Ok I know there are some questions out there, I do as Well this is my first time doing this, I am in a way going blind into this, All I really know is I have a Drive to Help Someone, (Click HERE to see DKMS's Blog that has a lot of interesting Stories) and that alone is enough for me.
Here are some questions I have received, as well as the answers I have so Far:
Q: Do you know the person you are going to be Donating your Marrow to?
A: No As of Yet I have no idea if its a Boy, Girl, Man or Woman, but I do know its a Patient in need of something I have.
Q: Do you know how they take the Marrow from you?
A: I have been told there are 2 ways to Donate Marrow, the first I was told about is one that happens 80% of the time. The process called PBSC (peripheral (circulating) blood stem cell) donation which involves injections of a drug called filgrastim this drug basically increases the flow of blood forming cells from the Marrow into the blood stream. The Proceedure that takes place is called apheresis it takes the blood from one arm and then runs it through a filter to get out what is needed then the blood is returned through the opposite arm, so no blood is actually taken just the marrow that was in the blood stream this process can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on your body make up.
The Second way to Donate, which is done 20% of the time, is just called Bone Marrow Donation, this process involves a Surgery Procedure and Anesthesia, you are put under anesthesia and a surgeon makes an incision then takes a hollow needle and removes the Bone Marrow Directly from the Bone.
Q: Is it going to Hurt?
A: I can't imagine it would hurt any more than child birth and I survived that. I also think that the inconvience that I will be put through and the "hurt" that I may have is NOTHING compared to what the Patient and Family go through with Leukemia . I can not imagine the pain that a parent or loved one feels when they are told there is No Donor available, I would hope if someone I loved were in that position there would be a Donor Found and its is only right for me to do the same.
Q: Are you sure you want to do this?
A: I have never been more sure of something in my life.
Q: Are there Side Effects to the Donation Process?
A: I have been told that with the First method of PBSC there is some slight fatague, with the Bone Marrow Donation process, as with Any Surgery, there is a recovery time of a few weeks, a lifting restriction as well as an activity restriction. I have not been told of any side effects yet but if I am I will be sure to update this post.
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: I have a question for you...Why are you not doing this?? I am healthy, I am alive, I give thanks everyday for the gifts I have. I can not imagine not giving to someone I can help. I feel this is my Way to Give Something Back, If I can help ONE person in my life I have done my part...well I plan to do MUCH more than my Part!!!
Those are the questions I have been asked so far. Please if you have any you can comment on this post, you can find me on Facebook I am more than happy to talk to anyone about whats going on, I want to make sure that MORE people are informed about this and if possible will become a Registered Donor.
Thanks again for reading!!
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