it must be like the pain he feels in his leg which he previously broke and now has a rod and pins through. I indirectly know a few people that have donated and the worst I hear is lower back pain and some soreness walking.

[KeriVit]

I wonder if that pain might be worse in my back since I have a titanium cage in it...

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by KeriVit 

I wonder if that pain might be worse in my back since I have a titanium cage in it...

Ouch. I hope you don't feel discomfort from it on a daily basis. I have titanium screws in my jaw but I don't feel a thing.

[KeriVit]

Naw, trust me, any twinge of pain is miniscule to the pain I lived with before the surgery.

[SSharon]

Sadly, I just got the call that I'm not a close enough match to donate.
Thanks for the links and support and good luck to the patient.