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.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jun 25, 2022

In reply to @dakotabonnie "Thank you Lori! I "stumbled" on the forum while looking for advice on anxiety. I found..." + (show)

I’m pretty sure the article you found with Dr. Amit Sood’s Resilient Option Program was from this post by @johnbishop.🙃https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/637443/

As you can see, Connect is a pretty amazing forum. We have over 70+ different groups with hundreds of conversations. All of the members are here to find answers or encourage others through their life stories…and to offer hope.
I’m happy you found us! Please hop into any conversations that interest you or where you can share your journey to help someone else along theirs.

It sounds to me as though you’re pretty successful in having a happy brain. ☺️. What are some favorite things that bring you joy?

dakotabonnie | @dakotabonnie | Jun 25, 2022

In reply to @loribmt "I’m pretty sure the article you found with Dr. Amit Sood’s Resilient Option Program was from..." + (show)

Yes that's the one!!! So helpful and appreciated!! The biggest joy in my life was 6 years old when I had my transplant-my grandson! He's almost 22 now, and each day he brings me more joy! I am blessed with a daughter and son-in-law who live in the same house, and they bring me joy as well. I love Bison (pre-transplant I had the honor of owning a herd), and horses. I love art that is about bison and horses, and absolutely love music. Peaceful, calming music that I learned to love while at Mayo. What brings you joy Lori?

jackiez | @jackiez | Jun 26, 2022

In reply to @dakotabonnie "Yes that's the one!!! So helpful and appreciated!! The biggest joy in my life was 6..." + (show)

Hi @dakotabonnie -your story is amazing and your outlook great! I am heart/double lung transplant in April 2021. I see you like horses. Do you ride? In the recovery period my goal was to be able to ride my horses again. I got back in the saddle in September 2021. I had to have help lifting the saddle because I had absolutely no strength or muscles. So it became my next goal to be able to saddle my horses myself. I hope you are able to enjoy your hobbies each and every day!

dakotabonnie | @dakotabonnie | Jun 26, 2022

In reply to @jackiez "Hi @dakotabonnie -your story is amazing and your outlook great! I am heart/double lung transplant in..." + (show)

Hi Jackie! I'm always so happy to be talking horses 😉 I had a beautiful Tennessee Walker mare when I was at the ranch, and I brought her to town when I moved back to Colorado 3 months after my transplant. I did manage to saddle her, but made sure I had family around after the first time to help me. (My Western saddle was heavy.) I also found that riding by myself wasn't a good idea, so a few years ago I sold Misty to a great family and she went to a home in the country with some other horse pals. She was happier and I was safer, plus the costs and mucking went away for me. I have a couple of good friends that show and ride dressage, so that's how I get my horse "fix" now (watching, not participating. )! I miss riding (you know what I mean) but if I get the chance and can use a stool to get on, I'm there!! I think once you love horses you love them for life. Happy Trails!!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 24, 2022

Can there be any better snapshot of hope than this story about members of our Transplants group? I'm sure you can imagine @loribmt's delight that she could be the picture of health and hope for a young college student.

- Mayo Clinic Connect brings together 2 women with leukemia, 46 years apart https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/mayo-clinic-connect-brings-together-2-women-with-leukemia-46-years-apart/

What is your snapshot of hope?

myfablife | @myfablife | Oct 24, 2022

God bless each of u for your TP journey. I am a recipient to LT 2020 I cherish each and every day to💚

myfablife | @myfablife | Oct 25, 2022

😊💚😊💚

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 25, 2022

In reply to @myfablife "😊💚😊💚" + (show)

I love your @name…myfablife! I whole heartedly agree, when we’re given a second chance at life, we don’t waste a minute! Our perspectives change and we learn to sift through what matters and what doesn’t!
It’s wonderful you’re doing so well after your transplant! No matter if it’s a solid organ or stem cells, we’ve been give a gift and know to appreciate and cherish every day.
What brings you joy?

myfablife | @myfablife | Oct 25, 2022

What brings me joy, waking up every morning and thanking my donor family and my TP team especially my surgeon I am amazed at how many lives he has given people a second chance at life. I am so grateful..
Walking my new rescue puppy she makes me smile and brings me such happiness.
I love flowers I have a lot and spend time caring for them.🌻🌺🌈
Visiting w/my elderly neighbors, their wisdom on life and stories they share❤️ I lost my parents and I was their care givers so I went thru a very sad time but I am doing better so my neighbors really help.
I help w/transporting folks to Drs.
I have a small group of friends I spend time w/especially football season.
I have my brother who lives 10 hrs. away but he is always there for me and helped me through my LTP journey💚
I think the most joy is I was given a second chance at life, I am content w/my life and cherish each and every day.
I think I am at the age I don’t need a lot to bring me joy.😊 I don’t have any children but have a young lady “who was a baby” in my life that brings a lot of happiness watching her grow up and sharing all her activities she just turned 13.
I have really enjoyed being a part of Mayo connect, hearing everyone’s TP journey their ups/downs and how they are doing
I hope I wasn’t to long winded w/sharing.
I wish all the best thru your journeys w/TP.😊💚

abhinav83 | @abhinav83 | Oct 26, 2022

Any one here with combined Heart and Lung transplant? I am in the waiting list for the same.

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.