11/27/13 –
One of the nurses came into my room early to wish me an early “Happy Birthday”.
I said “Happy Birthday?” and she responded sure, today is your Transplant Day and
many patients use it as their new birthday.
As cool as
that sounds, I love my birthday. I was born on March 17th which is
St. Patrick’s Day. That is one on the best party days of the year. There is no way
I am giving up that day….. BUT, I am completely cool with adding another celebration
day to my calendar. My family and I actually celebrate the day I was diagnosed
with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. We wanted to turn something bad into something great
so we always do something special on that day.
So, you bet I
will add today as a new day to celebrate because I truly understand the reason
why one would use their transplant date as a birthday. It is all about renewing
life, giving someone like me another chance to live a full, healthy life. The
awesome people who are willing to donate their bone marrow/stem cells are certainly
people of great compassion, charity and kindness. I cannot thank my donor
enough for his willingness to help someone he does not know. Maybe someday I
will be able to thank him personally.
Every day is
a gift and should be celebrated.
“Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud
songs of joy!”
Psalms 47:1
More to come…
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