Lorri and Her Cancer Caregiver Army - It Takes a Village

In this episode, we sit down with Lorri Pimentel of Santa Rosa, California, a resilient survivor who shares her deeply personal journey through breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and a life-saving bone marrow transplant. We explore not only the medical milestones but also the practical and emotional realities of navigating treatment and recovery, especially in the context of caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lorri opens by walking us through her diagnosis timeline: first with DCIS breast cancer in 2016, followed by an AML diagnosis in 2019. She underwent intense chemotherapy and, after a relapse, received a stem cell transplant in March 2021. Her story is not only one of medical complexity but also of personal upheaval—she was in the middle of a divorce and raising three children, with limited family caregiving options. Her caregivers were her friends and former work colleagues, who rotated week by week to support her recovery.

We dive into Lorri’s insights and hard-earned lessons about caregiving and post-transplant life. She stresses the importance of flexibility in caregiver scheduling, being prepared for early hospital discharge, and having a list of essential medical contacts readily available. She advises caregivers to undergo thorough training, keep detailed records for outpatient visits, and maintain strict medication management practices.

Lorri doesn't shy away from sharing her missteps. She discusses her experience with Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD), the dangers of sun exposure, and complications like mucositis and insomnia. Her tips—like using a water pick, prescription mouthwash, fluoride toothpaste, and avoiding self-medicating with cannabis—are based on lived experience. She also shares less obvious insights, such as the need for UV-protective clothing, avoiding rice leftovers, and managing dry eyes with serum-based drops not yet FDA-approved.

Transportation and social isolation were also major themes. Lorri emphasizes the importance of arranging reliable rides to appointments and finding indoor outlets for creativity and community. She found healing in watercolor art, music, yoga, and support groups. Her volunteer work with LLS, now Blood Cancer United, and NMDP reflects her dedication to mentoring others on the same path.

We wrap up by discussing Lorri’s present-day life. Now more than four years post-transplant, she’s active, creative, and grounded in gratitude. Her final message is one of hope and purpose: bone marrow transplant recovery is slow, but it’s life-changing, and each day is a gift worth sharing.

This season is sponsored by Sanofi: https://www.sanofi.com/

And Jazz Pharmaceuticals: https://www.jazzpharma.com/

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or [phone].

nbmtLINK Website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/

nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINK

Follow the nbmtLINK on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nbmtlink/

The nbmtLINK YouTube Page can be found by clicking here.

To participate in the GVHD Mosaic, click here: https://amp.livemosaics.com/gvhd

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