Snapshots of hope: Life on the other side of transplant.

Posted by Lori, Volunteer Mentor @loribmt, Feb 24, 2022

My husband snapped a photo of me walking on a beach this morning. I was running through the surf, picking up shells, smiling and feeling on top of the world with unabashed joy for being alive and healthy. So what?
Well, it’s a photo that wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t had a bone marrow transplant. It’s a snapshot of hope!

Three years ago today I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer and fighting for my life. Prospects of ever being able to walk a beach again seemed beyond reach.
With a lot of chemo, I achieved remission, but my only hope for a future would be a bone marrow/stem cell transplant as the cancer would likely return. Let’s just say, that procedure isn’t a walk on the beach but it gave me a second chance at life and well worth the arduous journey it took to get here!

Along this journey, I’ve been able to help inspire and give hope to others who have faced my same battle. I’m alive, surviving and thriving because of a gift of life from my anonymous donor.

When facing a transplant, whether it’s stem cells, or a solid organ, it can be a daunting prospect. I think a gift we can give, as transplant survivors, is to share our positive transplant stories with anyone who is about to undergo the procedure or is in need of reassurance in their recovery.

Show me your Snapshot of hope! What photo do you have that wouldn’t exist without your transplant?

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

g4c | @g4c | Jul 9 9:31am

None of this would be possible without my BMT! Holding my new grandson and me on top of a 14000+ foot mountain that I climbed in Colorado

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 9 3:33pm

In reply to @g4c "None of this would be possible without my BMT! Holding my new grandson and me on..." + (show)

@g4c Hey Greg!! I was so hoping you’d post some of your spectacular photos! You’re on top of the world both literally and metaphorically. 🥰

Your little grandson is so adorable. And how great to have his grandpa in his life. Congrats, Greg! You are a major source of inspiration for anyone under going a bone marrow transplant! There is indeed hope and life on the other side!

jrwilli1 | @jrwilli1 | Jul 13 7:46pm

So my husband is 3 + years post transplant and without BMT he would have missed the annual college football golf outing with his three sons, would have missed the birth of our 5th grand child and most recently a ride in a kayak with our oldest son while visiting for our first grandchild's (twins) 11th birthday. So so exciting.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 14 7:51am

In reply to @jrwilli1 "So my husband is 3 + years post transplant and without BMT he would have missed..." + (show)

@jrwilli1 Awww, these pictures of your husband and your family, brought an immediate smile and a couple of tears to my eyes. They’ll have the same effect for any of us who have gone through the bone marrow transplant adventure! We know what an absolute privilege it is to have this 2nd chance at life and can’t help but be thrilled for all of you to still have dad in the photos!! 💕

I remember earlier in the BMT journey, your husband had his share of challenges. But with perseverance on both of your parts…well, look at him go!! Thank you so much for sharing these precious moments with us! Wishing you both continued excellent health!! Stay cool! (Right now it’s so hot, that water looks really inviting!!) 🥰

jrwilli1 | @jrwilli1 | Jul 14 10:39am

Well without you letting me vent in this site and ask a lot of questions I wouldn’t have made it. Right now he is set for a surgery in Sept to remove a cancerous looking tumor in his kidney that was only found in a CT scan of his chest since he had a bad bad dream with his Parkinson’s and fractured a rib. But they say once it’s out it’s all done. He is an interesting character. 🤪

dwolden | @dwolden | Jul 15 11:11am

My husband will celebrate his second rebirth day next month. He feels great, mild GVHD is well managed and we are so grateful for every day.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 15 12:28pm

In reply to @jrwilli1 "Well without you letting me vent in this site and ask a lot of questions I..." + (show)

@jrwilli1 Oh my gosh, well never a dull moment around your house. Hah your husband keeps things interesting! My husband says the same thing about me. 🤪
Joking aside, I hope everything is good with the surgery. Wishing him a speedy recovery! 💕

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 15 12:45pm

In reply to @dwolden "My husband will celebrate his second rebirth day next month. He feels great, mild GVHD is..." + (show)

@dwolden Hi Dorothy! It’s wonderful to see your husband (and you!) looking so happy and well!! Last time I saw David in person, was not long after his transplant. You were both looking a little forlorn. 🫤
I know at that time, visions of being out on a boat at sunset, indulging in a yummy cake were pretty remote. So you know I’m filled with happiness for both of you that David most definitely turned the corner towards good health!! I just love seeing all these photos of life on the other side of transplant! And I think I need the recipe for that cake!! 🥰

mary612 | @mary612 | Jul 16 8:01am

@loribmt
Hello all! My husband “cell-abrated” his two year allogeneic bone marrow transplant anniversary in June! He was diagnosed with a rare, high risk AML in Feb 2024. Dark days. He listened to the doctors, ate and moved his body everyday even when when he didn’t feel like it, and took all medications diligently. Sought expert advice on eye GVHD at university of Illinois eye clinic early on, and has that under control, along with some in his mouth that flares up occasionally. He just went water skiing a couple days ago for the first time since diagnosis. His muscles are sore, and he has more muscle building to do, but he is living his life!! A blessing from a donor in Germany. We live everyday with immense gratitude for another day together.
He has met two new grandchildren since the transplant and we celebrated 2 more wedding anniversaries!
There is life after transplant! It’s so sweet and rich after what we’ve been through.
Wishing you all continued hope and strength.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 16 9:05am

In reply to @mary612 "@loribmt Hello all! My husband “cell-abrated” his two year allogeneic bone marrow transplant anniversary in June!..." + (show)

@mary612
Y’all are tugging at my heart strings this week! So many amazing photos from BMT friends! It’s seriously emotionally uplifting to see so many moments of happiness that simply would not be possible had we not been given a 2nd chance by these generous anonymous donors.

You and Dane…awww…such a beautiful couple. The light of happiness and gratitude radiating from those smiles! And the whopper fish with your little grandson! ☺️ That little guy has no idea how close he came to losing his grandpa! 😭
Ok I have to stop…cuz I’m getting tears on my keyboard, I’m not joking! Happy tears of course.
Thank you for sharing these moments! 💕

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