Last year, Karen received a call from the British Bone Marrow Registry, letting her know that she was a match for a patient with blood cancer. There was just one problem - she had a serious phobia when it came to blood.
In her funny and inspiring blog, she talks about her experiences of stem cell donation, the support she received from Anthony Nolan, and why it's so important to sign up as a donor.
My fears about stem cell donation
The first thing you should know about me is that I have a bit of a problem with blood. The kind of problem that means even viewing a speck of it can cause me to faint dead away like a preteen at a boyband concert. The second thing you should know is that I'm quite impulsive: when I saw a television appeal ages ago, by a family looking for a stem cell donor for their little boy, I immediately joined the register, without thinking about how my blood-phobia might combine with stem cell donation. I then immediately forgot about it.
So, when I received a call from the British Bone Marrow Registry last year telling me that I might be a match, it came as a bit of a surprise. In my mind, donation involved a prolonged stay in the hospital and recovery time. When I read the material about donation however, I realised that I would be more likely to donate via PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell collection). To most people this would seem the easier option, but to me, with my blood issues, even the thought of it made me go giddy!
The BBMR told me they were looking at a few matches, so I decided to go ahead with the blood test with the thought that I probably wasn't going to be chosen anyhow. Matters were not helped by the fact that I fainted during the test and woke up screaming! I think I might have been a bit nervous...
As it turned out, I was the best match. I would love to say that I jumped for joy, but my first thought was, 'can I actually do this?' I spoke about my fears with Andy from Anthony Nolan, who was very understanding, and told me the decision was entirely mine to make, with no pressure. I read the stories of stem cell recipients and their families, and quickly realised that what was being asked of me was so small in comparison to the benefits for my recipient. How could I let my own fears get in the way of potentially saving someone's life?
...and the reality of stem cell donation
I am so glad I made that decision. From the moment I said yes, I realised that I had nothing to fear. I was provided with lots of information and support from Anthony Nolan, and given choices about how the process would go. I went in to King's College Hospital for an initial consultation, blood tests (no fainting this time!), and tour of the apheresis ward - everyone was so lovely and supportive that I couldn't wait to get back for the donation.
Anthony Nolan arranged for me to have GCSF injections at home to boost my stem cell count in the days prior to the donation. I had been warned that the needles were big and might make me feel a bit rubbish, but the nurses took wonderful care of me, the needles weren't that huge, and the only side effect was a small headache. I tried to make out to my kids that I was being really tough, but they could tell that it was actually no big deal. I had my final injection the day before my stem cell donation in London and spent the night at a hotel with my husband.
I woke up feeling ill, but I think it was because, once again, my nerves had got the better of me. I had a hard time eating breakfast (shame, because the hotel put on an amazing spread!), and by the time I got to the hospital I was looking decidedly peakish. My apheresis nurse noticed right away, and swooped in like a mother hen to calm me down and get me settled in. A lovely volunteer from Anthony Nolan came to visit and chat, and he and the apheresis team were so skilled at distracting me that I barely noticed the needles going in and my blood flowing out!
Karen, during her stem cell donation
I found out a bit more information about my recipient, and I started thinking about all he had been through to get to this point. Additionally, I was surrounded by cancer patients who were having their own stem cells taken out prior to treatment. The hours spent in the unit gave me the opportunity not only to sit still and relax (a rare treat when you’re a mother!), but to reflect on the gift I’d been given. In having the opportunity to share my own good fortune of a healthy body, I was able to overcome my fears and offer someone hope. How wonderful is that?
Why donating makes a difference
It’s still too early to know how my recipient fared, but I have sent a card, and he is regularly in my thoughts. No matter what, I will always treasure this experience. Aside from being tired for a few days, I recovered quickly and there has been no side effects, apart from becoming a much braver girl! Donating stem cells stands with getting married and having children as the best things I’ve done in my life. It is such a little, easy thing to do, with the potential of life-saving results.
Be impulsive. Be brave. Sign up. I promise you, you won’t regret it.
If you're aged 16–30, you can sign up to be a stem cell donor with Anthony Nolan. If you're 18-49, you can sign up with the British Bone Marrow Registry here.
