Day +31

When a bone marrow transplant patient receives their transplant, they get a new birthday. The transplant day is known as "Day Zero" for them, when they get a new gift of life from the donor. Each day after that is a new milestone of life. Each little step is celebrated and indescribable. The initial goal is to get to Day +100, which is a huge milestone on the road of recovery. This is when they typically get to go back home and start to enjoy a normal life and the highest risk of infections are behind them.

Today my recipient is on Day +31.

I still think of him every day. Hoping that they are feeling better. Hoping that the worst is over and they can begin the journey of enjoying a new life.

I contacted DKMS today and they said they have requested an update from the doctor and it will most likely be early May before we get feedback. The waiting is hard for me. I don't know that I will ever stop thinking of this whole experience. I am convinced that even though we have to remain anonymous, somehow, someday, we will meet.

So what's next?

A funny thing happened after I returned home from this whole experience. My donation was done, and there seemed to be nothing left to do but wait for word on the outcome of the transplant. Everything went so smooth, and it was over before I knew it. I thought to myself, "What else can I do besides wait?"

I have decided to coordinate a bone marrow drive at work. I contacted DKMS and my HR department to get started on this process. I am even thinking of trying to reach out to the community to have others come by during the drive as well.

I'll update here when I know more...

A week and a day

So today has been one week and one day since my donation. I went back to work last week, well, Thursday didn't go well as I had mentioned in my last post. Friday I felt much better, and worked from home. Saturday I think I was probably close to 90% normal. I do sports photography on the side, and went to shoot a Major League Soccer game that night. By the end of the night, I was getting a little worn out, but it was late so I kind of expected it. Sunday I attended church and then didn't do much else the rest of the day.

Every day I still wake up and immediately think about my recipient. Any day now I'm hoping they get the uncomfortable aches of my cells taking over, which would be great news for them as this would indicate engraftment.

DKMS called me again today to check on me. I was happy to report that I'm feeling tip top! I still have a slight rash around the needle mark for the return line, mainly from where the tape was. No aches or pains any more though. They mentioned that they do not get any kind of automatic updates from the recipients doctor, and reminded me that they will contact them at the one month mark for a status. I will be so anxious to hear how things are going. I think I'll set a reminder on my phone for April 24th!

I still feel kind of strange now that everything is over. I guess it hasn't fully hit me what I've done, since I can't put a face to who I helped. I know it was a huge impact for them, as I was the only one that could help, but it just feels strange right now. I guess that may be why I was really hoping to be able to meet them some day, so I could see who I helped. Perhaps they will send me an anonymous letter or card, and that will help. I have been trying to think of what to send them.... I absolutely want them to know how excited I was to be able to help them, and how much I hope they are doing better. I also want them to know that I hope their family is happy and enjoying time together, which is kind of stupid, as I'm sure they are ecstatic!

I think I'll start working on a letter to send them.