One year ago today, and after 6 grueling days of Chemotherapy (not to mention the previous 6 rounds of chemo), I received my Stem Cell Transplant.

So to some, I am celebrating my 1^st “RE”-Birthday.  Funny how much one ages in a year.  I don’t feel a day younger than 61.

I was able to identify my stem cell donor.  See the attached photo. I’m told his name is Mikey P! So, I got that going for me!

As I pondered what I would write today in consideration of the 1 year anniversary of the transplant, my first thought was to get philosophical and wax poetic about the entire process, the transplant experience and what has transpired over the past year.  

Then I decided, “Fuck it”?  I’ll just briefly tell it like it has been since April 3, 2019 and then comment on something really important and relevant.

So here goes:

The best thing that has happened since the cancer diagnosis, treatment and transplant is that life has totally returned to its prior state of normalcy (Covid-19 notwithstanding).  So much so that I barely remember the details about the entire event. And HOW GREAT IS THAT!

(Fortunately the entire experience has been memorialized in many photos and through my CaringBridge site).

I had it pretty damn good before I got cancer so I really wasn’t looking for, or expecting any dramatic changes or improvements, other than to just get better and kick the cancers ass.  Which we did!!!  Besides, it is hard to teach an old, stubborn dog new tricks). 

Yes, when you go through something like a cancer diagnosis, you quickly learn about the fragility of life, but this is a lesson that I, and my entire family, learned back in 2010.  The cancer diagnosis only served as a refresher course.

Now, on to what is really important and relevant.  There are many reasons and contributing factors as to why we were able to navigate Mantle Cell Lymphoma and come out on the other end (at last for now!).

However, and given the current state of our world, I would be sorely remiss if I did not pay homage to all healthcare providers (of both body and mind) and especially the nurses.  I mentioned above that I haven’t change since my cancer, but I certainly learned many lessons.  One of those being the fact that, when it comes to the healing process, no group of people is more impactful, more empathetic and more selfless than nurses.  Now, I don’t suggest any of you put yourselves in a position to learn this first hand.  Just take my word for it! 

I have included some photos and a brief video (leaving the hospital post-transplant) of just a very small handful of the nurses who participated in my healing.  To all of you and your colleagues, I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.