The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Community : Thread List - Alumni

I am looking for members in Mississippi...

communityreply@lls.org — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:11:12 GMT

I would like to train with other members around the Hattiesburg and gulfport area.

First Time Mentor

rabbatbr@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:05:34 GMT

I am so excited for this "winter" (I live in south florida) season. First time mentoring, doimg third TNT event, The Disney Marathon January 2010.

Any feed back from past mentors?

Triathlon T-Shirts on Sale for Fund Raising

lynnkweiss@gmail.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 21:02:03 GMT

Hi fellow Team and Trainers,

My friend Liz and I participated in the Memphis in May triathlon this weekend and loved the experience, however we have fallen short on our fundraising. We have made some beautiful shirts that are specifically for fund raising. Please if anyone is interesting in assisting us reach our goal and purchase a t-shirt contact me at lynnkweiss@gmail.com

Thanks for everyone's support in advance.

Lynn Weiss

Long Island Chapter

Live In No. Cal, Working in NYC, Training for Rome '08 Marathon - Help Please!

mlmccamey@yahoo.com — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:59:27 GMT

Hi Team!

I currently live in San Mateo, CA and am working in NYC every other week for the next 3-4 months. I will be training for the Rome '08 Marathon (an alumni from the '07 Rome Marathon!) and would love to connect with NYC Team Members for walk and walk/run training. Any suggestions or takers out there?

Thanks,

Marjorie McCamey

650/218-0764 - Mobile

Santa's Christmas Miracle ( A True Story)

just1can@live.com — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:51:00 GMT

Do you believe in angels? You should because you are.

Read this, a dear friend sent this to me after the Retired US ARMY Col stopped crying. Then I decided to post it when I stopped. It is a true story and why we can't give up. Too many people out there need our help.

Three years ago, a little boy & his grandmother came to see Santa at theMayfair Mall in Wisconsin . The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl.

"Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?"

"Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, & saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed.

"She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful & encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him forChristmas.. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, & started to say something to Santa, but halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.

"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but .." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.

"The girl in the photograph.... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has leukemia & isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa . any possible way that you could come see Sarah? "That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."

Santa blinked & swallowed hard & told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, & he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do.

"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the least I can do."

When Santa finished visiting with all the boys & girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get toChildren's Hospital.

"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day.

"C'mon.... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.

Rick drove them to the hospital & came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door & saw little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother & the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.

And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, & Santa could sense the warmth & closeness of the family, & their love & concern for Sarah.

Taking a deep breath, & forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes in tact.

Santa rushed to her side & gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder & excitement. Her skin was pale & her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, & he had to force himself to choke back tears.

Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps & quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he & Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes.

Santa & Sarah talked & talked, & she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.

As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, & asked for permission from the girl's mother.

She nodded in agreement & the entire family circled around Sarah's bed,holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah & asked her if she believed in

angels.

"Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.

"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes & prayed. He asked that God touch little Sarah, & heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch & keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night.... all is calm, all is bright."

The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, & crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all.

When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again & held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own.

"Now, Sarah, "he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, & that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, & I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"

He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa! "Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down & kissed her on the forehead & left the room.

Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them & they wept unashamedly.

Sarah's mother & grandmother slipped out of the room quickly & rushed to Santa's side to thank him.

"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do."

They nodded with understanding & hugged him.

One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by & then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"

"Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her.

After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.

"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.

Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, & he grabbed this little miracle & held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long & silky & her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over & saw Sarah's mother & grandmother in the sidelines smiling & waving & wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever forSanta Claus. He had witnessed and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive & well. He silently looked up to Heaven & humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!

Thank you for making Mircales like this come ture.

Merry Christmas

JP Crazy Ken Melbourne Florida

PS. If you have a Miracle, story of inspiration or hope please reply and shear it.

LLS STAIR CLIMB on the east coast

kevinkeating221@verizon.net — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:09:32 GMT

Does anyone know where I start to organize a LLS FIREFIGHTER STAIR CLIMB on the east coast. THANKS for all help and information.

How many out there are from the 2005 season?

wbayercpc@hotmail.com — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:15:02 GMT

After completing a couple events with TNT, I'm contemplating signing up for another event this year now that I have a better work schedule. Wondering how many are still working hard to support the cause from the 2005 season and which events they are taking on this year?

My story - from a chemo chair to the finish line of the Disney Marathon.

harmon12@comcast.net — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 03:19:27 GMT

I was diagnosed with stage IIIA Hodgkin's lymphoma in early 2004. Hearing it for the first time was a very surreal moment. I thought that the Doctor was talking about someone else at first, then I looked at the tear rolling down my wife's face, and I knew it was me. I've always been a very physically active person; just six months before this, my two awesome kids and me had earned our 1st Degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do. I've always been a fighter, and it was very hard to have to step back and go into treatment, but it was time fight a different fight. I was afraid, but I knew I would win this one, I knew I'd be fine.

I underwent six cycles of ABVD (chemo) and two additional cycles of ABV. (Those last two were without the Bleomycin, which has harsh side effects and has given me some difficulties.) Each cycle consists of 2 chemo treatments. I would get a treatment and wait two weeks to recover, and then get another. I did have a mediport put in for the chemo. After all that, I underwent 40 cycle's of radiation therapy, which was not as bad as the chemo. All this took a little over a year. (This is the short "clinical" version of the whole treatment experience.) And I must say, I had a lot of family support and I tried to keep a positive attitude the entire time.

Right after my treatments, my oncologist explained to me that because of the advanced stage of my lymphoma at the time it was diagnosed, my chances of recurrence was about 60%. (60/40...I took it, I liked my chances) He also said that the further out I get from my last treatment the lesser the chance of recurrence. My percentages would have been different of course if I were originally diagnosed at a lower stage. (And at a younger age too) I'll be following up with CT/PET scans and lab work and what ever else over the long term. I'm down to once a year now and my 5-year mark is coming up soon.

It's been over to three years since my last treatment and I'm doing well. I was getting easily fatigued and a little short of breath for a while, (thanks to the Bleomycin) and I have also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which simply means that my thyroid gland has slowed down to the point of almost non-function. (thanks to the radiation) So I now have to take a levothyroxine drug, Synthroid, and I will be taking this or some type of medication for the rest of my life. I'm also using a treatment for low testosterone, AndroGel® (also thanks to the radiation treatment and/or chemotherapy), and I regularly get B-12 shots. Plus I am taking vitamin supplements and I'm very careful about my regular eating habits. So with all things considered, I'm doing well for 43 years young. Well enough to have trained for the 2009 WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training.

I completed the marathon on the 11^th of January 2009, and I raised over $5000.00 along the way. And collectively, all of the Team In Training (TNT) participants raised more than $7 million at the WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend. This took alot of determination by everyone involved and it was a tremendous accomplishment that will go a long way towards helping LLS fight blood cancers.

I have come to believe that my personal survivorship is a gift from God and I am trying my best to make the most of it. This awareness of how fortunate I am is a big part of what drives me to do the things I do.

I don't mind sharing my experience. There's been so much in a relatively short time; it sometimes overwhelms me to think back over it all. But I am continuing everyday to get better physically, mentally, and spiritually. I volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and also the American Cancer Society. That has become my new medicine.

In the days since returning from the Disney Marathon Weekend, it's been back to work and the same day-to-day stuff, life goes on. I have most of my pictures from the Marathon and I am gonna post them on Myspace plus I'll be writing all about the weekend experience in a blog... but I gotta catch my breath first!!! It was such a whirlwind and I'm still processing it all. Completing that marathon brought me full circle, as I started as the "honored patient" for the 2008 Disney Marathon. So it meant a lot to me on many levels.

Now I'm back to my role as the "honored patient" for the next Team In Training season so I've been speaking to potential new "heroes" at info-meetings the first three nights since my return. Hey, it's only fitting. The fight against cancer goes on, it doesn't end just because I ran a marathon. And on the 30^th of January 2009, I will have laparoscopic surgery to obtain a biopsy on lymph nodes in my abdomen to find out if my personal fight goes on as well.

You see, my wife and I saw my Oncologist in early December regarding my recent PET/CT scan and the news wasn't good. I had truly expected that scan to be normal. It was my first CT/PET scan since last year. My oncology doctor moved my scans to once a year due to the continued improvement that I had experienced since finishing treatments in April of '05. I had come a long way from chemo and radiation to marathon training.

These are quotes from what that report said:

"Abdomen/Pelvis: There has been an interval increase in size and interval development of hypermetabolic activity in a few right-sided mesenteric lymph nodes (SUV max 5.3, SUV average of liver 2.5). Physiologic radiotracer distribution is seen in other portions of abdomen and pelvis. There are no other enlarged or FDG-avid abdominopelvic lymph nodes, or any other soft tissue lesions."

And......

"IMPRESSION:

1. Interval recurrence of lymphoma a few right-sided mesenteric lymph nodes.

2. No other PET or CT evidence of malignancy."

So, in plain English it seems that even though I have been feeling the best I've felt in years, the cancer may be back. Ain't life grand?!

Hearing that news was like DeJaVu all over again! But at such a surreal moment, what is a person supposed to think? To say? To feel? The first time, when I was originally diagnosed, Believe it or not one of the first thoughts I had was " I don't have time for this, I have a Tae Kwon Do tournament this weekend! There's no way in hell I'm missing it!"

Was I crazy?! I wasn't thinking "I'm going to get sick and maybe die!" or "Why me?!" Just "What about my tournament?!"

Then I thought about my kids, Eric & Marie. I gotta be a dad to them. I thought of my wife too. I don't have time for cancer! I gotta life to live! I DON"T HAVE TIME FOR CANCER!!!

Well, this time it was "What about my marathon!" Still crazy after all these years!

So, the plan is to have the laparoscopic surgery, but not until after Christmas and the Disney Marathon!!! Doctor's orders! Then based on those results, proceed with the appropriate treatments.

So I haven't forgotten, and I never will. One mile at a time, until we reach the finish line. A CURE!

GO TEAM!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/nfl/wdw09/aharmon

2 COACHES THAT HELPED ME DURING WDW MARATHON '09

harleydmcgorry@verizon.net — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:47:16 GMT

I JUST WANTED TO TRY TO FIND THE COACHES THAT HELPED ME AT THE END OF THE WDW MARATHON. I THINK THEY WERE FROM ONE OF THE FLORIDA CHAPTERS. I WAS TALKING TO A FELLOW CHAPTER MEMBER FROM I THINK SOUTH FLORIDA CHAPTER "ELLEN" AND THEY CAME UP AND THEY KNEW HER. THEY CRACKED A JOKE SAYING THAT SHE WAS A TROUBLEMAKER AND DON'T TALK TO YOU, JOKINGLY OF COURSE. I SAID TO THEM I NEEDED A LITTLE HELP TO GET TO THE FINISH LINE AS MY QUADS WERE SO TIGHT IT WAS SOO HARD TO RUN. THEY HELPED ME NOT TO THE TOTAL END BUT TO ALMOST THE END. I JUST WANT TO THANK THEM SOO MUCH BECAUSE THEY DID HELP ME IMMENSELY TO FINISH. THEY JUST CHEERED ME ON. I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TELL THEM PERSONALLY AND NOT ON A BLOG LIKE THIS. PLEASE IF YOU ARE ONE OF THEM, I BELONG TO THE WNY & FINGERLAKES CHAPTER HERE IN NEW YORK. IF YOU KNOW THESE GUYS, PLEASE TELL THEM.

Roll call - Where do you train?

eric@rbslaw.net — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:12:24 GMT

On another message board I post to regularly, every now and then we do a roll call to see where everyone who posts is located, so I thought I would try such a post here.

I live in Columbia, MD and train with the Howard County Team of the Maryland Chapter. This is my 4th year with the Team and my wife's 9th year.

So how about you?

Eric

San Diego RNR

coach4u2iam@yahoo.com — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:12:25 GMT

Looking for friends from the Fresno Team who I met while running the marathon. Im from bakersfield and I was running for my son Josh. It was around the 12th mile I ran into some girls that were awesome and encouraged me to keep going! Can't remember your names sooooo... help me out here!!