I just got a call from the National Marrow Donor program. I signed up when I was 18 at my community college, they were having a donor drive and it was about 6 months after 9/11 and I was trying to do all I could for my country. I haven't heard anything from them since... but apparently I am a potential match for someone! This is all kind of sudden, exciting and scary all at the same time. I give blood all the time, just about as often as I am eligible, but marrow is just so much more daunting, they stick big needles in you for that one!!! Maybe my nurse-y friends can soothe my rattled nerves? Emily? Lindsey? is it as bad as I am making it out to be?
I won't know for 1-2 months if I am an exact match, so there is definitely time to get calm about this, and it may be that I am not a good match for this person anyway...
Wow. I never really thought that they would call me. But if I can help, I am glad to do it. This is one of those things where I feel that if you are eligible to do it, you should be signed up and doing all you can, ie. donating blood every 8 weeks... That's just my personal stance on it, although I understand if you are terrified of needles.... that would just suck! (haha! vampire pun!!! sorry. I will stop now.) *stepping off of my soapbox now*
Pray for this person that they will find a match, and that I might be a match for them, and if I am that it would all go smoothly.
::EDIT::
This post just brought back to mind one of my favorite Rascal Flatts songs, Skin (sarabeth). Makes me cry just about anytime I hear it!!!
5 comments:
I always feel so guilty about not donating blood. I'm TERRIBLE about needles and the last (and only) two times I donated blood I just about passed out and had to lay down for like an hour. So, I've decided to not do it anymore. It feels selfish, but I just can't.
(Hence the reason I want to GAG at the thought of an epidural!!!)
I can't give blood because of chronic low iron, however, in my past life I was a medical assistant and one of the doctors I worked for subspecialty was blood disorders so I have assisted in several blood marrow procedures. Everyone said it was very painful for a very SHORT minute - of course that was over 40 years ago so I'm hoping that it will be easier now. The hard part: yes, it is painful. The easy part: it is over fairly quickly. Of course, that was just a test, not giving for a transplant. Anyhow, will be praying for both you and the recipient! WOW! What a privilege for you, Carrie
I have been giving blood for so long, yesterday at Grace the gal even said I had quite a few "track" marks. :/ But I signed up for the marrow program, too, awhile ago, and I keep praying to be a match. So far, no go. So, I'm sort of jealous. Maybe some day. But I will pray for you and the whole situation. If you end up being THE match, I'll pray that you have peace and strength and courage. God will go with you through it all. Just like Priscilla said, "What a privilage for you, Carrie." BTW, how does Kyle feel about it?
oh wow! that's an amazing (and brave!) opportunity! please keep us updated!!
and i LOVE that song! it always makes me cry.
Oh, yeah, I forgot to say that we signed up years ago to try to help someone, but now we are too old, but I still carry my donor card with me--LOL!
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