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.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
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
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
Friday, December 17, 2010
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
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
Thursday, December 16, 2010
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.
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 :)
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 :)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Night Before
12/15/2010
Well, its 10:45pm EST time and I am watching "The Sing-Off" while thoughts of tomorrow's blood draw run though my head. Ok not so much the blood draw itself, I have been through that a few times for other reasons, but what tomorrow signifies. The thought that I will be potentially helping someone live more of their life, helping a Mother or Father not to have to say Goodbye to their child, or a child not having to say Goodbye to a Parent. I have so many thoughts about this, I am still so sure this is the right thing at the right time for me. I have been questioning what's next in my life, I have been in a rut, but for the past few days I have a new Spring in my step. I am feeling so many things that I haven't been in touch with in a long time. Don't get me wrong I am very blessed, I have a wonderful Family, an AWESOME Son, a Great Man standing next to me and supporting me, but being a Stay At Home Mom is something you would only understand if you have done it before or are doing it now, and with that comes wonderful things but a lot of time to think about things as well.
This "Gift" as others have been calling it, doesn't really feel like a gift to me, it just feels like, I hate to say it, but an everyday thing, I know it means so much to the patient that is in need, and I hope that if I am a Match for this patient, I am one day able to meet them. To think there is another person out there that is so close to me and I have NEVER Met them, its Amazing, and really humbling!
Be Right Back Dog Wants in....
oh its a cold one in Michigan tonight...where was I??? oh yeah the feelings I have I am only one person but I could change someone's life FOREVER...thats truly amazing!! Well enough for tonight...as of right now...I could get bored and write more...
Night
Well, its 10:45pm EST time and I am watching "The Sing-Off" while thoughts of tomorrow's blood draw run though my head. Ok not so much the blood draw itself, I have been through that a few times for other reasons, but what tomorrow signifies. The thought that I will be potentially helping someone live more of their life, helping a Mother or Father not to have to say Goodbye to their child, or a child not having to say Goodbye to a Parent. I have so many thoughts about this, I am still so sure this is the right thing at the right time for me. I have been questioning what's next in my life, I have been in a rut, but for the past few days I have a new Spring in my step. I am feeling so many things that I haven't been in touch with in a long time. Don't get me wrong I am very blessed, I have a wonderful Family, an AWESOME Son, a Great Man standing next to me and supporting me, but being a Stay At Home Mom is something you would only understand if you have done it before or are doing it now, and with that comes wonderful things but a lot of time to think about things as well.
This "Gift" as others have been calling it, doesn't really feel like a gift to me, it just feels like, I hate to say it, but an everyday thing, I know it means so much to the patient that is in need, and I hope that if I am a Match for this patient, I am one day able to meet them. To think there is another person out there that is so close to me and I have NEVER Met them, its Amazing, and really humbling!
Be Right Back Dog Wants in....
oh its a cold one in Michigan tonight...where was I??? oh yeah the feelings I have I am only one person but I could change someone's life FOREVER...thats truly amazing!! Well enough for tonight...as of right now...I could get bored and write more...
Night
A Day Full of Waiting
Well today is the Day Before I go from my Blood Draw and I can't stop thinking of what the next steps will entail if this blood work comes back to match.
I am not sure if I should be excited, humble, scared, or a lot of other emotions. I know that I can't wait for tomorrows results and I am sure I will update more then :)
I am not sure if I should be excited, humble, scared, or a lot of other emotions. I know that I can't wait for tomorrows results and I am sure I will update more then :)
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