PSA - Please, please, please donate blood.

Jul 1, 2000
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My grandmother was diagnosed last week with a somewhat mild form of leukemia.

Last week and this week, she has been in the hospital, receiving transfusions to get her platelet count up to normal levels, and they ran the usual barrage of tests.

They discharged her. Sent her home. Not wanting her to remain in the hospital while test results came back in.

The Doctor prescribed pills that run about $3100 per month. The insurance company did not want to provide her the pills, claiming that they needed to determine whether the pills were "reasonable and necessary." (Are they doctors?)

Anyway, after hours of wrangling, we finally got the pills.

Then the doctor calls this morning to say not to give them to her. :( It turns out that they had diagnosed her with the wrong form of leukemia, and she has to go back in today. :| The doctor said her condition was not good, and he did not want to discuss it further over the phone.

:(

THe sad thing is that she is really the glue that holds my family together. Without her, nothing will ever be the same.

No Thanksgiving dinners. No family Christmases. Nothing.

My family is badly, badly fractured as it is, and it will fall apart without her there to keep everyone talking together.

I'm just devastated. She is (was) such a vibrant woman. It is hard seeing her like this. It is hard confronting the possiblility that she will not just be around forever. Someone as dear as your mother... possibly more so.

I'm just devastated. She is going to need a staggering amount of blood, based on what I've read.

Please donate. I never realized how much people need it. I never realized that there was not enough.

UPDATE -

Well... after two weeks off and on in the hospital, it turns out that there is no definitive diagnosis :( How can you be in the hospital for 2 weeks withouta diagnosis?

She goies in next week for more transfusions, bone marrow testing, chest x-rays, and the like.

So sad :(
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
Dont forget:

Conserve water.
Become an organ donor.
Give to worthwhile charities.
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Don't waste food.
Consider adoption.
Help the elderly.
Inspire a child.
Learn CPR.
etc...


Not to be an ass, but there are thousands upon thousands of worthwhile things people can do - donating blood is just one of them.

That said, I donated 2 weeks ago. :thumbsup:
 
Jun 4, 2005
19,723
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Conserve water.
Become an organ donor.
Give to worthwhile charities.
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Don't waste food.
Consider adoption.
Help the elderly.
Inspire a child.
Learn CPR.
etc...

Everyone has blood, and it takes very little time to donate.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Dont forget:

Conserve water.
i try to. i only bath once a month!
Become an organ donor.
yeap got that. also ride a motorcycle to speed it along
Give to worthwhile charities.
i do. gave $.25 to salvation army guy last winter
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
can't. they have a restraining order against me :(
Don't waste food.
why not? i can always buy more.
Consider adoption.
ok i considered it. naa let the little buggers stay in state care. damn leech's
Help the elderly.
i helped one down a flight of stairs..just took a little push
Inspire a child.
told the kids around here to shape up and do good in school or get sent to DCFS
 

DanTMWTMP

Lifer
Oct 7, 2001
15,908
19
81
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
6,061
0
0
Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.
It is a real fear for some of us. I even know why I am afraid of them, but can't get over the fainting part.

 

MoPHo

Platinum Member
Dec 16, 2003
2,978
2
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I'm AB so chances are that she won't be able to use it. And i got lyme disease and the RC doesn't seem to interested in me anymore...
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
Originally posted by: LoKe
Conserve water.
Become an organ donor.
Give to worthwhile charities.
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.
Don't waste food.
Consider adoption.
Help the elderly.
Inspire a child.
Learn CPR.
etc...

Everyone has blood, and it takes very little time to donate.

Everyone also has organs, and it takes less time to check a box than donate blood.

Everyone uses water, and it actually *saves* time by taking quicker showers, etc.

Everyone here has money, and it takes very little time to hand it over to someone more needy.


So, er.. what was your point again? :confused:


 

Pantoot

Golden Member
Jun 6, 2002
1,764
30
91
Is there a way to find out where the blood drives around you are without calling someone?
We did one a couple months ago here at work, I am ok to donate again, but they haven't come back.

Where do you guys donate?
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: gsellis
Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.
It is a real fear for some of us. I even know why I am afraid of them, but can't get over the fainting part.

I have no problem with needles. my wife on the other hand gets very sick, nervous and hyperventilates.

she is not very good with needles at all.


 

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
Originally posted by: Aflac
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Can't.
Almost there. If the age limit is 17, I'll be there in 3 months.
I didnt know there was an age limit.
I just thought there was a weight limit.
Where do you live?

EDIT: As for me, I go in once every 3 months, which is all the local group wants from me.
 

cKGunslinger

Lifer
Nov 29, 1999
16,408
57
91
Well dammit, all that damn text in the OP wasn't there when I first posted! :|


Sorry for your situation and my inappropriate attempts at humor in your thread.
rose.gif
 
Jul 1, 2000
10,274
2
0
Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
Well dammit, all that damn text in the OP wasn't there when I first posted! :|


Sorry for your situation and my inappropriate attempts at humor in your thread.
rose.gif

Actually made me chuckle. :) It's been hard to smile, lately. Thanks.
 

krunchykrome

Lifer
Dec 28, 2003
13,413
1
0
Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.


I just cant stand needles. I'd rather cough up blood than have a needle suck it out of me. Needles and spiders, those are my fears.
 
Jul 1, 2000
10,274
2
0
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.


I just cant stand needles. I'd rather cough up blood than have a needle suck it out of me. Needles and spiders, those are my fears.

I personally hate needles, too. It is hard for me, but I'm making myself do it.

It is only a needle. I'm bigger than a needle.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Originally posted by: krunchykrome
No, I hate needles.

why not?

I donte blood. It doesn't hurt at all, and while I have blood that others NEED, I might as well give it.


I just cant stand needles. I'd rather cough up blood than have a needle suck it out of me. Needles and spiders, those are my fears.

I personally hate needles, too. It is hard for me, but I'm making myself do it.

It is only a needle. I'm bigger than a needle.


there ya go! thats what i keep telling my wife. but when she was like 10 she had one break in arm. so she is kinda freaked out by them heh