Well, dh has signed up for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. He will be doing the Rock n Roll marathon in San Diego in June (with me cheering him on). I have committed to him that every time he is going to a training session, I will either go to the gym or do a yoga tape at home. Some days, this will mean getting up at 6am!!! For me, that will be the struggle. I can't run due to bad knees (surgeries in the past), but I can help by doing my exercies "with" him. Also, it's probably not a good idea for both of us to run a marathon on the same day - someone needs to be coherent at the end. I'm hoping this will jump start my exercise and help us continue our lifestyle change (and help us meet people who are trying to live a healthier lifestyle).

Each member is assigned an "honored hero", which is someone fighting a blood borne cancer. Dh's hero is Matthew, he is 5 and while he's in remission, he still has weekly maintenance treatments and daily pills. The almost creepy thing is that Matthew was diagnosed on 3/14/04 - 3/14 happens to be dh's birthday! So, while we may struggle, our struggle is nothing compared to Matthew. The other aspect of the training is that we are to raise money for the Society. It's a good charity (rated one of the top 10 charities by Money magazine). So, if anyone wants to help and make a donation, they can email me at missy@wehaveabrain.com and I'll give you a web site to donate.

I'm excited about the program and am starting to work really hard to raise the money needed. We met the heros today and while it was very emotional to hear about the struggles of several children (and adults) with their diseases, it made me feel very lucky and appreciate my health. I'm going to support my dh as much as I can and while I can't run, I'm going to help with the fundraising as much as I can. Even if you can't donate, please feel free to email me if you want more information about the program.

Mel

Good luck to him and you! It sounds like he won't be short on motivation.

bgmiami
Mine was Stage IV when diagnosed and it was in every lymph node in my body to the extent that they could not even install a port in my chest because the veins were so constricted by the swelling. I had it put in my upper arm. The chemo never made me sick, I would just be tired the second day after a treatment. I had one every other week. I had a port in my chest for the bone marrow transplant. It stayed in for 2 years (I am told they usually only last a matter of months). Since I was in remission I was able to be my own donor so I didn't have to wait for a donor or risk rejection. It took 4 years for the marrow to grow completely back in and I still do not produce enough of the white cells (infection fighters) to work in an office setting or be in large crowds like concerts, or the mall at Christmas.

I wish him luck.

Brenaumom,

Congrats on your 5 years in remission!

My BIL has non-agressive, non-hodgkins lymphoma. His first 2 go arounds on chemo were with oral meds. Very few side effects and he went into remission both times and remained in remission for about 2 years each time. Last time his treatment was more agressive and he had 6 months of IV chemo. More debilitating. His docs feel this is a very slow growning type of lymphoma, and that he will probably spend the rest of his life going in and out of remission. A bone marrow transplant isn't even an option yet. It will be, however, if his lymphoma keeps progressing.

quote:

Originally posted by bgmiami:
My BIL is now in remission from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This is his 3rd go round with this horrible disease.

Has your BIL considered seeing if he is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant? I have been in remission 5 years this year. Every case is different so what worked for me might not work for him. If you want me to tell you my experiences you can e-mail me at comcast dot net and use BrenauMom-CT before the Comcast.

Mel,

What a wonderful thing your DH (and you) are doing! My BIL is now in remission from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This is his 3rd go round with this horrible disease.

You are so right when you say that our struggles are nothing compared to what these adults and children are going through.

That is so exciting, Mel! I think races like that one are incredible because your husband will get the satisfaction of the personal achievement as well as the true impact of the fundraiser. I love that you have committed to doing your own training with him. Has he done any races before?

Lynne

Mel,
Wonderful news! I'm so excited for you and your DH. I'm sure this will make 2006 an unforgettable year!

Peg

That's really cool Mel.

Dawn

Yeah Mel! Sounds like a great way to help with the motivation to exercise. : )

Lymphoma is what I had. Every year a DJ at our local country music station does one month of Fundraising for them. It is called "Rhubarb's March Across Georgia" Arby's allows him to use their parking lots at locations all around Georgia. The radio station does not pay him for the time he spends doig it, he does it on his own time after his shift is over at the station. I take him some money each year and he even remembers me. I will get in touch with you for that website.

That's awesome, Mel! This will be both an exciting and fulfilling time for you and dh. Good for you for stepping up to the challenge to go head-to-head with your dh to help him train and motivate yourself! You go, girl!