Last Tuesday, January 21, I received the infusion of my own stem cells that will build my new, properly functioning system. While I'm thrilled to simply call this another shot at life, the event is referred to as a "birthday" for HSCT patients. Dr. Burt and the nursing staff take time with each patient to do a sweet little party with small, thoughtful gifts. I got an oatmeal-raisin monster cookie. Yum!
In the past, I've tried to ignore my birthday, as if that will somehow keep me young. But each year, family, friends and other do-gooders remember, so I am gratefully forced to make an exception. If nothing else, it inspires me to thank my mother, and then go find a readable book. Here is a quote from one that feels appropriate for me, and other patients looking forward to brighter days.
“When adults say, "Teenagers think they are invincible" with that sly, stupid smile on their faces, they don't know how right they are. We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are. We cannot be born, and we cannot die. Like all energy, we can only change shapes and sizes and manifestations. They forget that when they get old. They get scared of losing and failing. But that part of us greater than the sum of our parts cannot begin and cannot end, and so it cannot fail.”
― John Green, Looking for Alaska
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