Information Specialist, Nurse and CML Survivor Becky Dame

Today we are  joined by Becky Dame, currently an Information Specialist at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, RN and Survivor. As Peggy says in the podcast, callers who end up talking to Becky must feel like they've hit the information jackpot.  Becky is a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) survivor who went on to become a cancer care nurse, before she transitioned to her current role.  Today, we tap into her wealth of personal and professional experience.Becky was diagnosed as a college student in 1991, and received her first bone marrow transplant in 1992.  At this time, she felt called to be a nurse and changed from a music major to nursing school, marrying her husband on the day she graduated.  For 18 years, she went through cycles of relapse, always on the lookout for the newest treatments for her disease.  Then, in 2010, she received a matched unrelated donor (MUD) transplant, and was able to break that cycle.  Today, however, Becky battles Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD).In 2017, she joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, where she says it's her goal to share her "pearls" of wisdom with patients, caregivers, and anyone else that she can find commonalities with. Becky speaks to the importance of finding a primary caregiver --transplant is not a journey you can go at alone.  Also, plan to be out of work for at least a year - and we cover some resources available to patients. There are also practical tips in today's podcast, such as why wearing a button-up shirt to the hospital can be a clutch move.Finally, Becky reflects on her journey, saying there's nothing she would change, feeling like everything happens for a reason, and now she's here to help others.The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for One-on-One Supporthttps://www.lls.org/patient-support, 1-800-955-4572Other ResourcesNational Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKnbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.Thank you to this season's sponsors:The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, www.lls.orgSanofi: https://www.sanofi.com/   National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/Check out our valued nbmtLINK resource books, some for sale, some free as downloadable, https://www.nbmtlink.org/shop/nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINKFollow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  It is crucial to consult directly with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical conditions, treatment options, or other health concerns.The views and opinions expressed by the speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the nbmtLINK.  Unless otherwise stated in an official policy, the nbmtLINK does not endorse any specific treatments, products, or services mentioned by the speakers. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.The Marrow Masters Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.