"Dyamond has inspired so many people including me. I am thankful for everything I have, and try not to take life for granted. Dyamond's story is so touching I decided to do an inquiry project on Dyamond and her diseases. "
In loving memory of
Dyamond Ott
April 25, 1993 - December 11, 2011
Dyamond Taylor Ott was born April 25, 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa to Diane and David Ott. She grew up in Ankeny and was a freshman in college. Dyamond's passion was dance. She was a part of the competition dance team at Nicole's School of Dance. She also loved spending time with Drew, her boyfriend of three years, hanging out with family and friends, going shopping and long foot rubs from her Unkie. She enjoyed family vacations and always looked forward to her yearly trip to Long Beach, CA. Dyamond was very luckily that she lived every day with her best friend, her younger sister Dallas.
Dyamond was a strong willed, incredibly beautiful soul that inspired many with her amazing attitude. She touched everyone's heart by always keeping her head held high and a smile on her face as she lived each day to the fullest.
Dyamond has had a very long journey. At the age of six she was diagnosed with a liver and a blood disease. Over the next 6 years, she had many tests and procedures done. However, she hadn't gone through this alone; her sister Dallas, at the age of two was diagnosed with the same liver disease. Dallas is now 14 years old and thankfully her
disease isn't progressing as Dyamond's.
When she was 12 years old, the transplant team at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE evaluated her. They discovered she had developed a kidney disease. She needed both a liver and kidney transplant.
At 12:05 a.m. on September 21, 2006, our phone rang and we were told that they had potential organs for her. She had very mixed feelings; Scared (major surgery-the unknown), Sad (knowing that a family had lost a loved one), Happy (I was getting a second chance at life), and Thankful (to the donor family). We got the confirmation
call at 3:30 a.m. to head to Omaha; she would be receiving both liver and kidney from the same donor.
One year after her transplants she had to have her spleen removed, as it was covered with pre-cancerous spots. She was lucky, as they caught it in time. Since then, they have been watching closely for PTLD (Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease)
On January 14th 2011, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She had surgery on February 1st to remove most of the cancerous tumor. She then endured 30 treatments of brain and spine radiation. She completed the radiation treatment and was 6 months cancer free.
November 26th 2011, she was diagnosed with PTLD (Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease). Her entire abdomen was full of cancer. She started chemo and two weeks later she lost her battle.
She was fortunate enough to meet her donor family and learned that her donor was an 11 year-old boy named Jacob who was hit by a car on his way home from school. She was grateful and gave thanks everyday to her donor family for her 'Gift of Life' and wanted everyone to remember that 'Life is a Gift'. Jacob was her hero!
Throughout all her years of health issues, she continued her studies as she was determined to graduate with her class. She even did two and a half years of her schoolwork at home with a tutor. In May 2011, she graduated from high school with her class. She planned on studying to become a Child Life Specialist and help sick kids from all her experiences. She enjoyed everyday to its fullest and always looked forward to everything that life had to offer.
http://www.youtube.com/myangelfoundation click on Organ Donation - A Recipient's
Tributes
"I am at Nicole's and I still remember a lot about dyamond including that she was such a great dancer "
"Hi. Im doing a presentation on organ donation, im 12 and dyamond is my hero. im sososososoooo sorry"
"to the family and friends of dyamond i know i dont know but i wanted to say im very sorry for what you are going through i know its hard losing somone you love dearly. i've lost my father not to long ago and i dont know my mother im 17 now and i was 10 when he died. your daughter is in good hands now she left her mark in this world and it was a good mark to. she is and always will be a beautiful girl. i hope you are doing well "
"To the Ott family..I am so sorry for you loss..Dyamond was so beautiful..You will be in my thoughts and prayers..She is in God`s hands now and will be watching over you always...Linda Watt"
"TO THE OTT FAMILY, i am 13 and my name is sophie so this was when dyamond had a kidney transplant right (i am also a dancer)? To be honest with you reading all these storys and the notes on drews facebook page i dont think i would myself be able to cope with a kidney and liver transplant at such a young age and still be really fun of life and happy so it just proves that you had a fighting soldier in your family that will be missed by many im sure she has inspired many. Her body may not be here but her soul lives on. R.I.P Dyamond Ott xxx "
"Ott Family, I am terribly sorry for your loss. I heard about this tragic event and tears builded up for two reasons. I know how it feels, I lost a cousin at the age of 14 this year due to Diabetes. Also the fact that Drew kept her in his heart, unlike most men wouldn't do. He is a true perfect boyfriend! "
"to the family! I am honestly sorry hearing about this! when i read this my heart dropped and i instally started crying! may God be with yall and RIP, She was a very beautiful young lady! "
"My condolences to the entire Ott family. I often heard about Dyamond and what a wonderful young woman she was through her aunt Donna. May you keep her memory close to your heart forever. I am sorry for your loss. Judy "
"Dyamond was one of the most courageous, optimistic and beautiful people I have had the great pleasure to meet. Her attitude inspired me every time I saw her in clinic. She was such a thoughtful and truly selfless young woman and I will never forget her. "
"We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your daughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless. Tony, Mary Anne and All the Sullivan's"
"Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Love Jon, Katie, Carter, and Logan Boeding"
"I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you through this difficult time and journey that you have been on and continue to be on. She was a beautiful child."
"diane, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. julie, eric, austin and anthony"
"We are so very sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. "
"Diane and Dave, Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in thought and prayer. You have our deepest sympathies on the death of your daughter. "
"So sorry to heard about Dyamond is was amazing girl with so much going for her...My heart goes out to the family...Much Love "
"Diane: I was so shocked to read in the paper this morning about Dyamond. I hadn't seen her since she was a little girl, but I often think about you and hoped things were going well. I know your whole family went through a lot with the health problems Dyamond had. I sincerely hope you can all feel strength and love from each other to get through these very hard times. We will pray for you all."