another 10 yr. anniversary

[Guest guest]

To All

I, too, have a 10-yr. anniversary that I mark on the 1st day

of spring. That was pretty much my diagnosis date. At the

1-yr. mark I started my own tradition of passing out

carnations to friends at this time in March. It made me feel

good & I was amazed at how happy people were to get this

simple flower & to be happy for me. 10 years ago I was on

this site every night. My fear was so great that I couldn't

do without the stories of others. I was a lurker for a long

time. Now I'm again a lurker--still buoyed by the stories of

others and the hope that goes out to all who come to this

supportive cml community.

This year--on April 24th--I'm having a huge party to

celebrate 10 yrs. of life after leukemia. (9yrs. of

remission) We're having an open house at a banquet room in

the town(PA) Symphony Orchestra building. There will be

flowers, piano music, drinks and h'ors d'ouvres and cookies,

lots of cookies, and carnations for guests to take home. All

my children--4--and their spouses--2--and 4 beautiful

grandchildren can be there plus my sister & 2 brothers and a

great number of friends because I'm lucky enough to have a

great number of friends.

The recent tough times will recede for the day. I had sugery

on March 16th to remove a mass from my kidney. The dr. had a

great description of the procedure: said the mass was like a

golf ball setting on a tee & all he had to do was a chip

shot. I love it when they think the job is easy. He took

about 5% of the kidney; high chance of malignancy but said

the magic word " cure " for the surgical result. I'm

progressing steadily in a recovery that should take 1 month.

Am still on vicodin but I do well on it and think I can make

the switch to extra-strength tylenol after the weekend.

Yesterday's news was that my sister has small cell lung

cancer. Devasting. Today's news is that the cancer is

limited to one lung & is responsive to treatment. Dazzlingly

Optimistic. Her dr. is optimistic. I told her that one of

her jobs is to make her dr. happy.

Signing off and wishing you all good things as you maintain

good health or walk the path to it. Wish you could all be at

my party. I'll be thinking of you--honest.

Best regards,

Ruth Marcon

dx March 2000

'mini' bmt July 2000

dli Oct. 2000

declared failed bmt

gleevec Nov. 2000

pcru Aug. 2001

We are not a perfect family but we circle the wagons when we

must. They're circled. And we have great hope that all will

be well.