DKMS - Open your mouth. Stick the swab in. Be a donor.

So, and now as promised a few lines about the donation.

The DKMS has really done a fantastic job organizationally and organized everything for me in no time at all. Flights, hotel, all transfers and appointments at the hospital. I didn't have to worry about anything in this regard and just had to make sure that I and my stem cells moved to Chile.

During the pre-examination, I was accompanied by an interpreter due to the many still unanswered questions and the different stations to be passed through. Gonzalo was able to translate everything into English for me and gave me much more security. In addition, during the waiting times, he told me a lot about Chile, gave me sightseeing tips, and we were able to exchange information about Germany and Chile. So, despite the stay in the hospital, it was a successful and above all exciting day for me.

A few days later, the 'Go' for the donation came.

On the day of the donation, I was glad that I already knew the procedure from last year in Germany. Unfortunately, the nurses didn't speak English, but they were very warm-hearted and very concerned about my well-being.

Unfortunately, at the beginning, my circulation started to fail and I hadn't learned vocabulary like 'I'm getting dizzy' or 'my hands and feet are tingling'. Stupid, really. :D

Well, after my face assumed the white color of the pillow, I had cold sweat on my forehead, and my eyes seemed to have disappeared inside my head, words weren't necessary anymore. :D

This temporarily caused a bit of excitement in the otherwise quite calm daily routine of the nurses and a regular feeding with chocolate for me. You might think I planned it. :D

After I received some water, sugar, and an infusion, everything was fine again.

Those who know me may be able to imagine that sitting still for 7 hours and not being able to move my arms due to the accesses may not be one of my strengths, but everyone really took care of me. I was visited by several doctors, nurses, and DKMS employees who wanted to put a face to my name after all the email correspondence, and even a wildlife documentary in English was turned on specifically for me. So, time passed quite quickly and thanks to the documentaries, I now feel like traveling to even more countries. Sorry, but the 8 months are not enough. :D

Well, after 7.5 hours, I was able to leave the hospital a bit wobbly on my feet, but satisfied. For me, there are only two small bruises and a few days of feeling 'muddy', hopefully for my recipient, it's another chance at life. I anonymously wish him and his family a lot of strength. You can do it!

Conclusion: You don't have to be celebrated as a hero for a donation like this. Saving lives can be so simple, for (almost) everyone. And because it's so important, here's another call to register:

 https://www.dkms.de/en/register

Fortunately, my follow-up examination can take place during my time in Germany/Europe, so there is nothing standing in the way of my further journey in South America.

I was able to take a lot from this 'forced break' for myself and think that everything had its reason - apart from the top priority of the donation.

In this sense: Thank you dear DKMS for doing such a good job and apparently making the impossible possible.

So, now I am so ready to fly back to hot, chaotic, loud, and colorful Colombia. I'm looking forward to the 'LorenzenDoubleTrouble' with Nadine and even to the shabby backpacker lodgings, sand in the bed, salt in my hair, and ants in the kitchen. :D As long as it gets wild and adventurous again, because that's exactly what I need now. 

Best regards from the airport and bye-bye-muesli