27 replies to this topic

[sschneck]

When I work as a long term substitute, they required a physical, which is mainly to check to make sure you don't have TB.  I just wonder if my Dr. will feel compelled to put CML on the form???  Thanks for the input!  I am just having the worst luck lately.  I thought not finding a job was the worst thing, boy was I wrong!

[sschneck]

I don't think the Gleevec is the problem.  If you give someone mutated blood, they could get the Leukemia I believe...

[jrsboo]

Thanks everyone, those were fun to put together!  Made me smile all day thinking up new excuses to put down. 

I, too, tell everyone that I have leukemia, seems like it is just too good of an excuse.  But then people tell me the darnedest things.  In the grocery store the other day, the cashier asked what I was doing that day, I replied, "Taking my husband to the doctor.", and she leans over and says, "can you handle gross things?"  I replied, "bring it on, I have leukemia, you can't shock me!"  Turns out she had a bug in her ear for a week and needed surgery to get it out.............I must have some sort of aura that begs people to tell me the most intimate stories about themselves.  Strange.  But then she was so nice and inquired as to how I was doing, her partner had just had breast surgery for the second time for breast cancer.

This horrid disease hits everyone or someone they love at some point.

Caroline

[CallMeLucky]

It has been hypothesized that if someone with the same HLA type were to a get a transfusion from someone with CML there is a small possibility they could get the CML.  However, to my knowledge, there has never been a case of someone developing leukemia from a transfusion.  I suspect the prohibition serves two more general purposes.  1) in general, it is seen as risky for the donor if they have leukemia.  2) the quality of blood from a leukemia donor is likely seen as poor.

I think it is important to remember that TKI is still relatively new and probably not factored into the blanket statement that says anyone with a blood cancer should not donate.

[helenet]

EWWWWW-- A BUG IN HER EAR!  I thought that only happened on TV.  Was it still alive? ARGHHH-- HOW could she have gone on a whole week?  

[CallMeLucky]

I had that happen to me once, I woke up to hear something buzzing around my head, I waived my hand and the stupid thing zipped right into my ear.  Very uncomfortable hearing and feeling it moving around.  Drove me nuts.  It must have been a nat or something else very small.  I went straight to ER in middle of night.  While waiting for Dr the moving around finally stopped, I figured it died.  They flushed the ear out and I went home.

[Tedsey]

Luck, you could've told her you donate blood regularly and you totally and whole-heartedly agree with her.  The donation thing wouldn't exactly be a lie.  You have to have CBCs to monitor your blood (and we don't get paid for this!).  But it might get her off your back (and why does she wait for a drive to come to her?  One of my best friends has always gone regularly on his own since I have known him 20 years).  It is hard not to let pushy people like this bother you.  So many people think because they like it or do it everyone should.  Very narcissistic and very insensitive.  We should always assume adults have very good reasons for what they do.  And after we have said our piece, to leave it at that. Otherwise, it is very controlling behavior (your co-worker).  Moreover, when people brag about the good or altruistic things they do, I believe it is a sign of their insecurity.  Those who are more secure will do what they want from the heart and keep it to themselves unless asked.  So, her actions say much more about her than your so called "inaction".  But I understand how what she said went a little deeper than just making you worry she thinks you are selfish.  And who is she and does it matter ultimately what she thinks?  I am learning it is only important that those who are close and those you respect know what you are made of.  You cannot touch or influence everyone in the world (and some people are utterly uneducable anyway).  But if we are to leave a positive legacy, it will likely be through this small group of people that survive us. 

I totally understand how you feel though,

Teds 

[Tedsey]

Moreover...

I read an article last year in the Chicago Tribune that talked about parts/body donation.  Just a caveat:  Some places (i.e. universities) do not pay for transporting the body.  And some places do not send it back after taking out what they want.  However, some do.  Just make sure you have all that info up front.