Hi Marcie, I have been a CML patient since 19997, started on Interferon then 
got on Gleevec as soon as it was approved here in the states. After about one 
year they couldn't find any trace of the cancer, what a wonderful gift God had 
given me. At first I didn't notice any different side effects than I'd had on 
interferon the tingling in my feet and numbness was still there as were the leg 
cramps at night. I was still working at that time and then the cramps came more 
often and were more severe, they also lasted longer than before some times for 
20 minutes and longer. Then I had my first eye bleed, I worked as a Conductor 
on a commuter train in Chicago and a passenger asked what happened to your eye. 
I had no clue what he was talking about so he said that the white part of my 
eye was completely red. Now that was great news early in the morning! I was 
amazed that I never felt it, had no idea what I looked like because it wasn't 
that way before I left the
 house. Now my hands, back, even the sides of my neck and legs cramp. But as we 
warriors say life goes on and it's still great to be here!  We must never give 
in to this disease we are fighters and the war goes on. I look at all the 
advancements that have been made since being DXed and am so happy for those 
having been made some day there will be the advancement we all pray for and no 
one else will have to suffer with this any more! 18s to all you fellow warriors 
as well as my prayersJim Rodeghier      

--- On Sun, 4/28/13, margoo...@aol.com <margoo...@aol.com> wrote:

From: margoo...@aol.com <margoo...@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CMLHope] AND THEN IT'S WINTER.
To: cmlhope@googlegroups.com
Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013, 8:33 AM


Dearest Marty:

 

So beautifully written and I totally relate in many ways.  In my head, I'm 
still pretty young, my 30s, except for the fact that years on Gleevec have 
impacted my short term memory.  I will turn 61 on May 7th and most days my body 
feels like I am 161.  I do work full time in a high stress job because it is in 
politics.  You can only imagine.  I also wrote Maryland's landmark bullying 
prevention bill and I serve as the Maryland Director of Bully Police USA, a 
national advocacy group that monitors state and federal anti bullying laws.  As 
if all of that isn't enough, I am a lieutenant in the Maryland Defense Force, 
backup to the Maryland National Guard.  We are not armed but a group of 
volunteers who provide services such as free medical, dental and legal care to 
members of the MNG and we kick in to help when there are storms and such with 
providing food, transportation, etc. to those who are in need, in Maryland and 
other states (such as when
 Katrina hit).

 

When I was diagnosed, I decided that CML was not a death sentence but a chance 
to live my life and make every day count.  It has been at times a very tough 
road, as I had a mini stroke in April of 2010.  It left no lasting imprint but 
it was very scary.  My husband had a widow maker heart attack but he is a 
walking miracle.  My mom passed away and April 3rd was the first anniversary.  
She spent 6 1/2 years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes.  My 64 year 
old brother in law died suddenly in July and one month ago my 92 year old dad 
had a stroke.  He has made no progress, in fact he is worse, and is no in 
permanent long term nursing care.

 

Despite all of this, life is a wonderful thing.  We also see people and wonder 
"do we look like that?"  But it is so joyful to wake up every day and know that 
my husband, the kindest and most wonderful man I know, has woken up and that 
the other important people in my life have as well.  I feel so blessed by the 
many great things in my life and one of them is that I am on this site with 
such incredible people like you.

 

I pray for all of us and as promised, your note will go in the Wall when we go 
to Israel (God willing) on May 21st.  You should be named a national treasure!

 

18s to you.

 

Marcie





-----Original Message-----

From: Marty Gartenberg <wa2...@gmail.com>

To: CMLHope <CMLHope@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Sun, Apr 28, 2013 7:46 am

Subject: [CMLHope] AND THEN IT'S WINTER.









MY LIFE HAS BEEN AN ADVENTURE OF SORTS, AND THEN IT'S WINTER.



You know. . . Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware 

of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just 


married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it 

seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that 

I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my 


hopes and dreams.



But, here it is... The winter of my life and it catches me by 

surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and 

where did my youth go? I remember well
 seeing older people through the 

years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and 

that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully 

what it would be like.



But, here it is... My friends are retired and getting grey... They move 


slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse 

shape than me... But, I see the great change... Not like the ones that 

I remember who were young and vibrant... But, like me, their age is 


beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see 

and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a 

shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat 


anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I 

just fall asleep where I sit!



And so... Now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for 

all the aches and pains and the loss of strength
 and ability to go and 

do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, 

that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will 

last... This I know, that when it's over on this earth... Its over. A 


new adventure will begin!



Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... Things I 

should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have 

done. It's all in a lifetime.




So, if you're not in your winter yet... Let me remind you, that it will 

be here faster than you think.  So, whatever you would like to 

accomplish in your life please do it quickly!  Don't put things off too 


long!!  Life goes by quickly.   So, do what you can today, as you can 

never be sure whether this is your winter or not!   You have no promise 

that you will see all the seasons of your life...  So, live for today 


and say all the
 things that you want your loved ones to remember... 

And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that 

you have done for them in all the years past!!



"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to those who 


come after. Make it a fantastic one.



LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY



Remember: "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and 

silver.



LIVE HAPPY IN 2013!




LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, 
YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO -- ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

18's
Marty






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