Not sure how I feel about this

Hey everyone...

Thanks again for reading...

I have an update. I received an email from Heather at DKMS Americas and I was VERY excited to open it, so excited my stomach dropped.

I was advised that as of 12/16/2010 they knew I was a match for this patient, but as of recent the patient's health has moved into the Critical Stage, thus making the patient no longer ready for a Bone Marrow Donation at this time.

So I have been released from this patient's search and my updated typing will be available on the registry for other searching patients.


So How do I feel?!?? Not sure really...I am torn to say the least. I fell disappointment because I wasn't able to help, I feel concerned for the Patient and the Family, I feel confused.

I know that I have done all I can right now, I hope that I will be asked again to be a match and maybe even for this patient. I would love to go on with my journey but I guess for now I have to just let things fall where they may.

So that being said, will this be my last post?? Most likely not, I plan to periodically update this to keep it "alive". I also plan to do some more research into Bone Marrow Donation in hopes this blog can change the minds of some of the people who are on the fence. Everyone should really be registered, just think if it was someone you know and love that were in need, You would hope that someone was out there who matched AND registered.

So with that for today I will end my post :) But keep checking back I will updated with informative posts here and there, and Maybe once again I will be continuing my journey with Bone Marrow Donation!!

Thanks again DKMS Americas. If anyone would like some more information, you can comment here or look me up on Facebook.


Thanks again for Reading!!
Angie

still here waiting on news

Hey everyone,

Still waiting on a yes or no. I made a decision today that if I am found to be the best match for the patient, after I donate and have recovered I will be getting a tattoo to remember his journey.

I already have ideas for it I will post some pictures once I get it drawn up

Time for bed now will write more later

Thanks for reading

Hey everyone,

its been a few days, I am still waiting for contact from Heather at DKMS Americas as to what the Patient's Doctor has found. Every day makes me more anxious for the results, I am checking my Phone everytime it vibrates or rings to see if its an email from Heather. I am scared to hear them say I am not a match, not for myself, but for the Patient. What does that mean for them?? Did they find the Match they needed? Are they still searching?? Will they be ok???

I look at my Son and I wonder if he was in the patients position(I PRAY he is NEVER in that position) would I be able to find someone like myself to donate to him?? I can't imagine what a Parent or Loved One is going through.

New Updates

Hey everyone,

Its been a few days I know but I didn't have any new information.

I do now though:)

I got an email today saying that my blood sample was received by the lab and it may now take up to 3 months for the doctor to confirm I am the best match for the patient.

I have been advised if I am selected I would have to go through a few more steps before the donation would occur those being:

1. Participate in an information session: a detailed discussion about the donation
2. Attend a physical exam: a medical exam to confirm that there will be no ill effects to myself or the patient
3. Donation

I have also been advised to speak with my family and friends about this as it is a BIG commitment.

I am very excited and I am checking my email all the time. I will update more with feelings and such later right now I have some errands to run

Talk to you all soon :)

Thanks for reading :)
Angie

Day Starts out with Waiting

Hey everyone.

Hope you are enjoying reading and also learning a few things. I hope to accomplish a few things with this blog
1. Help to inform others about the process
2. Dispel some of the Rumors that are out there about this process
3. Have a place for new donors or people interested in donation process to become informed
4. Document this process for my personal reasons
5. Have something for my son to read one day :)

I started this blog not knowing what it was going to become but I think I have figured that out. I LOVE the thought that I have a place to get my feelings down on "paper". Its in a way difficult right now for me, because I don't know anyone thats given Bone Marrow before so I have nobody to "soundboard" off of, my family and SO are trying but they are going through this for the first time as well. I am finding that they are supportive but they don't have the answers to the questions I have as they come up, which is ok really because Heather at DKMS Americas has been very helpful, she has opened up her phone number for me as well as her email so I do have direct access to her if I would happen to have a question that I can't find the answer to(which has not happened yet).

So Today is a Day of waiting so far. I keep checking my phone to make sure I have not missed something, I keep going on the computer to make sure my phone is working correctly delivering emails.

With Christmas right around the corner, I wonder if I should tell my out stretched family about whats going on right now, I don't want to have to tell them I wasn't a match this time, but I think it would be a Great Time to know about whats going on. My Grandfather died from Cancer and my Father has had Cancer(in remission) neither of them were Leukemia but they were still just as Devastating. I have known so many people touched by Cancer if not experienced themselves. So many people are claimed by this, its a VERY evil disease and has no boundaries, Anyone can come in contact with it, I think for me thats what makes this so important to me. I can only HOPE that if someone I love were to be in the position this patient is in there would be someone like me willing to give marrow to a complete stranger.

Well I have to go for now everyone. Have to get my house cleaned and then some errands to run.

I am sure I will write again soon!! Thanks for Reading.

If you have any questions for me, I will do my BEST to find the answer, please just leave them in comments on the post, in my guestbook to the right of this page or even contact me Via Facebook.

I would love to hear from the people that have checked in to read this. I will be sure to update once I hear any news as well!!

Thanks again,
Angie

Step One Complete

12:24pm 12/16/2010

Hi again everyone.

I completed my blood draw today, and while doing it I talked with a few people along the way, while doing it I realized how big this really is.

My day started out a little rough, my son was up at 5:00 Am and let me tell you that made for a sleepy mommy. Well I put on his favorite movie per his request Toy Story. We watched for a little while and then he started to play, so I thought I would lay donw on the couch for a little while and watch tv with him, well that lead to me falling back to sleep.

I woke up at 8:20...making my morning a RUSH around now. I got in the shower, with my mother on the way to pick us up. I am not only irritated that I fell asleep but now I am running late and let me tell you that I HATE to be late. I got ready in a very quick fashion and threw on a tshirt and jeans, got my son ready and my Mom took me to my appt..I was just in time...9:30...

I walked to the counter to "check in" and I advised the receptionist that I was there for a Blood Draw for Bone Marrow Donation Testing, she asked my name and then said "You are Famous around here, we have paper work all over about you" I was amazed I didn't think what I was doing would draw this much attention. On to the waiting room.

I was called back shortly after and asked if I had a "kit" with me, I advised that everything was sent ahead of time and described the box Big and White with a Red puzzle piece logo on the side.

The Nurse went to look for the box, while I was waiting my Mom asked if she should take my son out the cafeteria to wait for me there, not sure how long this would take I agreed.

So I am sitting there in a empty room waiting for the Nurse to come back, she finally did and had a rather large box with her, which contained 8 vials for my blood along with packaging to send the blood out for testing. The Nurse asked what this was for I said testing for Bone Marrow Donation, she asked me if it was for a family member, I told her "No I have no idea who the patient is." She seemed to be a bit taken back, she then asked about how I got involved and I mentioned the procedure I went through with the cheek swabs and such. She seemed very interested, we then continued with some small talk while she filled the all 8 of the vials(this was a very painless procedure, all it felt like was a bee sting).

After my blood was collected I was told by the Nurse that she would put a time on the vials along with her initials and that the carrier was already waiting to take them off for shipping to the Doctor, another nurse peeked her head in the room and said that there were specific ice packs to pack with the blood and they were in the refrigerator. I was so taken back at all the steps taken so far, I can only imagine the funding this takes (click HERE for information on making a Donation to DKMS Americas)

As I was walking out, I was told that they take great care with packages like this because its about saving lives, and I promptly responded with "You all have helped with this and are a part of this process to, for that I thank you." I left feeling like this is way bigger than me, I am just one person in the world and to think that I could possibly be saving the life of another and all the other people involved with this, all the doctors, nurses, carriers as well as many others I hope to meet along the way.

So all in all I am done with this step and waiting for the next one, I emailed Heather today to advise that the blood draw was done successful and that I was awaiting the next steps, she advised me that she would let me know as soon as she hears any new information...so again the Waiting Game begins.

Up and At Em

12-16-2010

Good Morning Readers :)

My son thinks that 5am is wake up time the past few days, so here we are...Blood Draw today at 9:30am EST. I am geared up for it but Man am I tired. I think I might try to nap with my son, we will see how well that works :)

More later :)