anniversary

[Guest guest]

To All

It's been a long time since I posted--a sign that I am

feeling " normal " now that I am 8 years from my cml

diagnosis. I still subscribe to the lists and enjoy seeing

the names of the oldies and " meeting " the newbies.

I was diagnosed in the Spring of 2000 at age 57; had a mini

sct that failed to bring remission; started Gleevec in

November 2000; reached remission in September 2001. It took

till my second year of remission to feel true relief. After

reaching remission I still worried " What if it comes back? "

I always thought this at bedtime & then had trouble falling

asleep (even though I took ativan & ambien for a year). Then

one night--for whatever reason--when I asked myself that

same question, the answer was " If it comes back they'll do

something about it. "

And so they have for those who cannot respond to Gleevec.

Who could have imagined that the research would produce more

options for treatment and better outcomes for sct's?

The list was a lifeline for me in the beginning of my

illness. And these many years later it remains a source of

comfort and encouragement. No one needs to suffer in silence

or be scared all their waking hours.

My anniversary celebration: The Spring of 2001 I began

marking my diagnosis by passing out carnations to family and

friends, to vendors at the Farmers' Market, to the women at

the coffee shop & at the bookstore where I get my NY Times.

It makes us all happy & grateful that we've all marked

another year. And it's a joy for me.

I would love to hear from the first Spring Fling group and

from the Niagara Falls group. If any one of you is reading

this, please write me at marcon@....

I hope that this note will be a source of hope for those not

in remission and a confirmation for those who are. Please

withhold any praise for me--I did what I was told & was

lucky that the chemistry worked for me. There were lots of

times I didn't have a great attitude & I can still be my

gloomy self more than several days a year. I probably

shouldn't end with this sentence, but that's my reality.

Some people share that reality and some don't. But we are

all joined by adversity and understand each others'

frustrations and fears, sorrows and joys. We are in

community. And that is a wondrous thing.

My very best regards to those of you who know and to those

who don't

Ruth Marcon

tow, PA