I "met" Shahonna when we made the Good Blood video. She also often appeared on many of the Aplastic Anemia facebook pages I follow. One night, she posted she was thinking about going to NIH to participate in an transplant study. She was looking for resources - a place to stay and caregiver in Bethesda. Since I live near Bethesda, I offered to help. An instant internet friendship was formed. She was in awe of my ability to put on my boots and jump in when my 18 month old was diagnosed and got her transplant. I was in awe of her ability to fight for 23 years, her never give up attitude and her pep (as my 10 year old put it).
Over the months that followed, it became apparent that her recovery should happen at my house, 36 miles from NIH. My family has already done the post transplant routine, germ patrol, timed medications, blood draws, we were experienced as Shahonna's doctors put it.
She encountered many delays in transplant but on July 19, she was admitted to NIH. On July 27, Aimee and I stood by her side as her new cells went in. We sang Happy Birthday and promised her cake when she was able to eat again. That day was supposed to be the start of something great.
She rode the rollercoaster of recovery for 11 days until her heart, damaged from the transplant preparation, went into cardiac arrest. From there, her organs began to struggle and she developed a fungal infection. She passed away, on her terms and not a moment before she was ready, on July 17, 2016.
"Come in, sit down, and don't leave until you have taught me all I need to know". Rest in peace and with a healthy body, my friend. I will carry on your legacy.
