From one of my most kickass, sweetest friends, D1:
Just thought I would give an update - my boy was selected as a bone marrow transplant donor today. Not exactly sure of the when and wheres - but soon.Reminder for those of you that haven't signed up to be one please do! It can and does make a difference!
Loves you my friend!
From the lovely, lovely Nancy:
Deb,
I thank you and the "sisters" for sharing your private medical history, because of you and the "sisters" I registered to become a Bone Marrow Donor last month. I am grateful for to both families for sharing, you both have impacted my life. On one hand ashamed it took me so long to do but on the other hand I am proud because I did it. And I am willing to do what ever they ask if I am ever called by the registry. So I thank You and SWLF for sharing your private and painful journeys. I hope and pray for peace and happiness for both families.
And my very first, sweetness personified, CJ:
I am going today to register and give a blood sample for the bone marrow transplant donor program. I would never have known about that program were it not for you.
If any of you others have signed up for the registry, I'd love to know about it. Signing people up for the registry was one of my New Year's Resolutions and I still fully intend to become involved in drives and spreading the word.
I would be so thrilled if someone I knew that signed up because of me ended up being a donor and saving someone's life.
I sit here and think about how amazed I am that they have this procedure. With all the crappy political talk of stem cell research, so many people are hesitant to even think about this. Like somehow they take dead aborted fetuses and use their stem cells or something. The technology is astonishing. After they determined he was my match, my brother did some blood tests, and had like a full physical workup (never a bad thing to do anyway).
Then when it was time for him to do his thing, he got two neupogen shots a day for like three or four days. The "nupe" shots made his body produce extra stem cells. Enough to share with me. And on Valentines day, they did what is called an apheresis. Where they separate out the stem cells aka the extra circulating bone marrow cells, then return the rest of the blood components back to his body. It took four hours. I know it was uncomfortable. He felt a little bad for a few days, but then was right back to normal.
And there, by the Grace of God, my doctors and my awesome brother and his Superman Cells, I'm here. I'm in remission. I'm moving forward. And I have a damn good chance to live a really long life. Just for you all. Just so I can write and entertain you all on a daily basis. Since I know you live for that. *rolls eyes here*
But honestly. I am crying. I am so touched. And excited for D1's guy. I hope he is able to donate. My brother remarked when he first found out that perhaps that was what he was meant to do with his life. To save mine.
So please. If you are an eligible person. It doesn't matter that you didn't do it before; it's never to late to sign up if you can.
http://www.marrow.org/HELP/join_the_registry.html
And if you can't figure out how or where to do this, or if there is a fee associated that you can't pay, just email me. I will figure it all out for you.
If you could see the faces I see in the Bone Marrow Clinic. Or hear even one story of how someone is desperately searching for a match or has relapsed, you would want everyone possible to sign up too.
I'm so proud of you all. I love you very much.
And it's Zoetime - woooooo!!
My prayers were all for you today.
Posted by debutaunt at April 27, 2006 05:43 PMHave a great time with Zoe! And I know you roll your eyes, but really that assessment is not far off. You are "entertaining" -- loosely defined -- and I would've stopped reading your blog long ago if that weren't true. I am interested in what kind of writing degree you have, because I have one too and it's just another connection I feel I have with you. Well, again, loosely defined -- because you are stronger than I will ever be, and that's why you are DOING this.
My love to Zoe and your mom and all your sisters (and "sisters") and especially that brother of yours without whom we wouldn't have you. Well, I don't want to leave anybody out, so my love to all your family.
Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Philosophical Karen at April 27, 2006 08:30 PMSending you hugs
(been on the bone marrow donor list for years...)
Well-I could write a book as to why you would-should-could get yourself on the donor list.
And as Deb said if you are a match the process
is no big deal-it doesn't really hurt. And my
God-if you could save a life. Well how kewl is
that for Pete's sake (does anyone know Pete?)
This is the best post in ze world. I am thrilled
you are 100% engrafted.
Now on a different subject-I know Deb won't mind.
Thanks to the DebUFans who stopped by our site
and offered their prayers and support. Y'all
are the best.
Shoshie
Tell Princess Zoe we said hello. And we all
love you Deb.
I am a registered bone marrow donor and have been for almost four years now.
The Story:
A high school student in the Princeton, NJ area was diagnosed with cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant. As an African-American, he had even lower chances of finding a match. A massive town-wide drive was organized, and ultimately a donor was found. Over 2000 people (I believe) registered as a result of the drive, and I can safely say it was probably the only time I ever gave blood in my Princeton cheerleading uniform.
Sadly, he is now a student at Harvard now :-)
My Queen! Wonderful post, wonderfully done. Kudos to Nancy, CJ, and D1's guy! And everyone else on the list! It's where all the kewl kids are, so c'mon -- let's donate life!!!
Posted by: eclectic at April 28, 2006 12:51 AMHI Deb,
Thank you for the kind words, but all the thanks goes to you and the “sisters”. I am grateful to both families and I truly hope I will get a call from the registry. My donor kit was sent to my home and it could not of been easier, it took less than 5 minutes from opening the envelope, doing the cheek swab and sealing the self addressed stamped envelope.
I was glad to see Shoshie leave a comment, I hope her and her families are holding up. They are in my prayers and thoughts.
You are doing so well with your excersise routine. Again you have inspired me do get my butt out during my lunch hour and start walking again. Its so therapeutic, it clears my head. I have a walking partner at work but we've been able to make excuses. Thanks to you there will be NO more excuses for me.
Enjoy your long weekend with you snuggle bug.
Peace
Nancy
Ya know what? I signed up for being tested to be a bone marrow doner 2 months ago. They were supposed to send me something in the mail...and I still haven't heard a word! Guess I need to get in contact with them again.
Posted by: Lauri at April 29, 2006 09:09 PMI registered and got tested back in early February and even got two co-workers to go with me. I told them that I had a friend that was going to be going through a transplant soon (that's you BTW) and we were all amazed at how easy the process was. Seriously Deb - I had never even thought about it before reading your blog so THREE people (well probably many more) are now registered because of YOU. You truly are in inspiration in so many ways. I am SO happy that you are remission and am praying daily that you stay that way forever!
Hugs