Platelets and the chances of my brother being a match
A bag of platelets, courtesy of CaridianBCT.com
I ended up needing a blood transfusion today, just a single unit of platelets– those little, sticky blood cells that help stop bleeding. The lifespan of platelets range from six to ten days, the shortest second shortest of the the blood cell line (which also includes red and white blood cells, which have the shortest lifespan 1-2 days) so the transfusion—even though disheartening—was not surprising.
As stated earlier I also met with the transplant doctor today. She seemed to think I would know for sure if my brother’s a match by next week at the latest; there is a one in four chance he will be. Could be worse. The doctor also reassured us that match or no match, aplastic anemia can be tamed with other treatments. I’ll get into those treatments at a later date. Truthfully, I don’t have an adequate understanding of them yet I need to do some research.
Whenever I meet with doctors I wonder if how much they filter what they say. Do they avoid sounding overly optimistic, just in case things don’t work out? Are they just trying to be practical? Realistic?
Someone once told me most doctors treat you sort of like restaurants do, they tell you its going to be a 45 minute wait for a table when really its only going to be twenty. I like that a lot.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Hi Matt,
It has been a long time since I saw you but as soon as I read the article about you I knew I needed to write to you and your family. I am a registered “potential”. My brother has been undergoing treatment at University Hospital for bone marrow cancer. The have treated him well. He responded very well to the first bone marrow transplant and will hae a “back-up” done in August. Chances are as you sit around the treatment room you might meet John and his wife Joy. If ever you would like to chat, I am still down on Shore. My best wishes to you as you begin your treatment. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. sincerely, Ellen Regan
July 9th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Hello Matt,
This is Jamie’s Mom.Chris Wink was nice enough to tell us about you.I’m so sorry you have to go through all of this. We’ll be thinking of you. I remember you as a very nice young man during those basketball days at NHS.You write very well.I hope your writing about your experiences helps you get through this.(Ironically, my best friend works at UMASS, and we go up to visit her every year. It’s such a beautiful area).Know that you will be in out thoughts. Regards to your parents.
Sincerely, Toni Baudoin
July 9th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Hi Matt,
In reading your blog it sounds like she passed along that gift to you. Good for you Matt!! I must say that last weeks gospel came to mind when I read your article, “it is in weakness that we are made strong.” (Been there, done that) My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.
I have to say that I was really taken back with your story; I just remember you as Michael’s best friend in those early school years & the two of you spending countless hours together. I wanted to write to you immediately but just couldn’t. I hate to think of all that you have to go through with this illness but I can’t think of a more proactive person to be your “cheerleader” than your Mom. I did chuckle in your one article when you said that you didn’t know if it was the fact that your Mom knew someone at the hospital (etc.) I had a mental picture of her in action.
Love, Pat Holdt
August 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
[...] one of the necessary changes while in recovery mode. The day prior I needed two blood transfusions, platelets only. I keep trying to tell myself to be patient with all this, just feels sort of surreal the rate [...]