I'm registered as a donor. :D EZ to do.
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I'm registered as a donor. :D EZ to do.
Crudola. Sometimes I can't get PDFs on the net to open when I'm at work. I'll have to try to home confuser.
Thanks, Nanci. I was told the disease itself is the problem though last I checked MS is not contagious.
i would love to be a donor. out here i can't. though i am a full organ donor if something should happen to me. when i was 12 my grandma had a heart transplant. she was small enough that she got the heart of an 8 year old. i played nurse to her and made sure she had her meds at the right times and helped he with everything. she still says its because of me that she recoverd so well. i was just having fun playing nurse.
i tried to donate plasma one time. though i apparently (this is what they said) had a reaction to the mix that they give back to you when they take the plasma out of your blood. i passed out briefly and when i came too i infiltrated my vein and had a brise that covered the whole top part of my arm. conclusion: i can give, but can't take.
There must be some risk to you, then. There are a lot of neuro/neuromuscular diseases on there. I'd copy and paste it here, but you can't do that with a PDF...Also lots of heart/lung conditions, and endocrine diseases. Also, you can't be an albino.
Albinism, for one, is caused by wonky enzymes/protiens, as are many other conditions. I guess they don't want to go sticking something a bit wonky into someone who is already a bit screwed ('cause face it, you don't get a blood/marrow transfusion because you're in fabulous good health).
Not the most scientific description of what I'm trying to speculate on, but if anyone can translate my ramblings, the TD crew can. :p
Can't explain about albinism or MS or marrow donation...
I donate blood regularly in honor of my dad. He did when I was 5, of complications of surgery for a brain tumor. I remember being told that his friends had donated blood for him, and being amazed that people could take blood out of their bodies and put it into someone else's.
As I think about it now, brain surgery is not one in which you're likely to lose much blood, so it was mostly a symbolic act on his friends' part. I can imagine the anxiety, sorrow, and frustration of young healthy men, seeing one of their friends laid so low, and wanting to do something.
So in honor of my dad, and of his friends, I donate blood. I've been turned down twice in 25 years. Once when I had taken anti-malerial drugs before going to Peru as an exchange student. The other was last year when I was training for the marathon, and my iron count was too low. Funny--turns out all the heel strikes from all the running breaks down red blood cells. So, this summer, as I ramp up the training, I'm also eating more meat.
The platelet donation thing--I've done that, too. The anticoagulant does give me a wierd, yucky feeling as the blood is returned to my body. I've never passed out, but have felt like I was drifting off, with a yuk taste in my mouth. They give me TUMS (calcium) and a blanket, and slow the whole thing down.
I need to sign up for the bone marrow registry. Thanks, Nanci. I love TD.
Actually, on the brain surgery thing . . . when my mother had a meningioma removed a few years ago they had her donate blood ahead of time. They said family members could donate also but they really just wantd her blood.
Fascinating list. I would "require futher evaluation" to be a BMT donor - not because of my PEs or clotting issues (I don't have the Factor V Leiden clotting disorder at least) - but because of my Hashimoto's.
I would hope they'd take me anyway.
Sorry you're off the list SK. I'd take your bone marrow.
Thought - is there some reason that donating might be more dangerous to YOU because of the MS? I am sure they consider that factor as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I got the impression that it was a danger to someone else. Who knows. Another thing on the list for research.
I have gallstones--interesting to see that gallstones is a condition requiring further eval. Wonder what that's about?
Just found this on the NMSS website:
Donating blood
I have a friend who has MS and is taking Avonex. He would like to donate blood at our quarterly blood drive. Can he do this? Are there any reasons why he couldn’t?
XXXXXXX, Rhode Island
Dr. Stephen Reingold, vice president for Research at the Society: Blood banks will often refuse to accept donations from people with MS because of a concern that there may be a transmissible agent—for instance, a virus—present in the blood stream of people with the disease. While there is no solid evidence for such an agent in the blood, this is a reasonable cautionary policy. People with MS who are interested in donating blood should contact their local blood donor programs to determine their eligibility.
I also saw mention of theories about white blood cells moving out into the organs, etc., etc. etc.. Way over my head. Esentially, we don't know what causes auto-immune disorders so you're suspect until proven otherwise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
You may well be a danger to others. But I don't believe it is because of the MS...
Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Ah. Which is why Graves and my Hashi's are require "further evaluation" or whatever, because those are both auto-immune diseases.
So maybe I am also a danger to others....
Perhaps we should change our sig lines to "Team Danger"
Hmm, I missed this earlier. You want to provide further explanation, missy????Quote:
Originally Posted by maillotpois
Hey, we're Team Danger - what further explanation do you need....? :cool:
I just bought my first thing on WOOT. http://www.woot.com/default.aspx
We have one of those phone sets where there's a base station and then two handsets that only need electricity. Well, I've lost one of the handsets, and when I page it- nothing. Either it's completely dead, or abducted by aliens. At any rate, I waited a month for it to turn up, and it hasn't. It's a pain to keep switching the phone from computer room to living room. (The old phone is in the bedroom, and the third no-phone line handset is out in the shed). Grrr. I can't believe we can't find the stupid thing.
But the new phones get good reviews. I'll have two more phones- lose one, buy three, net two.
Bedroom on my side of the bed and computer room on my side of the room??? Our house is too small for six phones!! Maybe the very old one could retire.
I tell you what, it pays to have a phone around that isn't cordless, though, for when the electricity goes out, AND be able to locate it :-)
Oooh, oooh, can I get in on the Team Danger action? (Even though I'm a danger only to myself...:p )Quote:
Originally Posted by maillotpois
danger is my middle name... bwah ha ha ha.
oh wait no its not. its klutz.
Lise, you'd better look on the list! You, too, could be on Team Danger!!
Nanci
Sure, we have to be nice to you.:p MP and I may need you to wield needles for us someday. So as long as you're only a danger to yourself . . .Quote:
Originally Posted by Lise
Next week, Bubba advances to IM shots in my arm.:eek:
Wait- Lise _is too_ dangerous! She has GALLSTONES!! Watch out! I have "thyroid disorder" but it is stable. They let me sign up.
I'm on the home computer and can see the list now. Hmm, I suspect that list is much the same for blood donation but would the list for blood donation be less restrictive (this is just guessing from a non-medical person)?
Gallstones. Sheesh. That's like being a superhero with a very boring power. MP and SK, I'm happy to inject you with drugs anytime. (Wait, that doesn't sound quite right...) Anyhoo, giving shots doesn't bother me, even when they're to myself. (Infertility drugs, literally a pain in the butt!) Snapdragen could probably come up with a great Team Danger logo!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
WHY?? Yuck!!
You really need to rotate injection sites. Since there are only 6 spots on my body eligible for an IM (which must be taken for the rest of my life) and Bubba can only use two, we must progress to spots other than my posterior (whether the contrasting stitching is flattering or not :p ). While we were in Oregon, Jenny did it in my arm and gave him a little training. I think it made him a little less worried to see how easy it is to find my deltoid (muscle-ly thing that I am).
We have an ER nurse across the street who is going to come over and give him coaching on the actual thing. Next up -- my hip (or more acurately the gigantic "muscle" on the upper side corner).
It was good to have him watch Jenny who is really fast with the needle. Sometimes he futzes too much in preparation and in trying to be careful. Meanwhile, my anxiety level goes up. The shot doesn't hurt. It's the waiting. Stab and go. That's my motto.
Yeah, I was quick with the stab, but slow with the pushing of the plunger. I found if that part was a little slower it didn't hurt as much (it is 80 cc's - well, I don't know if cc is right, but it was a big amount of liquid to go it). That and your great hand warming trick! Of course it was in fat ("No! You don't have any of that!!") so I don't imaging it hurt as much as IM.
I had a lovely little pallette of different colored bruises on my stomach, though.
Good that you have so many resources for instruction. That's a lot of pressure for someone who'd probably rater be rebuilding his derailleur, though.
Lately I have been getting my blood tests done by this big huge gorilla-y guy who uses pediatric gauge needles to draw the blood and ALWAYS asks me to tell him my date of birth so I am responding to him right as he is putting the needle in. Wow - I am not even aware that he's doing anything. I love this guy. And even though I am on the anti-coags, these tiny guage needles make no bruise at all!
I had to have an IV while in NS. The nurse tried to put it in my hand. GOD! That hurt so BAD! I finally suggested that she try the big, honking vein in my left arm - you now the one you give blood from.
That worked much better.
V.
If you're ever in Bend, OR, at St. Mark's Hosp and need your blood drawn, ask for Alex. Ex-pro mtn bike racer, about 6'4 (at least), does an incredible Pee Wee Herman imitation among others, will have you on floor rolling. Don't ask him to show you how to ride some tricky piece of trail because he'll do something that will make you crack up so hard you'll fall off your bike.
I bet he pulls the same tricks when drawing blood. I've seen him do it with his children just to get them to behave. So far, Dad is still smarter than his children -- and your tech is smarter than you.:p
And, my shot is only 30 mcg.
Why the IV in the hand? I've seen that a lot. They did that to me when I had one of my many knee surgeries (fortunately, under anesthesia) and, of course, put it in the wrong spot to also use crutches. I can't remember where they moved it to but I refused to get out of bed until they moved it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
It was part of the migraine therapy the doc suggested.
V.
i had an iv attempted to be put in the back of my hand when i was very dehydrated. i think they hit a nerve because for a while the back of my hand would go numb randomly, and then later when i touched it. now i seem to be ok.
I mean, why the location in the hand? Is it because they can see the veins? I, too, have easily accessible veins. Sometimes, it is done in the feet when you need to rotate locations for longer term use. Yeow!
I don't know why she picked the hand. To me the veins there look to be good size. But she couldn't hit one. She kept wiggling the needle around - trying to make it stay. And it was all I could to not scream or pull away from her.
V.
Mystery Men. Lise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
He sounds great!
I guess mcg is the unit. Mine's 80 - but hey, I'm bigger! I think my marg should be proportionately bigger next week, as well.... :p
Still, none of it is great - but there are folks who endure a lot more then we do, and we can still ride our bikes (well, I can't, but I'm healthy enough to exercise vigorously - you get my point). My happy news of the day is one of my TNT leukemia patient honorees is now able to come out of his isolation, is feeling better (after MONTHS of not being able to do anything he can now walk outside) and we're having dinner with him next week!! I really was afraid we were going to lose him.
MP, that is so wonderful to hear. Same one you emailed me about from the hospital during our chat?
You guys should consider Bend for a vacation. Incredible road biking, trail running, superb food, better alcohol, family friendly, dog friendly, no sales tax . . . I'd say mtbiking but it might make you cry. Someday, I'll convert you. This winter -- Mt. Tam or Bolinas Ridge. Just needs to be dry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Veronica
One reason they may have done the hand was because when it is in the crook of the arm, it is really difficult to bend your arm which sucks long term. The best one I had in the hospital was in the top of my lower forearm - totally out of the way.
Lower forearm -- why don't they do it there all the time? Dogs get it there. Why can't we get the same treatment as dogs?
Excuse me a sec . . . . I'm back, Izaak the Wonder Poodle just told me it is because dogs are superior.