News from the Blood Bank

[shiredancer]

Went in to the blood bank on Tuesday to give the blood needed for extra tests; I'm at the CT (compatibility testing) stage. The blood tests so far have shown a match six different ways. Getting closer!

They arrange a special "bone marrow donor" kit -- lots and lots of health questions to answer, and pages to read and acknowledge and sign off on. There was a lot of interest at the blood bank -- guess this isn't too common, so they all stood around and watched the lady who was getting to do this (the bone marrow bit, not the blood draw) for the first time. Evidently the colors of the caps on the vials are important... So they drew five vials, which seemed fine at the time. When I crashed flat out at 7:30 that night, I think I was feeling the effects.

Now I wait for probably two months -- it takes that long for the compatibility tests. On with life...

Comments

[nonniemous.livejournal.com]

I had bone marrow drawn once; it was very painful. Hopefully they've improved their procedures since then. And I think it's *very* cool that you're doing this. Accomplished, indeed.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Oh, well *gee thanks* for that helpful little bit there, Inkling ol' pal! Kidding aside, yeah, I had heard it would hurt some, although the Red Cross people said it would "feel like a sore muscle after too much exercise." So we'll see -- I will be under general anesthesia for the procedure, at least. It's not a given yet anyway -- and I might not be the only match, either. It could come down to the patient's physician deciding who the donor will be.

Thanks for the good thoughts! *hugs*

[realdaisygamgee.livejournal.com]

*Wow* I admire you more than I can tell you.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Aw, nothing to admire -- everyone here would do the same thing if given the chance, I betcha.

And I'm so glad to hear from you! Popped into LJ the other day and went hunting down *all* your journals -- and found them (almost) all gone. Was going to start quietly panicking, but then you posted again. Whew! Don't scare me, Daise.

I'm in the middle of your new THoU piece and had to stop because it's half-day dismissal today -- Claire's last day of elementary school! Gor, where did the time go? Anyway, I *love* the story and dang it, you do a great job of writing Quest THoU! Will comment more when I finish it tonight, lovie.

*Smooches*

[realdaisygamgee.livejournal.com]

EEEEEEeeeee yeah, I know, I really needed a sabbatical from online life, and that was the only way I could see to do it and make it work. Didn't mean to worry you, dear.

Sam's all done with elementary, too, and I'm worried about him and middle school, given that he's emotionally still a second-grader. Courge, Merry. Courage for our kids...

Yay! Let me know what you think. The piece still needs a lot of work (like, editing, christ...), but I'm overall pleased with it.

I still think you're the Coolest Thing Since Ducati Motorcycles, babeh.

[andraste-oz.livejournal.com]

I too have a great deal of admiration for you. I'm a blood donor and registered as an organ donor but I don't have myself registered as a potential bone marrow donor. I know a little about it, though, because a friend was looking for a donor for the mother of a friend of hers. It's based on ethnicity - I didn't know that before.

Best wishes with it all. I hope it's not too uncomfortable for you, and it goes well.

[shiredancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Vanessa! And I think it's wonderful that you donate blood. I've not been able to do that because of borderline anemia.

You know, everybody in this group is so great, each in their own way -- and any of you would do the same thing in a heartbeat. But I *so* appreciate the support here! *hugs*