Any bone marrow donors?

[TEXAS GT]

Has anyone here ever actually donated bone marrow? I've come up as a near perfect match to a leukemia victim. I'm excited about doing it and I've done a lot of research on the internet but I haven't found anybody who has actually done it.

I'd like to know more from someone has actually experienced it.

Thanks

 

[shelbyelite]

:thumbsup:thumbsup to you for thinking and helping out others!

 

[BlackICE]

My younger son at 8 months old was a donor for his 6 year old brother. I would say that the little fella said extended his big brother's life. If anyone is a good match for someone else it is the best gift you can give.

 

[Mullet]

I'd love to say I have or would but I pass out when I get shots so I'm not the best donorkindofguy.

 

[centerpunch]

I'm sure you've already done this, but I just googled marrow donor experience and found several interesting web pages.

 

[fjpikul]

Keith, the head of the program, based in Minnesota, Dr. Dennis Confer, is a good buddy of mine. Basically, they drill a hole into your hip bone and suck off a unit of marrow (about the size of a unit of blood ~ 500 cc), treat it, and freeze it in liquid nitrogen. You're anesthetised, (usually concious sedation, kind of like for a colonoscopy) and when you wake up, you might have a little bone pain. It might last a day or two, a dull achey pain. It's really not bad, although I'm speaking from the standpoint of the guy who does bone marrow biopsies. They usually do it in the OR to assure sterility. The marrow is treated with DMSO to preserve the cells and then snap frozen at -40 degrees and stored for transport.

My hat is off to you for volunteering to do this, it is very humanitarian. I have a rare blood type, so they really never want mine, just my plasma.

 

[TEXAS GT]

Keith, the head of the program, based in Minnesota, Dr. Dennis Confer, is a good buddy of mine. Basically, they drill a hole into your hip bone and suck off a unit of marrow (about the size of a unit of blood ~ 500 cc), treat it, and freeze it in liquid nitrogen. You're anesthetised, (usually concious sedation, kind of like for a colonoscopy) and when you wake up, you might have a little bone pain. It might last a day or two, a dull achey pain. It's really not bad, although I'm speaking from the standpoint of the guy who does bone marrow biopsies. They usually do it in the OR to assure sterility. The marrow is treated with DMSO to preserve the cells and then snap frozen at -40 degrees and stored for transport.

My hat is off to you for volunteering to do this, it is very humanitarian. I have a rare blood type, so they really never want mine, just my plasma.

Gee thanks Frank, all the needles didn't worry me much but now I gotta worry about a "drill".:eek

Actually I'm told 80% of the donations are now done through blood filtration
kinda like dialysis.

Whichever procedure the doc decides to use, I'll be there. I just wanted to get around all the propaganda and talk to someone who had actually experienced it.

I'll keep you updated.

 

[Mullet]

forgot to say......

my hats off to you for doing it.

 

[ChipBeck]

The real experts.

.......Basically, they drill a hole into your hip bone and suck off a unit of marrow about the size of a unit of blood ~ 500 cc......

During my last IRS audit I think they sucked out about 5 gallons. :bored

Chip

 

[jaxgt]

I have not personally done so.

As a cancer specialist, I have however talked to lots of folks who have over the years. For most, it is a few days of discomfort where they polk and prod you, and years of feeling like they've done something so wonderful for another that few others have.
You are a good man.

 

[Neilda]

During my last IRS audit I think they sucked out about 5 gallons. :bored

Chip

:lol

At least they didn't take it from your rear end with a hose pipe as happened with me!

Good man for volunteering to help save a strangers life Texas. I've just very recently lost a friend to Leukaemia - diagnosed and dead in 7 days... Nothing could have saved her. However you're efforts could save a life and that's terrific. :cheers

 

[TEXAS GT]

Let's hope so. It's early in the process but I consider myself lucky to have been matched with someone who really needs help.

I was very surprised and disappointed to hear that of all the matches that are made, almost half of the potential donors decline to proceed. After signing up, giving the cheek swab and then being matched, they can't see the importance of following through. I can understand being nervous about donating but how can you say no once you've been selected?

 

[fjpikul]

Keith, if they want stem cells for the transplant, that's a whole different matter, depending on which machine they use. The process is called pheresis. One machine uses only one draw/return line. The other type uses one line for draw and one line for return. They will stick you in the elbow (antecubital fossa) with a probably 18 gauge needle. They use anticoagulants that reduce the amount of calcium in your blood. The difference in the the two machines: the two line machine is continuous flow, the one line draws it out, processes a set amount, and then returns through the same line. You get a "bolus" of your own blood back (minus stem cells and calcium). This lowered calcium level may cause tetanus (noticed maily in muscle activity in the chin) which is treated by giving you Tums. You'll be hooked to the machine for several hours and have a pretty good sized hole in you arm. No lifting for a couple of days, but relatively painless. They do this all the time for people to donate platelets and plasma. If you want more info, PM me your phone number.

 

[Fubar]

Keith, if they want stem cells for the transplant, that's a whole different matter, depending on which machine they use. The process is called pheresis. One machine uses only one draw/return line. The other type uses one line for draw and one line for return. They will stick you in the elbow (antecubital fossa) with a probably 18 gauge needle. They use anticoagulants that reduce the amount of calcium in your blood. The difference in the the two machines: the two line machine is continuous flow, the one line draws it out, processes a set amount, and then returns through the same line. You get a "bolus" of your own blood back (minus stem cells and calcium). This lowered calcium level may cause tetanus (noticed maily in muscle activity in the chin) which is treated by giving you Tums. You'll be hooked to the machine for several hours and have a pretty good sized hole in you arm. No lifting for a couple of days, but relatively painless. They do this all the time for people to donate platelets and plasma. If you want more info, PM me your phone number.

Wow... I wish he hadn't explained all that. I was much happier with the version were they just knocked you out and you woke up with a lollypop.

I am donor too but no one has called in that favor yet.

Congrats the opportunity to save someone life. It is a privilege both to do it and to know someone who would. :thumbsup

 

[usmcrebel]

Thanks for this.
My cousin died at 26 years old of Lymphoma after a 2-3 year battle. You guys that donate have my respect. The insurance didn't approve his in time so we lost him. If you get the chance and can save a life please do it and think of the empty space that won't be there for the holidays.

 

[TEXAS GT]

Keith, if they want stem cells for the transplant, that's a whole different matter, depending on which machine they use. The process is called pheresis. One machine uses only one draw/return line. The other type uses one line for draw and one line for return. They will stick you in the elbow (antecubital fossa) with a probably 18 gauge needle. They use anticoagulants that reduce the amount of calcium in your blood. The difference in the the two machines: the two line machine is continuous flow, the one line draws it out, processes a set amount, and then returns through the same line. You get a "bolus" of your own blood back (minus stem cells and calcium). This lowered calcium level may cause tetanus (noticed maily in muscle activity in the chin) which is treated by giving you Tums. You'll be hooked to the machine for several hours and have a pretty good sized hole in you arm. No lifting for a couple of days, but relatively painless. They do this all the time for people to donate platelets and plasma. If you want more info, PM me your phone number.

Gee Frank, you can stop with the big needle talk anytime now.:ack

At this point I'll just wait and see which method they choose before I do any more research. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Neilda]

Gee Frank, you can stop with the big needle talk anytime now.:ack

:lol

Kind of what I was thinking too! Really getting you in the mood for it isn't he! :biggrin