Good morning toddler Kathy, whom I affectionally call Kat. I always look forward to your posts and transplant updates about life with those ‘20-something’ year-old male cells’ running the show now. I’m sure the young man who donated those stem cells had never thought that one day he’d be a life saver! And what a life he saved!

He’s gifted the world with Kathy 2.0. An amazingly resilient, tenacious, funny, empathetic and caring woman who makes a huge contribution to the world around her. I can’t wait for you to meet him some day, Miss Kat! I hope he’s open to that. It’s been just shy of 6 years since my transplant. My donor still wants to remain anonymous. I know he owes me nothing, but I owe him everything and would love to thank him in person. I do hope you get that privilege.

Don’t you wonder what he looks like, or his personality? What motivated him to donate? I think about that all the time and thank ‘Robby’ every morning…that’s what I dubbed my secret donor. He was 20 at the time so he’s (we are) 26 and probably matured out of Axe pit spray, greasy pizza, cheap beer, frat boy, girlie mags under the bed by now. 😂

I bet you do have your donor’s blood type. Mine used to be B+ now it’s 0+. Besides that change, I also no longer have a seasonal allergy to ragweed or a sensitivity to almonds! Did you have any allergies before? Notice any changes like that?

What a time of reflection for you, having come through the milestone of the first year after a bone marrow transplant. I’ve said it before but you are the poster child for how this should all go! I’m so happy and honored to have been part of your journey. And now, here you are, filling a mentorship role yourself with guiding others along their new path to a 2nd life. Next year, by this time, you should be considered out of your terrible twos and into adulthood! Ta dah! Big girl panties. 😂 With your cute reddish brown curls I can picture you bursting out with a chorus from Annie…🎶The sun will come out, tomorrow…🎶. Have a delightful day, Miss Kat!