Day 2 of donation went pretty well, at least for me. I was a few moments late (this turned out to be relevant) and my veins behaved relatively well. 4 hours is a long time to be hooked up to an apheresis machine, but in the end, they got what they needed from me.
And almost in time, too! The courier arrived who would be transporting the cells to "International" (all they would tell me about where my stem cells were needed, but his luggage tag said Lufthansa), but I wasn't quite done yet. They needed 1200 mg, and I wasn't there yet. So the dude waited, I hurried (really, there is no way to do this), and he waited more. The minute I was finished, they kicked into high gear processing the cells for travel.
The courier raced away from the donation center before we did, toting behind him a bright blue wheeled tote with HUMAN PRODUCTS on the side. I have seen these totes in airports, and now I will look at them differently.
It is a strange thing to think of your cells racing across the ocean to go do their stuff in another human. My understanding is that if this works, he will forever make blood according to my genetic information. If I ever need such a transplant, can my cells from him be returned to me?
Stu says I look pale and about to fall down, but I am about ready to go wander through the heatscape that is Fort Worth in late June.
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