re: Any OTers here ever donated bone marrow? I got the call yesterday.

It caught me by surprise when they called me too.
They are great people & are there for any questions you have, as you think of things write them down so you remember to ask
The donation guide is really specific & lays everything out very well

I’ve had several knee surgeries growing up so I wasn’t worried about the pain or the procedure
I wouldn’t say I had anxiety maybe just nervous curiosity as to what would happen
Once the start drawing stem cells they take a sample & send it somewhere local
that does a count of cells, they then let the donation center know & from that they figure how much to take
How much they need to take is based on your patient

When you are cleared after the physical they get serious about moving forward
Once you start the shots the patient starts (chemo ?) to destroy their immune system so it doesn’t fight the transplanted cells (I hope I’m not screwing its up)
They told me once I decided to move forward I needed to do so, backing out at that point would kill the patient
I worried about what would happen if I got in a wreck the week before the procedure

I don’t want to sound like an arse but it wasn’t a big deal
Someone needed help & I was able to provide it
I wasn’t put out anything, took 2 paid days from work & a couple of meals I didn’t seek reimbursement on
I told 2 people from work the Friday before the procedure & a couple of friends knew

I am hoping to get another update on my patient this month or next, they usually come every 6 months
There is a sense of relief when you get the call that they are still alive