Hi all!

So, several people have asked me about what it takes to be a donor marrow match.

Bone marrow contains the stem cells.

Even though the donor will not have to go through the painful bone marrow extraction that used to be called for. The newer way to extract the stem cells is much like taking a blood donation. Yet, matching for marrow is more complicated than just blood typing. If it was that easy I would be an easy fix because I am O+(which is a common blood type).

Although I do not know all that is being matched up and compared I do know a key thing that they are looking for.

There are lots of sites, receptors, etc at the cellular level of DNA, one of these markers is called HLA (human leukocyte antigen).

Depending on the patient and how fast they need the match can determine how close the match is going to be, for the most part.

If someone needs a match pronto/ASAP there doesnt have to be 100% match up... but this is preferable of course.

Many things can go wrong with not being able to match as many markers/factors as possible. Just like any transplant there is the risk of rejection or graft vs. host.

These situations have to do with either my body not accepting the new cells as my own, which can lead to my body destroying the new stem cells in complete rejection, then I have no good cells :(

OR the new stem cells introduced into my body see the last remnants of my stupid cells as bad and kill those... either way that kind of war going on confuses the immune system- no work gets done, and cells are killing off precious cells. Without these cells a body can not fight off the everday germs that people are used to living among... leaving it vulnerable and easily able to contract any little illness, unable to fight it off, and then die.

As you can tell it is imperative that a match be as close as possible, and it is a very nit-picky process, much more than just blood typing(not that I am saying blood typing isnt important or nit-picky in its own setting).

So, now, with all that being said... GET AS MANY PEOPLE TO BE DONORS as you can muster... Or if they can not register to be a match, they can help pay for someone who wants to be a match but unable to pay for a simple donor kit. There are people out there, not just me that need a close match, and you or someone you know could be it... could save a life... or my life!!!!!!!!

Had a really rough day(for no reason but bodily failure). Most days are not great, but today was specifically bad because I could not even make it to work. Ive been able to endure working through cracked ribs, double ear infections, chronic sinusitis, burnt flesh(from UV treatments), and flu-like symptoms from meds I had to take over the summer... I just cant really even start to explain today.
Woke up and everything was swollen, red, uncomfortable(understatement), skin was on fire and itching at same time, lots of pain, exhaustion...You might ask where? answer: everywhere, head to foot, finger to finger. I tried so much to get things calm enough so I could go to work... nothing worked, and that was like 15 hr ago, and things are just not much better. I took meds and tried to sleep and see when I woke up if things would be better... ugh no such luck.
Just a couple extra stressful situations thiss week... I leave for NIH Bethesda, Maryland on Thur, mom is gone off to Kazakhstan, school is bringing more stress to a full plate, cant I chew and swallow?
I just read a long story from a friend that posted it about Eleazar and a mother and 7 of her sons... it was difficult to read. Very gory-fied and yet glorified. The main characters suffered great torture because a king wanted them to eat pig and other defiled idol meat...
Ridiculous... but so is my circumstance. I do not see why Lucifer must keep on the torture- can he not see that as a christian- strength is from the Lord, peace, perseverance, and simple human hardships can not take those, can not break the bond with God? It ridiculous, and yet it goes on. At the end of each martyrs life, while flesh and/or entrails dangling, blood flowing, bones broken they affirmed the loved ones watching and rebuked the king and soldiers by restating that they will have forever in heaven, that God is being given all the glory, and that the kind will reap his reward in the eternal pit of fire/agony in hell.
I feel I must say, this is quite extreme but there are similarities... God is getting the glory, he stays my heart, soul, life... while there is always such depression about me...clouds and rain do pass. I am approaching a Light... and those who believe and pray with me do also :)
Thank you for your prayers...yet another day of torture and glory pass :)

Hey peeps,
This is my attempt of trying to blog... bare with me ;)

So, I am not sure what to really blog about first. Maybe I will start with some history. I might end up doing little tid-bits about me per blog...

Nearly 22 years ago on a brisk night, in the wee hours of the morning, was born a blonde headed baby girl.
Beautiful in her parents eyes, but a handful of a baby. And I really was...
At only two weeks old I already had mysterious, persistent eczema, horrible bowel movements and lots of crying.
I was allergic to milk, and the doctors said that I was too young to really know that...
Unfortunately, throughout the years, by testing and trial and error I have learned about the plethora of allergies I have... these allergies have several reactions. Some reactions are mild and give me rashes all over, others are severe cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, migraines (all which can last for several days) and swelling to whatever touches the allergen(including skin)- swelling of esophagus or trachea(asphyxiation) and pain.
To name a few of the major allergies: milk (any products containing it), egg (any products containing it), peanut (I stay away from most types of nuts in general), legumes (beans and peas) and various sea-foods... to name a few :)
Seasonal allergies, you name the pollen, dust particle, pet dander, etc...
I'm also allergic to one of the superdrugs called Vancomycin, and all basic Penicillin and Sulfa drugs...

Okay, enough of the allergies... now to post... give me some idea to post about. I don't know if you want to know this stuff, or about the procedure/surgerys I've had done... but I will be talking about NIH (the National Institutes of Health), and what is to come... stay tuned and Jesus Loves You! Keep the prayers coming!

Hello from mom. This is new to me so I'm checking out how it works. Hang with us as we get better at it.