Happy Rebirth Birthday! Transplant Anniversary Day!

By Amanda Brunson

1 min read

It's another year and I am here to celebrate my 6th bone marrow transplant birthday! I am 6 years old in the bone marrow transplant world! I don't know about you, but I do my BMT birthdays BIG! I mean the cake, balloons, makeup, heels, a small get-together, and outfit! After all, I literally would not be here today if my unrelated donor didn't say yes to me and to saving my life!

I also celebrate because it took a village to get me back on my feet. I went from the lowest I've EVER been in my life to beginning to embrace every day. I am now able to take a fresh breath of air. How cool is it to be able to have two birthdays?! That has uniqueness written all over! So I just wanted to share my excitement, my rebirth birthday, and joy with you all, before the day ends!

I'm curious: does anyone else celebrate their BMT birthday? How do you celebrate? Have you been able to meet your donor? How did it go?

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Connie Connely Contributor
Tina Turner would be proud of your dress! You look cute. I love the idea of celebrating! Why wouldn't you? You are alive thanks to someone caring enough. 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Connie Connely" user-id="3639405"/> 🧡🎉🫂
2. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you 💞
Leya Elijah-Lyle Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Happy Birthday my dear!! I celebrate with you and I celebrate you!!! ((Hugs)) ~Leya Elijah - Blood Cancer Team Member~
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Leya Elijah" user-id="3654201"/> 🥺🥲🥰🫂 thank you!
Sophia Member
HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> ✨🐼🥂 (ICE) CONGRATS 🌻
Doreen Member
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Happy Birthday! What a wonderful celebration! Thanks for sharing your special day with us. ~Doreen (Team Member)
Paula Rosado Moderator
Happy rebirth day! How I would love to dance with you someday! Share some moves! Thank you so much for sharing with us. Muah 😘
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Maria Valente" user-id="3654780"/> I would so so so LOVE that‼️🥰😁✨💃🏾🥳💜
Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
Happy rebirthday!! I love your happy bubbly energy! I'm glad you were able to celebrate with your loved ones <3 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Katelynn Bauer" user-id="3653385"/> 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂💞
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Happy 6th birthday! You are so cute!! Your dress is amazing and I loved your dance. I’m so happy you get to have this second birthday every year. I can’t wait to see your video telling us about what it was like to meet your donor! Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
Thank you 🧡🐼
skikam1 Member
Happy 6th birthday!!! I'll hit 4 years this June and can't wait. I was slow to embrace my re-birth for fear I'd jinx it, but my kids always make sure it's a happy day. Hope yours was awesome!
Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> I absolutely adore your spirit, and happy rebirth day!!! 🎈🎈🎈I don't celebrate my own because I don't have the same feelings you do that it saved my life, but maybe I should! I LOVE your dress! It was such a traumatic experience for me that I just don't want to remember it. But I also don't celebrate my regular birthday either. I sure hope you get to meet your donor soon. What a magical moment that will be!!! Keep being you and sharing that with the world. --Ramae (<a href='https://blood-cancer.com' target='_blank'>Blood-Cancer.com</a>, team member)
1. Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> It is October 24th. You are so dang sweet. 💕💕💕
2. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> making a mental note 📝 🧠 ✍🏾 Now💞🧡🐼
Susan Gonsalves Moderator & Contributor
Happy belated rebirth birthday. Your video made me smile so much and I was glad to see how much you enjoyed your special day. I hope you get to meet your donor one day--that would be pretty powerful but safety first. Just getting over COVID and it is no joke. Even though I have a chronic leukemia and no transplant, I do have a "cancerversary," that I acknowledge--basically the day I was officially diagnosed. It is not a happy day--but in some ways it kind of is because I can't believe how many years have gone by and I'm still here. Anyway, loved the video. Susan (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gonsalves" user-id="3653135"/> thank you 💜‼️ I love that you see the positive out of your negative. Cancerversities are not fun, but when you can look back on years from being diagnosed. That’s an AMAZING feeling 💗🫂🫂🫂🫂🎉How are you feeling now🫂I had Covid in January and mannnn was it the worst! That headache 🤕 was something REAL! It took a month in a half to completely get rid of those headaches and I felt weird for a while.