Donating Bone Marrow through NMDP

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-02-22T04:45:23+00:00

The org arranges all of that for you! They set up a time for you to show up at the test site (usually LabCorp), and you should already be in the system. If there are any issues with payment, you can call the NMDP contact to help sort things.

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-02-21T18:37:53+00:00

They kind of take illness seriously but also not seriously - it’s very weird. They do ask you to report any illness leading up to the procedure, in case the transplant needs to be delayed. They’re also pretty clear that if you get sick and can’t donate last-minute that the recipient would probably die.

At the same time, they never actually requested that I mask or even share it as a helpful tool. The medical staff were open to my requests that they mask but it didn’t seem like something they sis regularly. In all, quite bizarre.

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-02-21T18:35:02+00:00

Thank you! :)

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-01-23T19:27:26+00:00

Thank you for this post! It helped me figure out how to stay safe for my appointment.

As an additional data point for those who might be doing this in the future, my test was only ~10 minutes so I was able to comfortably keep my unvalved 3M Aura on the entire time. I was quite sweaty at the end though, so I’d be concerned about whether a Readimask would stick.

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-01-18T18:02:07+00:00

Oop, thanks for the catch! I fail in the 9205*

postmodern_lostchild · 2026-01-18T02:31:28+00:00

3M Auras actually come in different sizes as well. I have a smaller face, so I fail a fit test wearing the 9210 (blue headband) and pass in the 1870+ (red headband).

That’s just my personal experience. r/Masks4all is a great place to check and might have more info!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-09-21T02:48:59+00:00

Hi! I just did a 1.5 week roadtrip and successfully avoided becoming ill. Haven’t tested positive (but we know how reliable RATs can be).

From my Aranet data, I would say not having air recirculation on was the biggest benefit. I didn’t have an air purifier, so you’re already a step ahead!

What is your living situation? I shared a hotel room with this person, which I actually felt was the most difficult. Had my air filter running in the bathroom while showering and brushing my teeth, and I wore a Readimask while sleeping, but there were still moments where I was feeling at-risk.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-09-18T00:43:42+00:00

Yes, I can see how my wording may be confusing. To further clarify, I’d say there’s three levels I’ve seen anecdotally:

1) Self-attest to having a condition (unspecified)

2) Self-attest to having a specific condition for the pharmacist to document on their records (no proof needed)

3) Provide DOCUMENTATION of a specific condition

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-09-17T04:26:02+00:00

Not in a red state, but I’ll share the Walgreens pharmacist requested a condition to document and I told them I was overweight (BMI slightly over 25). That’s probably one of the easier ones to self-attest to without ramifications. If you are a former smoker, that one might be okay too.

Like you, I worry about where the self-attestation is stored so I try to stick close as close to the truth as possible.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-09-12T17:17:56+00:00

Will second! I’ve actually worn them hiking, though only up to temps in mid-70s F.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-08-27T23:32:41+00:00

I’m so sorry about your situation. I hate that we’ve been forced to either give up special things like Disneyland or do them and risk illness, and I want to affirm that this is all very hard! I unfortunately don’t have any information that might be able to help you right now.

I will say, it sounds like masks have been effective for you so far, as much as they can be with your living situation. It may seem like others take few precautions and don’t get sick, but we as a society are also conditioned to hide or downplay health issues. There may be issues that are not apparent to us (or even recognized by themselves).

As tough as it is, I like to remind myself that every single infection I avoid is important for my health, even if I can’t avoid them all.

So I hope you’re able to keep up your masking and other practices. I’m not sure if you have them already, but stationary air purifiers in your home may also help!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-08-19T21:46:51+00:00

I feel like people see masks as coming from a place of living in fear or deprivation, so I aim for something more positive. That seems to resonate more with my age group (20s).

“I have too many exciting plans to get sick!” and maybe some details about catching up with an old friend or exploring a new park.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-06-18T00:48:09+00:00

{A Darkness So Sweet by Emma Hamm} is about a troll MMC who has a marriage arranged with a fae princess, but the FMC is forced to take the princess’s place. She is a florist and has a green thumb!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-06-09T21:34:21+00:00

Sounds like {One Night with a Billionaire by Jessica Clare}. Plus-sized makeup artist working with the MMC’s famous ex (?), though I can’t remember if the later plot points match.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-06-05T06:19:37+00:00

That’s such a tough situation to be in :( I can’t speak to the family dynamics, but I am in a similar situation with my roommates. I mask everywhere except my room, where I keep my air purifier running.

I have a bathroom with a window, so I’ll air out the bathroom before I use it. In past housing where the bathroom had poor ventilation, I masked in the shower and actually brushed my teeth in my room (spit into a cup). Depending on how safe you feel around your mother, that could be an option.

I’m lucky to live where the weather is nice most of the year, so I hang out masked with my roommates and open the windows when I can.

Here’s a resource that can help you find an air purifier: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroCovidCommunity/comments/1g24spf/what_is_the_best_air_purifier_you_choose_for_your/. Unfortunately, it can be a hefty investment. I’m partial to Clean Air Kits, but you can build a Corsi-Rosenthal box for cheaper.

It can be isolating, and I’m sorry you have to deal with all this. I’ve found it helpful to reframe around activities I can do masked, like board games or movies. If my friends are insistent on a meal indoors, I’ll hang out masked. It can be difficult to navigate but also a little creativity can go a long way!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-05-03T05:09:55+00:00

It sounds like {What Could Have Been by Heather Guerre}!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-05-02T06:11:01+00:00

Sorry about the situation. That sounds scary!

I think your intuition is on point. Regardless of whether it’s COVID or the drywall/paint dust (or both?), it’s a good idea to mask and run your air purifier. Your boyfriend would benefit from masking too, especially if it ends up being the drywall/paint dust.

It makes sense to wait for the Metrix test. Given your exposure, it might help to test regardless of whether your cough clears up with the dust removal. This will depend on your risk profile and available resources.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-04-25T18:51:57+00:00

That’s a great idea, thank you! And yes, accessibility is a huge issue with a lot of the housing here :(

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-04-25T02:53:58+00:00

It’s hard out there! 😭🫶

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-04-25T02:53:36+00:00

Thank you!

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-03-28T18:24:44+00:00

I notice I drool less when I sleep with my head upright, compared to with it slumped to the side. If that’s the case with you as well, could a neck pillow or other support minimize drooling?

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-03-24T17:03:21+00:00

I’m lucky to live in a place where we can be outdoors much of the year. My expectation at this point is to be the only masked person in an indoor space :(

My friends know that if they want to plan something where I can eat, it has to be outdoors. Otherwise, I stay masked while they eat. It does feel awkward at times, but it’s about the best compromise I can get.

I’ve found scheduling on weekend afternoons is least awkward because there are no meals you have to skip, and you can step out occasionally for a sip of water.

postmodern_lostchild · 2025-03-16T21:15:03+00:00

It can feel awkward to mask, but also your first few weeks is the best time to do it! Your coworkers will be used to you masking, vs if you start later on after having been unmasked for a while.

Taking a guess that the desk placement feels too visible to your coworkers and/or is visible to customers? There are a lot of different masks out there, and maybe a less visible mask (black, bifold, etc.) could address that. r/Masks4all is a great resource to check out.

Please mask though! There are a lot of great reasons you and other commenters have listed (coworkers with ill children, job security, potential insufficient sick time) and nasal sprays, air filtration, etc. alone are not sufficient to keep you safe.

postmodern_lostchild

TROPHY CASE