RE: New member, Martha

[Guest guest]

I sure do miss those days of people chipping in, Lottie! We do have a wonderful

group here, though. It's been a blessing, a fount of information and a reality

check for me.

From: lotajam@...

Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2008 15:39:25 -0500

Subject: [ ] New member, Martha

Hello Martha, and welcome to the group. Yes, diagnosis is

usually by chance. I have only heard from one person who said they went to the

doctor because they thought they had leukemia. I was diagnosed at 67 (the

median age) in 1996. Every day I am encouraged more by being part of this goup

and keeping up with the latest scientific news. There are several web sites you

can visit and as Barb suggested, you can Google almost anything.

Most of the time the breaking news can be read here first. This is an

equal opportunity disease. LOL I have heard from parents of small children,

adult children and wives whose spouses won't go near a computer, or are too shy

to ask for help. Occasionally we have husbands who write on behalf of their

wives. So you can see we are very diverse - young, old and everything

inbetween. LOL. If you only suffer from puffy eyes, you are in a good place.

After reading several weeks worth of posts, you will see that many continue

to work and continue their educations. This is no time to give up, but the time

to put your dukes up and fight. I regard the members as my neighbors. When I

was a youngster, I remember when someone was sick or there was a death in the

family, all of the neighbors would come and lend a hand. Some would wash

clothes, other would bring food and others would take the children to their

homes until the crises was over. When someone announces they are a new member,

we rally around them with our own personal positive experiences to give you hope

for the future. Stay focused on the positive and continue to learn as much as

you can about CML, it's not the worst thing that can happen to you.

Blessings and peace,

Lottie