New member, Martha

[Guest guest]

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