It's All about the Blood!

Donation has completed and the cells are already with the patient, hopefully doing what they are supposed to do inside her body.  It's hard to believe that one bag of blood cells are enough to radically change someone's life.   

 

There it is, all the stem cells she will need to hopefully help her body rid off the cancer forming cells!  What took about six hours and several days worth of prep for me, will infuse in her body in a little more than just one hour.  It's simply amazing!  I think out of my 3.5 liters of blood in my body, I can surely spare just a little!

Preparation and the injections of Neupogen really did a number on my body.  We knew about the side effects but I don't think I anticipated the preparation to be exactly how it turned out.  Thankfully I was able to be at home with my family who helped me more than I could have asked for.  My precious puppy barked at anyone and everyone (even my parents who came near me).  My home health nurses were thorough and cared about how I was feeling, not just focused on giving the injection.  The doctors and my donor center representative were concerned about how I was feeling and were able to get several medications called in to counteract the nausea I was experiencing.  A lifesaver for sure!

On donation day, I got two IV's placed and I was hooked up to the apheresis machine for donation to begin taking place.  I felt tingling and cold sensations.  Those were normal side effects because the machine was literally spinning my blood at a high rate of speed, taking what they needed, and returning the remainder to me.  I received some more nausea medication and also something to relax my veins during the procedure and my mom and I started watching a movie.  One of my favorites, and I was asleep before it was halfway over!  Thankfully I was able to sleep until the procedure was just about over; most of the day.  It was hard to move with two IV's and you can't get but so comfortable in a hospital bed, so I am thankful for those that took care of me! 

We had a photo shoot before I left as I would like to put together a scrapbook of all the thoughts and occurrences during my journey to donation.  I would like to include how I was feeling and what I was thinking, but also all of the encouragement and support I have received from people just like you, who are reading this journal entry right now.  This was such an amazing journey and even though I haven't regained all my strength quite yet, I imagine it will take some time, I am blessed to have been a part.  God truly blessed me with this opportunity and He blessed me by providing encouragement and support along the way.  There were some moments throughout preparation where I got pretty sick and I wondered to myself, "Is this what a cancer patient lives like each day?"  It was quite humbling to get that feeling.  It still leaves me speechless honestly.  To get a glimpse into that lifestyle makes me amazed at all of those fighting cancer to this day.  They truly are hero's and deserve more than a pat on the back.  They are amazing. 

Even through the pain, even through the discomfort, even through the nausea, even through every single needle stick...I wouldn't change a thing.  I would do everything all over again if this girl needed it.  Get involved in the lives of those around you!  You never know how God will use you or allow you to be used for His glory.  It might not always be fun and enjoyable, but God will give you peace and strength to pull through.  Now, we just have to continue our prayers for the recovery of this young woman who was the recipient of my stem cells.  Go get 'em cells, you know what to do!