Thought I'd share with you the developement of this whole thing.
Now, earlier this year my brother's doctors in Sweden were all gung-ho about how they could cure him "in a jiffy". Very optimistic they seemed about his odds ('bout 80-85% to complete recovery). Turned out that my brother belongs to the other 15-20%.
SO, I received a phonecall from my brother, where he asked me if I would find it within myself to donate bone-marrow, IF I was found compatible. Sure; he is my brother, and even though it goes against everything I believe in I would do it. At least, to my comfort, we're talking about stuff coming OUT of my body - not going into it.
I was told that I would receive a letter very shortly with the proper referrals and whatnots about blood-typing to evaluate whether I might be a compatible donor. This was in mid May. Time went by and no letter from Sweden. My brother called every day, and I got more and more agitated, having planned my vacation since January. Well, the day came for my Beloved Hubby and I to leave town (end of June) for a trip on the Harley (going from New Mexico to Mississippi - not a short trip by any means), and still no letter. Spoke with my brother and he understood.
Eleven days later we come back home (with butt-sores from hell -2567 miles there and back), and I find the belated, but highly anticipated, letter in the mail. First we had to bring everything from the trip inside, have a shower and -YES, I admit it, a couple of drinks (it was actually quite late at night). Finally there was time to open the mail and what do I find?????
A handwritten note, on an otherwise blank sheet of copy paper - IN SWEDISH! No referral, no letterhead, no doctor's stamp or signature - NOTHING of value! Signed by a nurse's assistant, no less!
The worry I had felt for my brother all throughout the trip, not to mention the trip itself that had been scary enough in parts, got the better of me and with no heed to cost - or common sense - I called the Swedish hospital and raised hell, calling everyone FUCKING idiots!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry about the language!)
Well, I guess that the hospital in Sweden, once they had gotten over the NERVE of my reaction, finally saw the error of their ways and decided to send me a new letter about the blood-typing they needed.
This time it only took five days; the letter included cover-letters (two) written in English, and; lo and behold - a referral! - but in Swedish and without any kind of notification as to whom should bare the cost. Off I went to my doctor, he wrote the necessary referrals and I could finally get the tests done. Shipped them to Sweden and started to wait for some kind of notification.
In the beginning of May my other two brothers had already given their blood for typing. (They live in Sweden as well.) The hospital, however, refused to give any kind of notice whether either of them was compatible until they had the results from my blood test. So it has been nerve-wrecking on both ends.
Meanwhile my poor brother has suffered two major blood-poisonings and one severe pneumonia-attack. He is getting weaker by the day, but do they care over there? No, because it just so happens that the doctors are on vacation.
Yesterday! my brother called me and told me that one of my other brothers is the most suitable donor. Now, I can not even begin to tell you all how happy that makes me, though I also feel that this is something the hospital could have figured out at least six weeks ago (if not longer), saving him - and the rest of the family - a lot of agony.
SO - once again;
F it all!
