On November 20th, 1997, I donated Bone Marrow at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. It was on this day that I became a real-life superhero. You might think this sounds egotistical, but I just want to encourage more people to experience what I have felt and how my life was changed after saving another human being's life.
I joined the registry in 1991 at a drive sponsored by Auburn University. For 6 long years I wondered from time to time if I would ever receive the call they spoke of when I donated those two tiny tubes of blood for testing purposes. In October 1997, I finally received that call telling me that I was a match for a 35 year old man suffering from chronic leukemia.
I will probably remember that day for the rest of my life. I was sitting in the Jacksonville State University Library studying and my oldest brother, Ray came running towards me out of breath saying, "You have to come home-the bone marrow people called!" At first, his words didn't register in my mind. I was just stunned that he came running up to me when he wasn't even supposed to be there in the first place that day.
When I arrived home a few minutes later, I called the Atlanta Red Cross where I am listed in the program. I spoke to a Mr. Niles Reece, quite possibly one of the most helpful and all out nicest gentlemen on the planet. He told me that I had come up as a match for a 35 year old man suffering from chronic leukemia. He then asked the one question that you are asked at every stage in the program, regardless of how far you have gone, "Would you still be interested in participating?" Before he could even finish the whole question, I told him, "Absolutely!"
He scheduled a meeting at my home to discuss the specifics of bone marrow donation, the risks, the after effects, etc. His presentation was extremely thorough, never persuasive at all! Their emphasis at the National Marrow Donor Program is "YOUR CHOICE." They never come off like used car salesmen or pushy. I viewed some videotapes detailing the workups, the operation, and the effects bone marrow transplants have had on some families. People were being given a second chance in life. People's lives were being saved by someone coming forward and making the small sacrifice of volunteering themselves. (I was reimbursed for all gas miles, meals, and the hotel stay was free!)
I must admit, I was a little nervous. Heck, I admit it, I was scared. I had never gone into surgery before. Niles did a wonderful job of making all of the necessary appointments and arrangements for me so all that I had to do was just "show up."
I spent the next month driving to Birmingham for extensive testing. I had to undergo a physical, an EKG, a chest X-Ray, numerous blood tests, among many others tests. I would like to also say that I met one of the most helpful, caring, and most professional women at UAB. Her name was Melissa Shackelford (R.N.,B.S.N.). She helped me through all of the "work-ups" and prepared me for the marrow extraction. I am not going to lie and say that I wasn't afraid, because deep down, I was scared to death. I had never had surgery before, and had no idea what to expect. Ms. Shackelford made what could have been a very fearful experience a very pleasant one.
The day finally arrived on November 20th, 1997. I checked into a VERY nice hotel the night before in Birmingham. I was too nervous to sleep. I was not allowed to eat or drink after midnight, since the surgery was going to be performed at six the next morning. This, I could handle, but not being able to smoke is what hurt the most! *smile*
I was under anesthesia for the whole operation which lasted only about 45 minutes, during which doctors withdrew
about two quarts of my bone marrow from my pelvic bone. This special needle was inserted into the bone through two 1/4 inch incisions on my back. One incision on either side of my backbone.
I was back at the hotel by 10 o'clock the same morning with a little soreness in my back, but otherwise feeling great. I was a little sleepy from my lack of rest the night before, but the gravity of what I had just done kept me from entertaining any thoughts of sleep.
For the next few days, I had a little soreness at the site of the operation, but it was all very much worth it. I would do it again in a second. The man was able to be released from the hospital before Christmas and was able to spend the holidays with his family at home. The feeling of knowing you have helped another person in such a wonderful way is overwhelming to say the least. I encourage everyone interested to go to the NMDP's home page at http://www.marrow.org for more information.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the one person who was by my side throughout every scary part of this. Danielle Fleming was there for me every step of the way. I had to part with her when they took me away to surgery, but she was there waiting for me the moment they brought me back. I cannot put into words how much her devotion to me during this time in my life when I had felt the most frightened, means to me. Thank you, Danielle...I love you so much...
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