My Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT/SCT) story: Will you share yours?

Posted by Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt, Feb 14, 2021

The past two years have been a storied journey of facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia and a subsequent bone marrow transplant. Being in a high risk category for relapse for AML, a transplant was necessary. Simply put, it would provide a completely new immune system to fend off any remaining AML cells lurking about in my body, after my original factory installed version had become defective in recognizing them. My husband and I shared a collective sigh of relief with the news that my latest bone marrow biopsy, at 19 months post transplant, showed no AML or the mutation which caused it. My new immune system is working!
While celebrating the results with my husband and a pizza, it occurred to me how far I’ve come and how life has changed in the past two years since the onset of AML and the transplant. There have been some challenging transitions but none insurmountable. Of course, life as a genetically modified organism, with two sets of DNA and a new blood type, can have its turf wars with a few GvHD issues, adaptations to medications and such. But I’m incredibly happy to have a second chance with this generous gift of life from an anonymous donor, and through the medical expertise of my amazing BMT-team at Mayo-Rochester. Hopefully I can meet my donor someday to thank him in person. I did send him a card right after the transplant giving him my “undying” gratitude!
We’ve all been given a gift of life. I’d love to hear your story. Lori

What diagnosis brought you to a BMT?

How has it impacted your life and that of your caregiver?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy Support Group.

mary612 | @mary612 | Jun 15 8:05am

In reply to @loribmt "Mary and Dane… So, truth be told, I’m sitting here trying to type blinking through tears..." + (show)

@loribmt

Mary and Dane… So, truth be told, I’m sitting here trying to type blinking through tears of joy. Heartfelt congratulations to both of you for enduring the trials and tribulations of this past year!
You’re right, it is a time of reflection. I think you’ll find it happens every year around the anniversary of the transplant. It has for me (us). My re-birth day is coming up on June 28th. It will be year 6 and I’m already reflecting on what I was doing six years ago at this time. This was an enormously emotional/arduous time in our lives so it deserves the reverence of reflection and celebration…every single year! The celebration never gets old, because we are alive to see another year which wouldn’t have been possible without our donors and our tenacious fight to stay ‘vertical and ventilated’. 😂

I remember our first conversations very well and the trepidation in both of your hearts and minds for what to anticipate, how to prepare for the logistics of long term stay away from home and even choosing the right center for the BMT. You went into this fully prepared. I’m so happy to have been a part of that journey, along with our other members who so valiantly jumped to the rescue to calm your jitters, listened to concerns, offered suggestions and extended the lifeline of hope!
Congratulations also on another wedding anniversary. Though it may take back seat to the BMT story, the love story continues because of it. It’s all part of your life journey together. For my husband and myself, my journey through AML/BMT brought us closer together. We’ve always been solid but it’s easy to take things for granted. Facing death and getting that second chance really drives home the point that we are not immortal and things can change in the blink of an eye. So we’ve both learned to take more time to appreciate the small things in life, or as I like to say, “Live life like they left the gate open!”

We actually saw that situation unfold one day and it will forever be a moment etched in my memory. We’re on the road a lot. One day we were driving past a farm we’d seen many times with milk cows in a fence-in area near the barn. But that day was different. There was a breach in the gate! And my gosh, the cows were running pell mell out of the pen into the field…a couple were tentatively hanging back though. But one of them, whom we affectionately dubbed, Bessie, was running full speed, utter flailing in the wind…she was on the lam!!
Rick and I were both yelling in the car while giggling, “Run, Bessie, Run gurl!!” Hehe. Well, it was short lived as the trip home past the same farm saw the cows back in the pen resigned to a life behind bars…with farmer fixing the fence. Le Sigh.
But for one brief moment, that feeling of freedom, the elation of liberation had that old girl having the time of her life! That’s what we all need to be doing, every moment of the day! Never wasting a moment of our freedom to live.
Hah, how’s that for a morning sermon without caffeine! 😁

Thank you, Mary and Dane, for celebrating with your Connect family! This deserves a happy dance 💃💃 and cake! (I love cake! LOL) A huge group hug for the both of you!
Wish Dane the best of luck on his fishing expedition! Even if he doesn’t catch anything, the warmth of the sun, the cooling breezes on the sea and the salt water have such healing qualities…enjoy the moment. Love to you both! Lori

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“Live life like they left the gate open!” We love the mental image of Bessie the cow running with gusto, free to see and feel what’s beyond her pen. Yes, it’s a great reminder to seize each moment, as much as humanly possible. Just savoring the opportunity and blessed second chance we have right now.

Thank you @loribmt and @katgob for your supportive and enthusiastic cheers marking this sweet milestone in our journey. We are so grateful this forum exists. It’s been there for us each step of the way and helps us not feel alone.

By the way @katgob you are going to love Vancouver! It is a world class city with so much natural beauty surrounding it. Plus the Canadians are great people!

Wishing everyone a blessed day!

Mary

anitasharma | @anitasharma | 4 days ago

Hello Guys
@loribmt and @katgob
I hope you all are enjoying your daily routine as usual .
Well I am here after such a busy schedule as a Caregiver for my husband who has recently done with BMT on Dated April 29,2025.
He was discharged on May 25,2025 and shifted to nearby BMT Apartment .Everything looks like dream as we come a long way .Its Day +57 and he is doing quite well ,eating and drinking almost getting better day by day .no more Vomiting ,nausea and Pain now. Doctors called him 2 days a week for follow-up and further medications change. He is too excited for his parents coming this weekends from India to meet him after 3 years .Another good news is that we have received our Permanent Residency here yesterday only , I thot to share with you all.
He is taking all his medicines very positively as per Doctors Prescriptions . My kids will be moving soon there to see him after their Summer Holidays starting from Tomorrow.
I would like to thanks each one of you for your knowledge encouragements and answers for all my queries so patiently . Have a faith in God and Believing yourself and off course good treatment ,Doctors and family like friends we all will achieve it one day. So never disappoint just Fight for it and you will win .
Thanks so so much !
This is a good platform to express to ask to learn and to share .
I am amazed to have you all over here for each other.
Take care Be Happy and Healthy.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | 3 days ago

In reply to @anitasharma "Hello Guys @loribmt and @katgob I hope you all are enjoying your daily routine as usual..." + (show)

Good morning, @anitasharma! I couldn’t have started my morning on Connect any better than with this message from you! I’m over the moon with happiness for you, your husband and the whole family with this joyous news of your husband’s cancer journey! All the months of chemo for ALL and then his stem cell transplant are on the other side of that huge mountain! I truly know the sense of relief you’re feeling now after the months of worry.

You have so much amazing news to share! This all feels like a symbolic awakening or renewal period, doesn’t it? With your husband’s positive, steady recovery from the BMT, the Permanent Residency granted, your children returning to the nest and your in-laws able to see their son for the first time in 3 years. I admit, this news made me pretty misty-eyed this morning. It’s an emotional time for your family. And you’re all now a part of my family here in Connect so I get to be emotional too! ☺️

I’m excited for your husband and parents to finally see each other after such a long separation. Face time is great, but doesn’t replace a hug! As a transplant patient myself, remembering meeting loved ones after a long absence, I was so happy but exhausted. Your husband may not want to take naps or breaks from visiting but he needs to listen to his body. So it’s ok for you to nudge him occasionally to take that nap! LOL. I remember feeling so exhilarated and kept visiting, but then I paid for all my over activity with being exhausted for a day or two. I found if I metered out my time it was better in the long run. Also as a reminder, since there’s air travel involved, his parents should be cautioned to wear masks on the planes/airports and also around your husband…to be on the safe side.

It’s been an honor and privilege to be able to help you throughout your husband’s BMT adventure. You never wavered in your faith, strength and devotion to get the best help possible for your husband. No matter how strong we are, from time to time we all need a lifeline. I’m so glad that you reached out to Connect. We’re always here for you.
Please give my best to your husband and have a wonderful time with your family…and a huge hug for you!
Please keep me updated!

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