Humanity and grace.
Almost three years ago,
Ivy was given a second chance.
Her immune system severely compromised
and her little spirit too,
we were told about a medication called IVIG.
I didn’t know alot about it then -
just that it was a blood product
and
not alot about immune deficiency either.
Only that it was genetic
and all consuming
and that it made my girl very sick all of the time.
I hated that she was ill
and I loathed the hospital and the doctors
and that I couldn’t make it better.
I remember thinking that the paediatrician was joking
when he phoned me up that afternoon to tell me that,
after our third attempt,
Ivy’s application was approved
and then I cried
and then I thanked the powers that be
and then I cried some more.
I think I phoned Dave
and then my Mum.
I’ve watched as each of those infusions go in.
I’ve seen the improvements
and I know what we left behind.
It’s not perfect -
Ivy’s immune system.
There are parts that the IVIG can’t fix
but it’s a thousand times better than what it was without it
and I am thankful every single day.
The most amazing thing about it all is that we rely on the kindness of people to make it all possible.
Without blood donors there would be no such thing as IVIG.
There is no synthetic other.
It’s all up to the population of Australians
who roll up their sleeves
and give.
Last night I sat at a table, with Dave and the kids.
Two of whom are counting down the days until they can give blood.
I sat there with one of the doctors who had looked after Ivy
at the beginning of it all.
She’s now a paediatric haemotologist.
I sat amongst around a hundred others who were being honoured for donating.
I was there to tell them Ivy’s story
and to thank them for being some of the 1 in 30 people who choose to donate blood
so that my girl can have her second chance.
I love doing it.
I love feeling as though I can give just a tiny bit back
by letting them know what a difference they have made.
Just as I was about to start,
a message came through on twitter.
It said something like:
‘Please tell Ivy, eight of us donated blood today because of her’.
There is so much humanity and grace in the world
and we get to be a part of that.
People giving for people.
After we had finished
everyone came to meet Ivy.
They came to talk to her
and to tell me that she was inspiring
and that our story made their giving worth it.
I met to a man who had been to war and had received transfusions when he was injured
and wanted to give something back.
He told me;
“She’s my girl. Every time I feel the sting of that needle, every time I feel nervous about it, I tell myself I’m doing it for Ivy”.
I met wonderful, warm, funny, loving people
who selflessly give the greatest of gifts.
They all have stories as to why they started donating blood.
They are all amazing.
I won’t look at a vial of IVIG
without seeing the kind eyes,
feeling the warm touch,
and knowing
the human face to it all.
I want Ivy to know too.
It’s blood donors week in Australia and I want to celebrate them.
I’m grateful.
I will always be.
Oh Tiff what a wonderful thing to be involved with, I’m so glad there are so many who are willing to give. We lost our blood donation centre a while ago & as a town have been campaigning to get it back, or at least be involved with a mobile collection unit. Otherwise for me to donate means travelling at least an hour each way – which I would do, except for the fact that the times available are when I’m working & only at night, which means a long drive in the dark. But I sign each petition to get ours reinstated in some way, knowing that when it happens I too can think of the girl as ‘mine’ when I donate xoxox
I cannot believe it’s been two years already. Wow the time flies.
I think of Ivy every time I donate plasma .
Her gorgeous face shines even all the way out in Dubbo, in a booklet of stories and blood bank promotional materials. I tell them every time I am here for Ivy.
I’m up to donation #58. Can’t wait to reach 100 in about 2 years or so.
How wonderful that Ivy was able to meet some of the wonderful donors whose blood plasma could well be some that has sustained her well being all this time. Let’s hope through the various advertisements, campaigns and stories like Ivy’s that more people will come on board to donate their blood so that together with current donors, their donations of life’s precious blood can continue to sustain Ivy’s well being and indeed the lives of people like her & in need of transfusions. This meeting with donors and recipients must be such a meaningful & personal experience for all and I’m sure Ivy’s story will continue to inspire donations of precious blood for such worthy causes. xoxo
I was just thinking today that now that I’m not breastfeeding anymore, I should donate. How wonderful that her life, hard as it is, inspires so many, and probably saves others lives as well.
It’s very inspiring. It is so good to hear of generosity and kindness, an antidote for sadder things.
THat’s a wonderful post!! I just so wish I could donate. I heard an ad on the radio yesterday asking for donations, and if I hadn’t been in the UK at Mad cow time, I could donate and would in a second. Damn it. So I will spread the word and ask others who are able if they will donate. I know my Dad does on a regular basis.
xoxo
I’m grateful to blood donors too and wish I could donate again, but the last couple of times resulted in me fainting and since then I’ve taken a lot of painkillers (daily) so probably can’t donate.
Thank you for this post. I only started giving blood again recently. Before there was always some reason not to – pregnant, breast-feeding, on medication, low iron etc etc. So I went a few months ago and gave again (first time was about 20 years ago). Since then they have been ‘pestering’ me asking me to donate again. I received an sms just this morning. Each time I have either been sick or too busy or some excuse. So tomorrow lunchtime I am going, not going to put it off again. I will have to go to work a bit earlier to make up the time but am definitely going. It is now in black and white. I wish I knew that my donation was helping Ivy specifically but since I am in SA it definitely won’t. But it will help someone for sure, maybe another little Ivy here in our country. I am also going to enquire about bone marrow testing. Have been reading lots of sad leukaemia stories lately.
Thank you for telling your story (even though you often have me in tears!).
I don’t always make the cut due to iron problems but I go every three months and most of the time, I’m successful.
The government department I work for is involved in Club Red. We’re doing pretty good this year too … almost as good as the Tax Office .
It’s such an easy thing I always wonder why more people don’t do it.
I am afraid of needles, very afraid, I break into a sweat and get lightheaded just walking through the door of the blood bank! Luckily I am more afraid of them turning me away than I am of donating, I have terribly hard to “get” veins and am not always successful when I go to donate, so it can be frustrating for me and the wonderful staff at the blood bank. They never make me feel like a nuisance or that i should just give up instead they are kind and encouraging and supportive. When they ask me why i am so determined to keep trying I tell them that I donate in memory of a friend, in thanks because a relatives life was saved and because of Ivy and all the other people who have a better life because of the Red Cross.
If I can do it anyone can, frankly I do not understand anyone who doesn’t at least try to donate blood.
Oh Tiff, this brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face at the same time!
So wish I could hug you in person! And Ivy too!!!
xoxoTiffany
P.S. Let the girls babysit – it will do wonders for all of you!
how very very wonderful.
A very touching story. I hope Ivy stays well.
Second time i’ve read your blog and second time i’ve cried lady. I used to give blood regularly but haven’t been able to for a while for one reason or another. This story has prompted me to get off my fat acre and see if i can again now.
Very beautiful post!
It’s so nice to hear of people helping each other.
Regarding Naomi Hart – I got such a laugh over the (probable) typo. That is it from now on i am sitting on
my fat acre not arse. I am borrowing this.Thanks.
Tiff – beautiful picture of one of my favorite 6 year old twins. This tugged at the heart strings – again. This in its entirety could be used as another fund raiser for the Austrailian Red Cross Blood Services.
I am unable to donate blood because of my various illnesses and medications. However I am an organ donor if anything is usable after my death – skin,eyes…
I cried when I hit the line that was from twitter, and kept on crying.
xx
Oh my… the tears – “She’s my girl”… still crying. So touching. Ivy is amazing. You are amazing. You show us the good side of humanity. the kindness of strangers. Thank you.
Tiff,
I help manage blogs for IG Living, a magazine devoted to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals working with IVIG. We would love to repost your blog, Humanity and Grace, on our webiste at http://www.igliving.com. As a mom of two boys utilizing immune globulin now for over 20 years, I can relate to the passion you have for your family.
We do not have a budget to pay guest bloggers, but would provide an author’s bio and links back to your website. Please take a look and let me know what you think.
Healthy wishes,
Kris McFalls
kmcfalls@igliving.com