Naively, I never thought that I would be the recipient of a donation. Earlier this year I was unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. Only 10-per million. My body was being a bit of a drama queen. Next time, a simple case of the sniffles will suffice. I was perfectly healthy until I wasn’t.
It happened fast. One day I was going to work and by the next week I could barely walk or shower myself. Little did I know that my organs were shutting down. My lungs were hemorrhaging, the lining of my heart became terribly inflamed, and my kidneys were failing.
I was hospitalized for 5 weeks. In that time there were a number of hurdles. It often felt like one step forward and three steps back. My kidneys continued to fail until a Hail May was presented. I was advised that 7 days of plasma exchange could potentially halt the progression of my kidney failure. The caveat being that it carried a risk of infection. If this occurred my body would not be able to fight. Game over. Not a choice that anyone should have to make. Yet, I had nothing to lose.
It worked. I was discharged a week later. I’m still working diligently to get back to a new version of normal. I like to tell people that I’m the 2.0 version of myself that didn’t get the upgrade and has a slightly slower operating system. Frankly, I prefer a little analogue walk in the woods anyway.
This disease is for life. I can’t return it because the milk tastes off. It’s a new friend that’s now a part of who I am, but make no mistake, it’s not my new moniker nor do I have time for self-pity.
Sometimes you have to make a choice. At some point a seagull will take your lunch. You can forever mourn that sandwich and never eat outside again or grab another and give it a whirl. I’m the latter.
Carl Sagan once said “Life on this pale blue dot is extraordinary”.
I’m not one to disagree.
It is with deep gratitude that I thank the donors and the Canadian Blood Services for tirelessly organizing and facilitating donations. The take home message is simple. Donations do in fact save lives.
Sincerely,
Tara
Your friendly neighbourhood plasma recipient
