Question to all the EN Physicians out there...Bone Barrow Donations
Re-Posted from the "Social" forum as well, not sure which is most appropriate.
I've read that a number of ENers are Physicians and I have a question for any of you that may be familiar with Bone Marrow Donations.
About 7 years ago I signed up for the "Be a Match" registry as my neighbor was suffering from Leukemia and had no family matches. I hadn't heard a thing until this week when I got a call that I'm a potential match for someone else. Apparently there's an 8-10% chance of being a fit for those that pass the initial screener like myself.
As I read the info on the "Be the Match" registry, it appears there are two donation methods. One involves taking blood and the other is an outpatient surgery where the doctor removes marrow from your pelvic bone. The stated risks of donation appear to be small, probalby the same as any other minor outpatient surgery.
As far as recovery...the blood donation method is quick and easy via a blood donation center. It does say that blood will return to normal levels after several weeks. My question on this....could I train normally with the depleted blood levels or would I have to tone down or even eliminate training?
On the marrow donation, I understand it's usually a one day operation...no overnight stay. The side effects are compared to bone/muscle pain you'd feel if you slipped and fell on ice, for example. I'd imagine the recovery time here would be a bit longer and the impact to my training would be greater here, but not sure to what extent.
It can sound a bit selfish asking these questions when there's someone out there who's life would be impacted for many years vs. a few weeks of sacrifice on my end, but wanted to get the full picture to understand what I'd be signing up for. I'm signed up for IMAZ, so taking a few weeks off this summer during my SC plan wouldn't likely impact my IMAZ training much at all anyway. Would just have to forego a couple local Short Course races.
Thanks in advance for your insight.
Comments
Not a selfish question at all, how can you make a sound decesion if you don't have the facts. As far as the blood donation part goes I can tell you from my own effects of just donating blood it usually takes me a few days to recover and work out hard again.
I will also be interested in this as someone I know may need a bone marrow donation and of course I would see if I fit.
Good luck.
Best guess from this family physician (M.D.).
One week to recover from both bone marrow procedure and blood letting.
Take is a bit easier that week. Super hydrate. Eat iron.
Use Epogen (kidding).
And I agree with what Robin wrote above.
It's great that you're doing this!
You have plenty of time before IMAZ. If it were a closer race it would definitely affect your race...but there are bigger things in life than a race performance, that's for sure.
Amen! Keep in mind, you haven't even started the build up to IMAZ and the race is 4 months away. That should be more than enough time to recover.