The Plush Blood Cells

For my birthday last month, my husband bought me this set of plush blood cells that he stumbled across online.  Before I unwrapped the gift, he warned me I would either find it hilarious or I would get really mad at him for buying me what he considered a “gag gift”.  I didn’t think of it as a gag gift at all.  It’s probably one of the most thoughtful gifts I’ve ever received!  He told me I should carry around the platelet so I always have at least one.  He also thinks maybe the little plush cells will bring me good luck.  So far, his theory is holding true!

My husband also suggested we buy my hematologist a set as a thank you for essentially saving my life and sticking with me through treatments.  I brought him a set on September 13th and he went bananas for them!  He was like a little kid with candy.  He started talking about how he could use them to teach his students and then proceeded to show them off to the other doctors and staff at the hematology center.  I was really excited he didn’t already have a set!

When I saw him a couple weeks after the fact, he said he had texted a picture of the gift to all his “nerdy hematology friends” and a few had even bought themselves a set for teaching.  Below are close-ups of the three plush cells that play a role in my diagnosis: red blood cells, platelets, and antibodies (these attach to my red blood cells and platelets and prematurely mark them for destruction).

RED BLOOD CELL

PLATELET

ANTIBODY