So it's been two and a half weeks since my PBSC donation, and many thoughts and emotions have been going though me. It's so weird to think that I gave someone what they needed to survive; and the night of the donation, I was perfectly fine, like nothing even happened. I could move on with my life, fancy free.
Because of this, I became really unemotional about it all. People would ask me if I get to meet to donee. I would respond that I would have to wait either half a year, or a year, depending if the patient wants to meet me. To me, I didn't mind if I met the person or not. I did my part, went through the week long process. Just knowing I went through with it is exhilarating enough for me.
Then, about a week after the donation, I kicked it old school and watched some re-runs of "7th Heaven." In one of the episodes, a woman finally got to meet not just one donee, but three that received different organs from her son who died in a car accident. I was balling like a baby when I saw how emotional she was; so happy that her loss saved three lives. I know my situation is different. But it made me realize that if I ever do meet my recipient, I had better have a whole box of tissues with me. It's going to be so much more emotional than I thought.
Another thought I've been having is a silly question I have been asked a lot.
"What made you decide to donate?"
Now, to me, that is a silly question. And one that is hard to answer without sounding..... snobbish? I mean, I do have a reason for signing up for the registry. A short time after you passed away, I wanted a direct way to help, to give back. I don't remember what I googled one day, but somehow I came upon the Be the Match registry. I read through some of the information and process details, and was dismayed to see that I had to wait until I was 18 to sign up. I talked to my aunt about it, and she was very excited about it all.
So I guess that is one answer to that question. My mom died of Leukemia, so I wanted to save someone else from their battle. But that is a little close and personal. And an unnecessary answer. I mean, to me, if it took someone to die for someone else to sign up, what good would that do? I mean, why can't the answer be plain and simple.
"I just wanted to save a life."
It really is that simple. I mean the odds of a patient to match with someone else's bone marrow are MICROSCOPIC. I feel like just knowing that, people should sign up. If you are healthy and able, are cancer free, are between the ages of 18 and 60, meet the BMI requirements, and have never had spinal surgery, why WOULDN'T you sign up? Call me crazy, but it seems selfish to just sit around and not take action. All you have to do is sign up, and there's a 53/54 chance you will never get called in your lifetime. If you do get chosen, so you go through some manageable pain? Think about what your recipient has to go through every day with their battle of cancer. There is no comparison.
Sorry, I just got really mad all of a sudden. It just.... makes sense to me. I mean, for me, donating gave me a whole new perspective on things. Look at my passion for Be the Match! It means SO much to me when people tell me that I have inspired them to sign up, or when they let me know they are already in the registry. Whether it was someone as close to me as Nancy or Lou Lou (who sent her kit in the mail today! Yay!) or a stranger who was at closing ceremonies at Relay for Life and heard my story. I am so glad I can make a difference.
But you know me, I am never satisfied. I wish more people would sign up. I wish all of my friends would sign up. Heck, I wish it was a requirement for people to sign up! Wouldn't that be something. Think of how many more people could be saved if every healthy person in the world was signed up onto the registry.
Alright, well that's my rant for the night. This is me wishing that more people could be like me, and tell people that "I just wanted to save a life." I can't force people to make that decision though, I know that. It is a big step to take. But then again, maybe it isn't. Maybe it really is simple.
Love your baby doll,
Tessy Loo Loo
P.S. Again, if you read this, please consider following the link and registering for Be the Match. You have the power to save a life.
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