Update

Mar 08, 2009

So much has happened lately...

Curt moved in in November, and Chrysti moved out in December.  We're all very happy with our current living arrangements, and life is good.

About six months ago, an acquaintance at church hosted a blood drive/bone marrow donor screening.  He had leukemia and needed a transplant.  None of us matched him, but thank God, he found a donor and is now home and doing well. 

I couldn't give blood because my iron was a little low, but I did give a swab sample, and just a few months later, I was called as a potential match for a man somewhere that needed a transplant.  Since then, I've given many more samples of blood, and I progressed through the process of becoming a bone marrow donor. 

In December, I attended my surgeon's support group meeting with another OH member.  I mentioned that I was in the program, and the RN said it was not a good idea.  I got a little concerned, but continued through the process with the City of Hope, being very certain that everyone I spoke to understood that I was a WLS patient and that my circumstances may be different from others.  They kept telling me that as long as I passed the medical exams, I would be fine. 

I called my PCP, and she is also a potential donor, although she's never been matched.  I guess it's highly unlikely that most unrelated donors are called up - lucky me!  She knows me well, and said that I would be fine - that I should go ahead with it.  I went to City of Hope on Friday for my testing, and I was nearly perfect in every test...    so...   April 1, I will become a donor. 

I still have a small doubt about the surgeon's nurse's suggestion that it wouldn't be a good idea, but I realize that I've never met this woman before - she didn't ask how long ago I'd had surgery - she is not familiar with me or my medical history...  and since my own PCP and the City of Hope feel that I'll be fine, I'm going to trust those who know me best.  I think that she should have directed me to someone with some background or asked more questions before answering so readily, and I hope that everyone who has considered becoming a donor would talk to their own doctors before deciding NOT to donate.  Someone's life may depend on it!

0 Comments