Lulach: forum

Good shout. I didn't include a link because it will be different in different countries. I'm in Scotland. Best thing is for folk to google "stem cell donations" and look for the link in their country.


The stem cell donation process is pretty straightforward. In my case I'm using my own stem cells which were harvested a couple of years aigo when I had my first stem cell transfer. They harvested enough cells for 2 treatments. The process is the same for a donor or your own stem cells. The donor gets daily injections for about a week of a drug that helps stimulate stem cell production. Once that is complete the donor is hooked up to a machine that takes blood from one arm then passes it through a machine that spins off the stem cells then returns the remaining blood into the other arm. The process takes a few hours and is painless.

The doctors will try to use a patient's own stem cells where possible as this reduces the risk of rejection but there is still a need for donor cells and for other blood products. I know how important these are as I've had most of them. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to donate my blood anymore but I would if I could.

Sorry to hear your news. I know that feeling of being scared of what is to come. I have a condition called Myeloma which is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow. It is incurable but controllable using different drugs and therapies. I am due to get my second stem cell transplant next week which I'm hoping will give me another period of remission. I have been living with cancer for the last 3 years.,Even in that relatively short time, the treatments for my condition and other cancers has improved and new drugs and therapies are coming available all the time.

You'll discover a new superpower which is the ability to see what is important and not important in your life. Use it wisely. When you have cancer your world becomes a much smaller place. Make sure you fill it with people and things that will help get you through this.

Stay positive, trust your doctors and take things one day at a time. I wish you all the best.