[sinking]

I'd like to donate my bone marrow.

i know its painful but you get the anesthetic, and then it will subside anyway with time. also, i know your bone marrow re-grows in a couple of weeks, so nothing permanent!

has anyone done it here before? what was your experience like?

what are the biggest risks?

can i donate if i take meds (anti psychotic and others?)

i'd like to get informed at the city hospital but would also appreciate if anyone wants to share their experience and thoughts here… thanks!

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by sinking

I'd like to donate my bone marrow.

i know its painful but you get the anesthetic, and then it will subside anyway with time. also, i know your bone marrow re-grows in a couple of weeks, so nothing permanent!

has anyone done it here before? what was your experience like?

what are the biggest risks?

can i donate if i take meds (anti psychotic and others?)

i'd like to get informed at the city hospital but would also appreciate if anyone wants to share their experience and thoughts here… thanks!

here is what the registry says about mental illness..... found here in this link

Medical Guidelines for Donating Bone Marrow | Be The Match

Chemical Dependency/Mental Health
-
If you have a history of chemical dependency and/or mental health issues you may be allowed to register. In general, if you have completed chemical dependency treatment, have maintained sobriety for at least 12 months, are currently sober and you have no physical ailments that may put you at risk during donation, you are allowed to register.

If you have a condition such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar or manic-depressive disorder, or depression, you are able to register as long as the condition is well controlled and you are also medically stable.

Serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or delusional disorder will prevent you from registering to become a potential volunteer donor.

It is important that you are committed and able to follow through with the donation process. Guidelines used to evaluate your current chemical dependency/mental health status are meant to protect your safety and well-being and provide the best possible outcome for the patient.

that said I have not donated due to my MS ( Multiple Sclerosis ) but a good friend of mine is a match for my daughter. yes they give you anesthesia, yes it can be painful for some, not painful for others, my friend that is the donor for my daughter says the hard part is sitting, walking....anything that she need that hip and muscle for but then she sees my daughter smiling and playing and says its all worth it even the "bee sting" (she hates needles )

[sinking]

Thanks. i'll go and check it out at my town.

i just….

since i wont have kids, i want a part of me to survive myself… and do something good and concrete for others...

this would be for the materialistic part.

as for the human part, im sure in a way or another, for the best or for the worst, someone will remember me after i die. i tried to give and do more good as i could, and i hope it will be remembered… by somebody

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm sure many here will remember you

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by sinking

Thanks. i'll go and check it out at my town.

i just….

since i wont have kids, i want a part of me to survive myself…

this would be for the materialistic part.

as for the human part, im sure in a way or another, for the best or for the worst, someone will remember me after i die. i tried to give and do more good as i could, and i hope it will be remembered… by somebody

one thing thats very important to remember when donating... unless you are donating to someone in your real life (aka a family member or friend needs you to be typed and if you match donate).... the odds of you knowing where your donation is going or even if it goes to any one or if someone receives your donation they knowing about the person that they received the donation is very very slim to none. think of it like giving your clothing to good will. you know you gave but not whether or not what you gave was given to anyone, thrown out or stored for what ever time allowed. and no idea who bought what you donated.

when a person who needs the donation gets a call they are just told we have a match for you can you come in on this date and time. the person receiving the donation gets the donation, then waits to see if their body accepts it or rejects it. they dont get information like here you go the person giving you this bone marrow is anaanda louise, she is native american, religion this likes that, doesnt like that... no personal bio's are given.

Also each donation is dated/ stamped on intake. there is only a certain amount of time that donation can be used or stored and for how long. you could donate and your donation get thrown out rather than used for someone, your donation may sit in a freezer for a certain amount of time then thrown out. your donation may get damaged in the storing processing and....well you get the point....

please dont depend on a donation being your life or legacy. its all anon and no guarantees unless like my daughter when we first found out she had a rare condition that would require donations all my friends and family got tested for matching and as she needs it the matched ones donate specifically to her. like if your neicee or nephew came to you with a kidney problem and they needed you to get tested to see if you were a match and if so one of your kidneys would go to that relative.

if you want to know who you are donating to and want this to be a legacy check with your relatives and see if there is something you can donate specifically to them.

heres a thought... many people who want to leave a legacy and be remembered leave a will, listing who gets their personal objects. every time that person looks at that object they will remember you.

others make a time capsule video of something special in their lives and gives their family and friends a copy.

[sinking]

Thank you Mickey, you warmed my heart .

Amanadouise, im very aware im not going to know whom my bone marrow will go to and if it will work, or if it will be discarded before even trying.

i like the idea of giving and i think it will be enough for me. i have donated blood too. i just wanted to do something more than that if its possible for me.

as for my legacy, i have written a will and letters and a video. so its not only for that...

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by sinking

Thank you Mickey, you warmed my heart .

Amanadouise, im very aware im not going to know whom my bone marrow will go to and if it will work, or if it will be discarded before even trying.

i like the idea of giving and i think it will be enough for me. i have donated blood too. i just wanted to do something more than that if its possible for me.

as for my legacy, i have written a will and letters and a video. so its not only for that...

I posted what I did because your post stated.....

"since i wont have kids, i want a part of me to survive myself… and do something good and concrete for others..."

my point was that donating does not ensure a part of you will survive unless you are donating to a relative or friend directly.

[-jimi-]

I think registering to donate bone marrow would be a super nice thing to do. I wish I could do similar but I'm not physically healthy so not allowed. If it was me I would not care of I never learned where the marrow went, it's just nice to have done a good deed to a stranger.