March is always an emotionally tricky month for me. It’s the month, 15 years ago, when I started feeling the physical effects of cancer. I didn’t know I was ill, but the effects of cancer were showing up at an alarming pace.
During my time in isolation in the hospital I received dozens and dozens of blood and platelet transfusions. These were the only thing keeping me alive. Honestly, they were also difficult to endure as not 1 transfusion went without issues. My blood type is O- with Rh+. Not an easy blood type to find.
These life-saving transfusions were available to me because strangers took the time to donate their blood. People I had never met helped save my life. That fact is never lost on me. I wouldn’t be here except for the gift of blood from strangers.
I wish the donors knew how much their sacrifice meant… that it not only saved my life but directly impacted the lives of my husband, children, parents, siblings, and many more. I wish they knew that their donation helped me live and fight. Most likely they know the importance of blood donations but went on with their lives without giving much thought as to how their gift of time and blood would change my life – turned my 3 day prognosis into something unimaginable.
15 years
I’ve been blessed with 15 years (and counting) because perfect strangers gave of their time to help a stranger. I am thankful. ❤️
I can’t do much to help in this bizarre world I find myself in, but I can self quarantine. It doesn’t seem like much, but I know first-hand just how powerful it is to help shield those who need to be shielded, even people I’ve never met. I learned this lesson from my blood donors.
The Time that is Given 