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how long did it take to find your donor
I know it's such a tricky question but I'd be really interest to hear from people how long it took from finding they needed transplant to going in for the procedure.
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Good luck, Josie – guess your transplant must be coming up. I recommend celebrating Day Zero (your second birthday): demand balloons and party hats! I found that a great way to help think of it as a joyful opportunity to celebrate – which I strongly believe it is :-)
Answers
Speaking personally, routine blood tests in the latter half of 2011 revealed a fall in my platelet levels, the counts were monitored for about 3 months and each time the levels had dropped.I had a bone marrow biopsy at the beginning of 2012 at my local hospital haematology dept. the result was bone marrow failure and I was referred to The Christie, Manchester. I had an appointment without delay in March. I was told there was only one cure for the condition known as hypoplastic MDS and that was a stem cell transplant.
I have a twin sister, her bloods were checked but were not compatible. A search was made on the Anthony Nolan register and within a few weeks a donor with an identical match was found. The transplant took place in the May.
Hope this helps, Peter.
My treatment started in September 2012 and I'm guessing the search for a donor started virtually straight away as a transplant was always likely. My sister was tested but found not to be a match, but by early December an unrelated donor had been found and I had my transplant mid January 2013.
As Peter says, everyone is different, but keep the faith that a donor will be found and spread the word about how important it is for people to be registered.
A stem cell or bone marrow donation is one of the least invasive procedures you can have but can make such a difference to the recipient, even to the extent of saving their life. Encourage your friends and family to spread the word and help the register grow, to give people like you and many more a better chance of finding a donor quickly.
Good luck!
Steve
Please keep us posted.
Steve
Good luck and please keep us updated with your progress.
Steve