So, I mentioned earlier that my sister Lisa was coordinating blood and platelet donations from friends and family. This was to ensure that the donations were documented and not from unknown donors from the general blood bank. From the beginning of the transplant, after my blood counts were so low, I had received several infusions of blood and platelets needed to maintain my survival until the new bone marrow had the chance to take over.
My parents were at the hospital to visit me. I believe it was a Saturday in the early afternoon and time for another platelet infusion. This was generally a small IV bag that took about twenty minutes to enter my system. It was usually given with a dose of mild antihistamine in case of a minor reaction to the dose. I never really had an issue…until today.
This was an out of body experience. I’m talking crazy. As the platelets coarsed through my body, I started to develop a nasty red rash all over. The nurses called in the doctors to check it out and prescribe something stronger than usual to alleviate the problem. It wasn’t working. I was itching terribly all over. My family was watching and getting very worried. It was not a pretty sight. Then it happened. A full out scene from the exorcist. I had no control of my arms or legs. I was kicking and flailing as my arms and legs were just flying all over. My body was literally lifting itself up and down off of the bed. The nurses were trying to hold me down awaiting additional meds that were being ordered to suppress the devil inside. Everyone was panicking at this point because nothing like this had happened before and it wasn’t subsiding. I believe that the next huge doses received, Benadryl and Atavan, were a hail Mary to stop the madness.
Finally, the drugs began to work and my body was gaining control of the situation. I was completely drained! This was, as bad as I felt during my two and a half weeks, the first time that I thought I was in real danger. We all did. My Dad was beside himself. Its not often you get to watch a live exorcism. He had one question. Who Donated Those Platelets??
This was 1996. No HEPA rules to get around luckily. I was fortunate to have great friends. There were so many donors. Two had actually flown in to participate in the donation process and help my cause. Michele Selvaggio from Florida and David Brecher from California. We waited patiently as the doctor requisitioned the blood bank for the name associated with the dose. The winner….David Brecher!
Dave had come in a few days earlier while being back in Philly for business. He had gladly made time to come down to the hospital to help me out. He was like a brother from another mother. Best friends with my brother Glenn for many years since grade school, he was a fixture in our home. When he came up to visit me after donating, he was white as a ghost. I do remember that. I didnt know if it was that he was afraid of needles. Or that he had lost too much blood. Or that he was my life insurance agent. Ha! I did look pretty bad.
The call went out to the West Coast. Dave was speechless. How could this happen? He felt so bad and apologized profusely. He wasn’t taking any medications or having any medical issues, they screen for that. He could only come up with one explanation. My body couldn’t handle his Supercharged Jewish Platelets! Ha! They were just too potent! I went with it. Dave was nothing ever but a class guy and great friend. How could I disagree? My body was to become a conglomerate of personalities, nationalities, genders and the beneficiary of all of those that mattered in my life. It was so welcomed. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, effort and life saving fluids on my behalf. I am a blessed and fortunate man.
Next Up: I want my Baby Back…Baby Back