My experience with Dream Team changed me from within. I worked with 2 young kids, Hannah and Denis. Both little heros were inspiration to me. At many occassions Hannah and I were neighbors as we were both were recieving chemo at the same time. I had heard her cry with pain many times, but I never heard her complain. I know many adults in my life, who'd complain at the drop of the hat, when the weather turns gray, or just because the lineup at the grocery store was little too long. I adored her for her quite strength and brave battle she put to fight her disease. When I lost her to cancer, I had lost a little sister.
May 7, the final day of Tour d Nortel was also my last day out of the hospital before I went back on May 8, 2006 to start a strong conditioning chemo regimen as I had relapsed a few weeks ago. Bad news come in bunches. Less than 9 weeks into treatment, I relapsed again in July while on chemo and to save my life I needed a transplant asap. Soon the next bad news came we do not have a match in the registry for me. We ended doing Stem Cell Transplant, which I got from my own sick body.
This is when I got to really know Denis. No, Denis was not getting transplant with me, infact he was 300 Kms away. Denis had relapsed a year ago and went through transplant. As I lay on hospital bed, getting my transplant, this is when I really got to know him. I connected with him, knowing the excruciaing physical pain his little frail body had endured, just like mine, pain became our connection.
What struck me about Denis was his passion for sports. He wanted to get well and play again. His wide eyed smile and fun loving personality made the experience so much more worthwhile.
I love and respect true troopers, Denis and Hannah, time spent with them are my most precious memories.
Manasvi
