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 Transplants Support Group.

jackiez | @jackiez | Oct 27, 2022

In reply to @abhinav83 "Any one here with combined Heart and Lung transplant? I am in the waiting list for..." + (show)

@abhinav83
Yes! I had heart/lung transplant at Mayo Rochester in April 2021. Congratulations on being listed! Where are you listed?

abhinav83 | @abhinav83 | Oct 27, 2022

Thanks for the reply. I am listed at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, India. So when did you have your transplant and how's your health now?

jackiez | @jackiez | Oct 28, 2022

In reply to @abhinav83 "Thanks for the reply. I am listed at MGM Healthcare in Chennai, India. So when did..." + (show)

I had my transplant in April 2021 and am doing good. I exercise daily and enjoy and appreciate life each day.
I have been to Chennai a couple times for work. Have you always lived in India?

abhinav83 | @abhinav83 | Oct 28, 2022

In reply to @jackiez "I had my transplant in April 2021 and am doing good. I exercise daily and enjoy..." + (show)

Yes, i live in India. i had VSd since birth and the surgery was unsuccessful in 1991 because of which over the years i had developed Pulmonary Hypertension(irrevrsible) and eventually it has led to heart failure. Though i am ok for now,physically active but Doctors have adviced to get the transplant done on time as later it may lead to complications because of effect on other organs of the body. I am 38yo.. So waiting for a suitable donor and enjoy my second life.

myfablife | @myfablife | Oct 28, 2022

Best of health on your journey. Sounds like u have been thru a lot.

abhinav83 | @abhinav83 | Oct 28, 2022

In reply to @jackiez "@abhinav83 Yes! I had heart/lung transplant at Mayo Rochester in April 2021. Congratulations on being listed!..." + (show)

I do hope you have fully recovered by now and leading a normal life. Do let me know what restrictions are you following post transplant.

jackiez | @jackiez | Oct 28, 2022

In reply to @abhinav83 "I do hope you have fully recovered by now and leading a normal life. Do let..." + (show)

@abhinav83
Well life for a transplant patient is hard to define as normal. We are always going to medical appointments, having bloodwork done, and adjusting medicine. So this becomes the new normal as the medications often come with various side effects-tremors, hair loss, leg swelling, etc.
Having said that- many of us are able to live better than before the transplant-more energy, able to do things we couldn’t do before and enjoy life. So in that respect, I am at my new normal. And very happy for it!
I had restrictive cardiomyopathy and pulmonary hypertension. I too was very active until about a year before my transplant when I had some virus (not Covid) that really deteriorated my condition. However I kept exercising as best I could. Very important to go into the transplant as active and ‘healthy’ as you can.
After transplant I was VERY weak and could only walk a few steps. I lost a lot of weight and was very skinny. It took several months before I built up my cardio and muscles to ‘normal’.
As for restrictions-I would call them adjustments-food safety, diet, lifting until surgery heals, being around other people when immune compromised, etc.
Every transplant patient has a different story and experience afterwards. I encourage you to talk to as many as possible about their preparation and post surgery experience.
Good luck!

arqui02000 | @arqui02000 | Oct 29, 2022

In reply to @jackiez "@abhinav83 Well life for a transplant patient is hard to define as normal. We are always..." + (show)

Doing work out after transplant help at all and befor transplant you need to have an strength Arms because help you a lot when you wants to wants to be up from bed

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John | @johnnoregon | Oct 30, 2022

Thanks for this Lori. I'm late to the party but ok. A really great post and thread. My liver transplant was a year ago. The surgery was good and so am I. At 270 lbs, the surgery process freed 60 pounds of ascites and edema fluid. Now at age 67, I'm at 170 now and holding. I can exercise, do chores, put in about 15k steps a day just doing stuff around my farm I haven't been able to do for over 10 years. I have been able to do my favorite things, caring care of my horses and riding my Harleys. I just bought a new one as a reward. Cheers!

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Oct 30, 2022

In reply to @johnnoregon "Thanks for this Lori. I'm late to the party but ok. A really great post and..." + (show)

Hi @johnnoregon! It’s never too late to hear about a successful transplant story. When we share about the upside of our second chance at life it really helps encourage anyone about to embark on the same journey.
And wow, is yours ever a positive story! To have lost 100 pounds over this past year is incredible, especially with 60 of those pounds having been retained fluids! That’s like carrying around almost 8 gallon jugs of fluid! Exhausting.

Your body sounds like it’s functioning perfectly now. Beating able to return to a normal lifestyle after being limited for 10 years has to feel like a miracle. I’m so happy you’re back in the saddle again, whether it’s horse or Harley! Congrats on the liver transplant and the new Harley!

Any road trips in the future? How about a photo to share??