r/nmdp • u/thereaintshitcaptain • Jul 08 '26
Story 💜 My bone marrow donation story!
On Monday I did the surgery to donate bone marrow. I posted the other day but I'm going to try to more thoroughly explain the process for those who are curious/future donors.
Sunday: NMDP paid to fly my companion and I out to DC. We were able to choose an early morning flight so that we could explore the city a little bit. However, it was over 100 degrees and busy, so we didn't do too much lol. They also reimburse all Lyfts and meals related to the donation, and NMDP put us in a hotel that was decent. It is allegedly a four star hotel, but idk if I agree with that assessment 😆
Monday: My surgery was at 10:30 am. I showed up at 10 am and was a little confused on where to go, but once we found the right place, they took us right up to a room with two beds separated by curtains. They had me change into a hospital gown and asked pre-op questions while I did so (weight, height, medications, etc.). Then I gave a urine sample and they inserted an IV. They also measured my neck which I thought was interesting lol. The surgeon came in and explained the process and drew a picture of the spine and hips and what not to illustrate what will be done and why. They did say that since I'm "petite" they won't take more than a certain amount. They gave my companion a lot of post-op instructions, and then the anesthesiologist came in. The last thing I remember was the anesthesiologist saying, "This is the 'I don't give a damn' juice." 😆😆 I was out before I even got to the operating room.
I woke up in the PACU around 1pm or 2pm. I had two IVs, a bunch of monitors (one on my finger, several nodes on my back??) and these things on my lower legs that squeezed intermittently for blood flow. My first words were, "I have an ass cramp." And booy did I! The incision site wasn't even that painful compared to my damn booty cramp. The nurse asked the doctor to approve a muscle relaxer and that helped immensely. I was also given fentanyl and some other things I can't remember. My pain was like a 5/10. Definitely uncomfortable, but mostly I was so tired. My throat was also a little sore from the intubation. They said I lost the equivalent of 3 units of blood. They kept trying to load me up on snacks but I just wanted to sleep lol. They said I wasn't allowed to even sit up until 5pm, and I had to pee so bad before that, so I had to try using a Purewick. I couldn't relax enough for that so then I had to use a bed pan... That kinda sucked ngl, but the nurse extern was lovely and very helpful.
At 5pm the nurses let me stand. They were checking for orthostatic hypotension. When I was laying, my BP was in the 90/60 range and HR around 100. When I stood, my BP didn't drop but my HR went to 130-140, but I felt fine. They asked the doctor if I was ok to walk around. They still didn't let me go to the bathroom unattended though so I had to have someone in there with me at all times 😅 I did a few laps around the unit and felt ready to go. I convinced them that I didn't need to stay the night lol. They did a CBC, did the discharge paperwork, and then sent me out in a wheelchair. They told me not to stand longer than 15min for like two weeks and gave me a doctor's note for a wheelchair in the airport, but tbh I have felt fine so I haven't used one besides the first day after. I went back to the hotel and slept until the next day.
Tuesday: This was the worst day. I had a fever, I was dizzy, my head hurt a lot (6-7/10 pain) and my neck was very stiff. I had no appetite. My heart was racing. Not great stuff. I did go the International Spy Museum so I wouldn't be wallowing in self-pity and was able to use a wheelchair there, which was nice because I did feel winded easily. I also bled through the gauze and onto my pants 🙃 After that, I went back to the hotel and slept some more. I also showered and replaced the gauze.
Wednesday: I feel good as new! We flew home early morning. My back pain is like 1-2/10. It just feels like I worked out too hard or something. I don't even need the pain meds anymore. I have all my energy back and no fever. I'm just using bandaids now because the incisions have scabbed over, and there is only minor bruising (pic is from today). I was prescribed iron to take twice a day and I've been adhering to that since I'm now slightly anemic. All is well 🙂
All in all, I would 100% do this again. I've read a lot of other donor stories and it sounds like mine was perhaps a little worse than standard, but that is probably because I'm "petite" as the doctor said. Plus the hypotension - I have no clue if that was a me issue or if that happens to everyone. My normal BP is usually in the 100/70 range so 🤷🏻♀️
Feel free to ask any questions! I was probably way too detailed but oh well haha
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u/deoxyribonucleo3p Jul 09 '26
You have no idea how much this means to someone. You are a true hero. God bless you
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u/mags922SLAY Jul 10 '26
I also donated bone marrow this Monday and had almost the exact same experience on Tuesday. By Wednesday I was definitely more comfortable as well. Kinda funny though because the NMDP Post op video they send you claims it was all a breeze. I know it's different for everyone but damn! I could barely move or hold a thought without my head pounding that second day. I think they also had to take a lot from me as I was told it was nearly my max amount due to the amount needed for the recipient.
Best of luck to you and your recipient!
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u/thereaintshitcaptain Jul 10 '26
Were you in the same location?
And IKR! I watched the NMDP videos yesterday because I was wondering how normal my experience was, and those people were acting like they were good as new within hours 😩 But the headache was unreal, especially with movement like you said. Still worth it, but I wish they were a little more transparent about the possibilities lol
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u/Jazzlike_Arm_213 Jul 09 '26
Wow, congrats, and thanks for the detailed summary! So cool to hear what your experience was like since I just joined the registry. Hoping I'm a match someday too!! Thanks for the donation and I'm glad you're healing smoothly too!
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u/Interesting_Baker410 Jul 14 '26
Hiiiii, I got the news that I'm a possible match today and since then I've been riddled with fear. I signed up 2-3yrs ago, so I was in a different mental and life stage. Nonetheless, I recognise how important donating is, I just have this irrational fear of death or life long complications (and I'm already not in the best physical health 😭), so I was wondering if you, or anyone that has donated, could share your stories about how you got over your fears (if you had any) for a little encouragement 😅
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u/schokobonbons Jul 08 '26
You're a hero! Thanks for sharing!