Hello all! I’ve been a member for a while, but have not been on in a few months. I just wanted to share a little bit in hopes that some of you struggling can see the light at the end of the tunnel!
I know all too well how rough this disease can be…but you CAN get through it! I was diagnosed in 2011. For a few years I was stable with Vancomycin, and doing well. In 2015, my life took a sharp turn when I came down with cancer. I beat the cancer in 2016, but the chemo destroyed what was left of my liver in the process. Twice, they stopped my chemo and were going to let the cancer run it’s course because I was so ill, but luckily I limped along.
After my chemo, I needed a transplant bad, but they wouldn’t list me because normal policy is you have to be cancer free for 5 years before they will list you. I couldn’t make it that long. My doctors fought hard for me, and got an exception saying I could be listed if I could make it 1 year without the cancer returning. I did, and one year later, I was at the list… immediately at the top because I was so bad.
A few months went by, and I took a sharp decline. I was actually in ICU already when an organ became available. They almost didn’t do my surgery because I was so sick.
Luckily, my doctors gave it all they had, and I made it. I’ve been cancer free for 4 years, and had my transplant over 2 years.
A few months ago, we just had our second child! I was back to work 3 months after my transplant, and haven’t missed a day of work since! I’ve changed very little of my lifestyle. I take 2 medications 2x a day, I have blood tests every 3 months, and see my doctor once a year. I’m healthy as can be, very active, and I feel better than I have in 10 years!
For all of you suffering through this terrible disease, just know that there is hope, and it can get better! Just have faith and take it one day at a time!