So I just spent almost an hour on the phone with the coordinator from Delete Blood Cancer (DKMS). We went over the entire procedure and what to expect. I will go to the hospital pretty soon to complete a physical to ensure I am healthy enough to go through the donation procedure, and to also make sure my veins are big enough for the needles! I'm always told that I have good veins and they never have to poke around to draw blood, so I'm guessing I'll be fine in this area. I did find out that the patient that I'm helping is a gentleman that is older than I am that has Acute Myeloid Leukemia. That's about all I can say.
Once they complete the physical and everything checks out there, the patient will undergo Chemotherapy and it is vital that I go through with this or they will certainly die. The form of leukemia he has is acute, which means it can progress quickly, and if not treated would be fatal in a few months. I feel like it's a no-brainer decision here. I either help him or he dies. I have an appointment with my family doctor in a few days to discuss the procedure and get his thoughts on the process. The injections that I will receive for 5 days prior to the donation are a stimulant to produce additional stem cells in the blood prior to the collection. From what I've read, there can be considerable discomfort while taking these injections. I don't mind being uncomfortable for a week to help save a life, but I would just like to hear my doctors opinion on the whole thing. Overall I'm very much looking forward to this, it is mind blowing to think that his life completely depends on me right now, but I'm only more than happy to help.
So the dates are almost set, everything will happen in the next few weeks. The coordinator is getting flight info and hotel reservations ready for me, as I will be going East to a hospital to get my physical and then again for the donation.
Can't wait to follow your progress.
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