Bone Marrow Fun

People asked me what it was like so I'll try and explain how it happened to me.
About the three weeks before DD (Donation Day), they called me into the hospital for the final round of blood tests, (again) and ECG etc etc. They also gave us 10 injections of of filastin (I think but there could have been a 'g' in it like filgastrine or whatever). They told us that each shot costs $1000 and could we please not lose them? They were supposed to be taken evey night and morning for 5 days before DD. So we took them home where they took up space in the fridge.
Thursday morning (23.07) was supposed to be first injection day. The night before we went to visit Cheryll Levitt, who is a nurse and her husband is not only Larry's Chavruta but also an oncologist. Cheryll taught Larry the technique of injecting. He was pretty cool about, being diabetic and used to it.
Thursday morning we come down and decide we are doing this in the arms and legs and all methodical. Larry was great, calm and it sort of didn't hurt after a few seconds.
There are supposed to be a lot of side affects, what I did feel was churning in my bones, can't thnk of a better description. Not overly painful but very uncomfortable, especially around the hips and tush. But lo nora. The doctors were very surprised that I hadn't taken ne painkiller all along, but as I claim "the only chemicals that go into my mouth are junk food". Also very tired and kept on falling asleep in the evening. But did manage to go to school staff meeting on Sunday and to keep awake most of the time.
DD came and we got up early and were really calm. They sent a driver for us and met us at the door of Hadassa Ein Karem (HEK). We were taken up to the top floor and as soon as we got off the lift Debbie (not hours, the social worker who had our case)said "here is the bathroom" and we said OK, and she stopped and sort of hinted till I realised that this is the last bathrom I would see for many hours. So she and Larry waited outside while I dutifully did my thing, not enough it turned out.
They greet you there like royalty and I was put on a very comfortable TV chair. A pillow was put under each arm, then a needle like an infusion, then lots of tubes leading out of one arm and into the other. The tubes led through a machine which is suposed to extract whatever it is they are extracting. I was told that it was only for a few hours and not to move (no nose itching etc). She also told me that when my lips trembled, it was a sign of calcim deficiency, for which I got a really yummy tablet, and I also got a tranquillizer (did I need it? I'll never know).
My neighbour had provided me with a selection of (medicinal only)DVD's so I finally got to see "Pride and Prejudice" and "The Princess Bride". I knew that these were chick films that could never ever get into house. Well, I did give my marrow to see them,.
At first time passed fast, I watched the DVD, called for water (Larry fed me with a straw) and calcium, it was fine. Till I needed the bathroom and then it went soooo slowly. We finished by about 2.00 and that was it. Done!
Doctors and oters kept wandering in to say "Kol Hakavod" etc. I thought the whole thing a bit deflating, I had expected some traumatic change in my body or something. but it was over then it was finished!
I got a certificate and a little brooch claiming I had donated marrow. When it was all done and they had taken off the tubes, I wanted to run to the loo but was obviously dizzy and Larry had to gently guide me. Then we went home (their driver) and discovered we were starving, ate yesterday's lokshen and stored another one of life's experiences.