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.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 9, 2024

Many of you have connected with @stephanierp in the Transplants Support Group. Perhaps you were someone like @jolinda who greeted, supported and encourage her when she first arrived on Mayo Clinic Connect. Or perhaps you were a grateful recipient of her experience and kindness, like @matthewmcbrien @kidneybean1 @juventus and countless others.

Today, Stephanie is the featured Member Spotlight. Get some of the background scoop about Stephanie through @rosemarya's interview. You'll learn how she found hope and help through Connect, pays it forward, as well as her passion for dance as a performer and teacher.

- Embrace the improbable: Meet @stephanierp https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/embrace-the-improbable-meet-stephanierp/

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Apr 4, 2024

Happy Spring! Happy Donate Life Month!
Happy "Time to post a Snapshot of Hope!"

scottij | @scottij | Feb 7, 2024

I am not a picture taker. I just don't get it as I try to enjoy doing things and not take pictures of doing things. And I admit to being an anomaly and intentionally marching out of step with the crowd. If I did post a picture, it would be of my heart donor's family, his mom, grandmother, brother and his new wife. We have known each other for a few years now and recently got together for a fun "new family" Saturday.

That picture, not shared as I do not have their permission to post, would definitely not have happened without the transplant.
Best always,
s!

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Feb 6, 2024

In reply to @vollenweider6154 "Thank you! Your post is so encouraging. I look forward to being able to share my..." + (show)

@vollenweider6154, Here is a link to a new Spotlight Interview that will interest you:

- Dancing til my feet hurt with new lungs: Meet @chickytina https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/dancing-til-my-feet-hurt-with-new-lungs-meet-chickytina/

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 6, 2024

In reply to @vollenweider6154 "Thank you! Your post is so encouraging. I look forward to being able to share my..." + (show)

Thank you, @vollenweider6154. I can’t believe that today is year 5 already!! My goal in starting this discussion was to offer hope to anyone going through a transplant. So I’m happy that you’ve joined the forum.
It looks like you’ve been with us for a few months but this is your first time posting. I hope you’ve been finding your way around the support groups. We have quite a few members who have had lung transplants and doing well.

I understand being on the transplant list can take a while. If you haven’t already, this discussion is a good place to visit with other members who are also waiting. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lung-transplants/

Sending wishes that you’ll be able to post your own snapshot of hope very soon. ☺️

vollenweider6154 | @vollenweider6154 | Feb 6, 2024

Thank you! Your post is so encouraging. I look forward to being able to share my own snapshot of hope. I'm on the lung transplant list. I feel my situation slowly deteriorating but I remain hopeful and encouraged.

katebw | @katebw | Feb 5, 2024

@gerryp your story and picture made me cry. Congratulations to you!

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Feb 4, 2024

In reply to @gerryp "This picture was taken just about a month ago when I was able to meet my..." + (show)

Aww, what a beautiful baby and proud grandpa! I’m so happy for you and your family. It’s moments like this we feel the impact of just how precious life is…and to be given a second chance through a transplant, is priceless! Thank you for sharing your grandbaby and your story with us! ☺️

gap | @gerryp | Feb 4, 2024

This picture was taken just about a month ago when I was able to meet my first grandchild - something I wasn’t sure I would ever live to see. I had gotten suddenly & critically ill in March 2020 due to a gallstone attack - went into septic shock and nearly lost my life in March 2020 at age 60. Several months later my medical team informed me that I had suffered permanent liver damage and that the only cure was a liver transplant. I was completely incredulous. How could this happen? I had been an active, healthy man with no underlying medical conditions. I waited nearly 2 years on the transplant list at 2 different hospitals - but was successfully transplanted at Mayo Jax in Feb 2022. So it’s just about 2 years since transplant - and I daresay I feel amazing & healthy. I never truly believed I would ever feel normal again - but I think this picture captures the success of my recovery. I am forever grateful to my donor and his/her family for the gift that ultimately saved my life - and let me experience the joy of new life. My perspective on life and my priorities have changed as a result - all for the better. How could they not? I hope to pay this forward - to all those waiting for transplant and those recently transplanted. Have faith in the process. Mayo transplant team is amazing.

manishgang | @manishgang | Oct 21, 2023

In reply to @colleenyoung "I'm tagging @athenalee @estrada53 @melody12 @leahdrose @hello1234. Will you share your snapshot or story of hope?..." + (show)

So wonderful to see this , very glad I came across this group . Give me lots of hope which otherwise had been terrifying , painful and depressive post my liver transplant 6 months back .
Message is loud and clear - get up back , walk as much as you can and enjoy life.

Love to hear more experience. Best wishes to all and me 😃

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