Monday, August 4, 2008

Allergies!

Also here's an interesting tidbit I bet you didn't know: transplant recipients inherit not just the blood type (e.g. O+) of the donor, but also any allergies. That's right, I've read stories where the transplant patient had a successful transplant and then contacted the donor to say, "Thanks for the stem cells, the transplant went great. By the way, are you allergic to peanut butter? Because I can't eat it anymore." And they find out the donor had an allergy to peanut butter!

I've never had any allergies, so I'm not even sure what to expect here. I also know it's totally trivial to be worrying about something like this in the grand scheme of things. But it's still kind of interesting. What if the donor didn't tell anyone they were allergic to peanuts and the patient died because they had some nuts after the transplant? Or what if I inherited other things from the donor, like a love of classical music and literature? The mind can only wonder...

By the way I went cold-turkey on sodas and soft drinks and fast food a few weeks ago, and it feels great. For as long as I can remember I've had a Coke or soft drink at least once a day. Now they just taste syrupy and acidic.

8 comments:

Beth Jackson said...

Steve, I wouldn't recommend a transplant just to grow hair, but gees it might be a side benefit. I'm balder than you are and living with it! Man, a peanut butter alergy would be a bummer I can't imagine just eating "jelly" sandwiches. Keep up the good attitude :) and walking and everything will be fine.
Jeff

Nic said...

Huh, that *is* interesting, I'd never heard that before... I'll be damned...

As for the soda hiatus... congrats! Rachael kind of weened off the hard stuff long ago, now I have *about* 1 Hansens soda a week, even then, more than half a can seems like too much...

obscurity said...

I'd love to see Stever with a big curly fro. That would be the coolest thing ever. I would be really jealous ...

Isn't it funny how quickly soda starts tasting weird after you stop drinking it? I don't even understand how that works.

Unknown said...

What no more Coke burn in the morning?? Yeah syrupy and acidic yummy!! That's coke.

Anonymous said...

Hey Steve - I'd be SO jealous if you got a full head of hair back again! But you should get some perks for all you're going through, right?

I got tested and put into the donor database years ago (like, 1980?), so I must not be a six-pointer, I guess, or they would have contacted me.

Jan and I are very fond of your Mom and Dad, and though we've only met you once, we know we like you already too. We wish you all the best, and are pulling for you.

Jan is trying to get a "platelet party" organized down here. Lots of friends of your Mom and Dad are asking about you.

P.S. - tell your 'rents that the pictures of their new "pad" look pretty cool.

Bob (and Jan)
Albuquerque

Sue and Leon said...

Steve:
Here's a deal. You get that full head of hair and you and your Uncle Leon will each grow a long pony tail just for grins!
Leon

Steve Rider said...

Thanks Bob and Jan. I saw the email about the "platelet party" you guys are organizing. That's neat! I'd love to see any pictures from it and hear about what the apheresis machines are like.

Steve Rider said...

Haha I'll take you up on that Leon :)